Sciences are best studied with plenty of hands-on experiences and practical investigations. This can be done, but if you cannot access all the materials or a laboratory for a practical examination, you can take an alternative to practical component as part of Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), and you can answer practical-based questions in both AQA GCSE Biology (8461) and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (9-1) (4BI1). That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the three courses, so read through the syllabus and the specifications and choose carefully.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE Biology, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Biology offered by Pearson Edexcel and AQA exam boards.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE Biology, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Biology offered by Pearson Edexcel and AQA exam boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments, read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE Biology (8461)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-biology-0610/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/international-gcse-biology-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-biology-0610/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/international-gcse-biology-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to exam board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
AQA GCSE Biology (8461)
- Fullick, A. (Ed.) & Ryan, L. (2016) AQA GCSE Biology, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9780198359371 [Endorsed]
- Pilling, A. & Beeby, J. (2017) AQA GCSE (9-1) Biology: Student Book. ISBN: 9780008158750 [Endorsed]
- Dixon, N. & Hodgson, A. (2016) AQA GCSE (9-1) Biology. ISBN: 9781471851339 [Endorsed]
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)
- Winterbottom, M. & de Winter, J. (2017) Approaches to learning and teaching Science: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781316645857 [Endorsed]
- Broderick, M. & Chadwick, T. (2015) Breakthrough to CLIL for Biology. ISBN: 9781107699830 [Endorsed]
- Kearsey, S. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Student Book, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9780007592524 [Endorsed]
- Kearsey, S. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Teacher Pack, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9780007592647 [Endorsed]
- Jones, M. & Jones, G. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Coursework with CD-ROM, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781107614796 [Endorsed]
- Young, G. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Maths Skills Workbook. ISBN: 9781108728126 [Endorsed]
- Broderick, M. (2016) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Practical Teacher's Guide. ISBN: 9781316611050 [Endorsed]
- Broderick, M. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Practical Workbook. ISBN: 9781316611036 [Endorsed]
- Burton. I. (2015) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9781107614499 [Endorsed]
- Jones, M. & Jones, G. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Teacher's Resource CD-ROM, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781107614963 [Endorsed]
- Jones, M. & Jones, G. (2014) Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Workbook, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781107614932 [Endorsed]
- n.a. (2005) Experiment Simulator CD-ROM: Experiments for IGCSE, GCSE and A Level. ISBN: 9781845651404 [Endorsed]
- Mackean, D. G. & Hayward, D. (2014) Hodder Cambridge IGCSE Biology, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781444176469 [Endorsed]
- n.a (2017) Kognity Cambridge IGCSE Biology. Available at: www.kognity.com
- Jones, M. (2017) Letts Cambridge IGCSE Biology: Revision Guide. ISBN: 9780008210311 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)
- Clegg, J. et al (2017) Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Biology: Student Book. ISBN: 978 0008236199 [Endorsed]
- Larkcom, E. & Delpech, R. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE Biology: Student Book,2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510405196 [Endorsed]
- Bradfield, P. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Biology: Student Book and ActiveBook. ISBN: 9780435185084 [Endorsed]
- Bradfield, P. & Potter, S. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Biology: Online Teacher Resource Pack. ISBN: 9780435185053 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE Biology
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSEs or GCSEs.. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/
There are plenty of useful revision topics, especially in the Additional Science category. Mini tests at the end of revision work can help the student consolidate knowledge, or find gaps. Teachers might find this site more useful to send students to when there is a specific topic to reiterate, or revise.
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs_2K8/
Virtual labs at your fingertips. This might be helpful if you want to practice skills without having to resort to buying all the materials.
http://www.cellsalive.com/
Quite an interesting site that shows mitosis and meiosis, for example. Mini quizzes on cell biology too.
http://www.biology-resources.com/
David Mackean’s site with PowerPoint presentations, experiments sheets to set up, with discussion and answers as well. A site I keep going back to, for ideas, and assistance with experiment set up.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/biology
There is a good revision section here for students.
http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com/us/
A subscription-based site, this is a good resource for virtual labs. The student works through the interactive lessons, and can ‘use’ lab equipment, take assessment tests, make notes and so on. The high school curriculum is being updated and improved all the time.
http://www.apchute.com/biolab/index.htm
Although this is aimed at AP Level in the USA, this is a site worth looking through by the teachers, as there are many useful exercises.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
This is a really comprehensive site, mainly for maths and science. Geared at students of all ages, it is a wonderful site for self-paced learning. Teachers can use the site for lesson planning or to supplement what they are doing. It’s also fun to earn badges for completion of skill levels.
http://www.biology-online.org/
This site has been visited countless times by students, for dictionary definitions of words and terms, tutorials and more. The site can be an excellent reference source for teachers and students.
www.sciencespot.net
An American site, this resource is split into various sections of biology and other sciences. It is a portal for other websites and materials, including lesson plans, worksheets and more. Worth having a look at, if you have something specific in mind to supplement your work.
www.scienceinschool.org/
A really comprehensive science research site, useful for teachers or students motivated and eager to learn more in the field of biology. Some really interesting articles posted and updated.
http://www.schoolscience.co.uk
What a great resource - it is like having a team of science teachers at your fingertips. Have a look at this site and try to decide which resources to use to supplement work or to extend a topic.
http://www.saps.org.uk/
This site gives examples of student projects in science and plants. Worth looking at for information or inspiration.
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/
An American based website for biology topics. This might be useful for students who like to research their information online.
http://www.biotopics.co.uk/
This site is full of information on a variety of biology topics. It is very information-dense so you need to take your time with it.
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/teachers
Investigations for selected biology topics by the Nuffield Foundation.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Lots of information about genetics, for the interested Biologist!
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.