0610 · Cambridge IGCSE
0610/22
(Multiple Choice, Extended)
Biology · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.4 / 5
160
180 min
Diffusion rates and experimental design
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation.
It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 testing structured experimental design through phototropism and diffusion investigations.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge wiAO2:
Weight: 3100%Handling infAO3:
Weight: 267%Experimental
Weight: 133%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Investigate” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Diffusion
21 marks this session
Sexual reproduction in humans
11 marks this session
Sense organs
10 marks this session
Photosynthesis
9 marks this session
Tropic responses
7 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Osmosis
Respiration
Enzymes
Biological molecules
Circulatory systems
Diffusion
Diseases and immunity
Excretion in humans
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 22 (Extended Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (Extended Theory):
Paper 62 (Alternative to Practical):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Diffusion
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSexual reproduction in humans
11 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSense organs
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPhotosynthesis
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTropic responses
7 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation.
- 2Message
It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 testing structured experimental design through phototropism and diffusion investigations.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Biology
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation. It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 test
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation.
It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 testing structured experimental design through phototropism and diffusion investigations.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation. It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 testing structured experimental design through phototropism and diffusion investigations.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 22 (Extended Multiple Choice):
Paper 42 (Extended Theory):
Paper 62 (Alternative to Practical):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
78% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Short Answer / Labelling
48·22·30%
Structured Description / Explanation
46·15·29%
Multiple Choice
40·40·25%
Experimental / Investigation / Drawing
26·8·16%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 22 Multiple C
0.89 m/minPaper 62 Alternativ
0.67 m/minTotal marks
80
Total time
105 min
Avg pace
0.76
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Homeostasis and Negative Feedback
88%88%
Diseases and Active Immunity
82%82%
Genetic Modification step-by-step sequencing
78%78%
Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 paper successfully balances straightforward factual recall with high-demand practical planning and mathematical interpretation. It sits at a moderate difficulty level (3 out of 5 stars), with Paper 42 requiring precise physiological terminology and Paper 62 testing structured experimental design through phototropism and diffusion investigations.
Where the Marks Are
A significant portion of marks resides in practical skill application and core physiology. Practical investigation pathways (specifically Diffusion in agar and Tropic responses) accounted for a massive share of the marks. In the theoretical papers, human physiology—specifically Sexual reproduction in humans (including placenta and uterine functions) and Sense organs (accommodation and retinal receptors)—represented critical high-yield areas where students could secure decisive advantages.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 45min
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.