The nature and variety of living organisms
Characteristics of life, then the eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi, protoctists), prokaryotes, viruses and pathogens.
Characteristics of life
Eukaryotes vs prokaryotes
Viruses & pathogens
Pearson Edexcel · 4BI1
Edexcel IGCSE Biology Past Papers with Answers (4BI1)
Every Edexcel International GCSE Biology question paper, official mark scheme and examiner report from 2019 to 2025 — Paper 1B, Paper 2B and the regional 1BR/2BR versions — organised so you can go from download to marked answer in one place.
2019–2025
seven exam years
1B + 2B
both written papers
150+
free PDF files
180
marks per series
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology Past Papers — 4BI1/1B & 4BI1/2B
Start with the paper you are revising for, then choose the year and exam series. Each set opens the question paper, the official mark scheme and the examiner report where Pearson published one. Regional 1BR and 2BR papers from the archive are included.
Selected Edexcel Biology downloads
Get this Biology paper solved with full model answersBrowse the full Edexcel Biology archive by year (2019–2025)
Biology Paper 1B vs Paper 2B — what changes between them
Both papers are written exams marked by Pearson and added, unscaled, to a total of 180 marks. The real difference is depth of content, not topic choice.
| Paper 1B 4BI1/1B | Paper 2B 4BI1/2B | |
|---|---|---|
| Length & marks | 2 hours · 110 marks | 1 hour 15 minutes · 70 marks |
| Weighting | 61.1% of the qualification | 38.9% of the qualification |
| Content tested | Core statements only — nothing in bold, no “B” reference | Everything, including the bold “B” statements that take sub-topics deeper |
| Question styles | Multiple choice, short answers, calculations, extended open response | The same mix — with the deeper B content fair game throughout |
| Topics drawn from | All five areas of the specification, on either paper — a calculator is allowed in both | |
The five 4BI1 topic areas — your revision route
Work through the specification in this order and tick sub-topics off as you finish past-paper questions on each one.
Structures and functions in living organisms
The biggest topic by far — cells, biological molecules and enzymes, movement of substances, nutrition, respiration, gas exchange, transport, excretion and co-ordination.
Cell structure
Enzymes
Diffusion & osmosis
Photosynthesis
Digestion
Respiration
Blood & heart
Kidney
Nerves & hormones
Reproduction and inheritance
Sexual and asexual reproduction in plants and humans, DNA and genes, monohybrid inheritance, variation and evolution.
Flower structure
Human reproduction
Genetic crosses
Variation & selection
Ecology and the environment
Organisms in their environment, feeding relationships, nutrient cycles and human influences on the environment.
Sampling & quadrats
Food webs
Carbon & nitrogen cycles
Pollution
Use of biological resources
Food production, selective breeding, genetic modification, and the cloning content that sits in the B statements.
Crop yield
Fermenters
Fish farming
Genetic modification
Micropropagation
Six command words that decide your Biology marks
Pearson defines every command word. These six cause the most lost marks in Biology answers — check the examiner report of any paper you attempt.
Describe
Give a developed account of what happens. No reason or justification is needed — adding one wastes time.
Explain
Reasoning is compulsory. Every point needs a “because” that links cause to effect.
Suggest
Apply what you know to an unfamiliar context. There may be more than one creditworthy answer.
Calculate
Obtain a numerical answer and show the working — working can rescue marks if the final value is wrong.
Evaluate
Weigh strengths and weaknesses using the evidence, then finish with a supported judgement.
Plot / Draw
Plot means accurate points and a line of best fit; Draw means a ruler or careful freehand diagram.
After the free papers — three ways to secure the marks
Built specifically for Edexcel International GCSE Biology 4BI1 students.
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Solved Edexcel Biology Past Papers
Every 4BI1 question answered in full — model responses, mark-by-mark working and video explanations.
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4BI1 Notes
Edexcel Biology Notes & eBook
Specification-led notes following the five topic areas, with the bold B statements clearly flagged.
Explore the Biology notes →
Best Value
Notes + Solved Papers Bundle
The complete 4BI1 package — full notes and every classified solved paper in one discounted bundle.
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Solved Edexcel Biology Past Papers
Every 4BI1 question answered in full — model responses, mark-by-mark working and video explanations.
See solved 4BI1 papers →
4BI1 Notes
Edexcel Biology Notes & eBook
Specification-led notes following the five topic areas, with the bold B statements clearly flagged.
Explore the Biology notes →
Best Value
Notes + Solved Papers Bundle
The complete 4BI1 package — full notes and every classified solved paper in one discounted bundle.
Get the full bundle →
Show additional free Edexcel Biology resources
Free revision lesson
Watch the predicted-questions and high-yield-topics video below.
Solved-paper sample
Open the interactive Biology sample only when you want it.
Live Biology classes
Join Edexcel-focused live tuition and exam preparation.
Specification checklist
Track every 4BI1 statement — core and bold B — as you revise.
Free Biology sample — see a full-mark answer built line by line
The sample loads only when you open it, so this page stays fast on mobile.
Preview solved Edexcel Biology questions
Compare the official marking points with a complete student-ready answer.
Or open the sample in a new tabWatch the revision lesson — predicted questions & high-yield Biology topics
Use this lesson after mapping the 4BI1 topics and before attempting a timed paper.
More free lessons on YouTube — Chem Bio by Hosni
How to revise with 4BI1 papers — a five-stage Biology method
Biology marks are lost to vague wording, not missing knowledge. This method attacks exactly that.
1 · Split core statements from bold B statements Paper 1B tests core only; Paper 2B can test everything.
- Turn the specification into a tick list, one line per statement.
- Highlight every bold B statement so it is planned into Paper 2B revision.
- Revise all five topic areas for both papers — neither paper skips a topic.
2 · Answer in mark-scheme language “It diffuses” scores nothing when the point is “oxygen diffuses down a concentration gradient”.
- After marking, rewrite each lost mark as a full marking-point sentence.
- Name the exact structure, molecule or process — never “it” or “the thing”.
- Keep a running list of the precise phrases mark schemes accept.
3 · Train the data and graph questions About a fifth of the marks test experimental skills and analysis.
- Practise percentage change, rates, magnification and surface-area-to-volume calculations.
- Quote figures with units when describing a graph or table.
- Know independent, dependent and control variables for every specification practical.
4 · Read the examiner report with every paper It tells you why reasonable-sounding Biology answers scored zero.
- Read it straight after self-marking, while your wording is fresh.
- Note the command-word errors and vague phrases examiners flag every series.
- Reattempt the worst question a week later from a blank page.
5 · Time the two papers differently 1B is a two-hour endurance test; 2B is a 75-minute sprint into deeper content.
- For Paper 1B, hold roughly a mark a minute across 110 marks.
- For Paper 2B, drill fast recall of the B statements before timing full papers.
- Track your combined score out of 180 series by series, not paper by paper.
Edexcel International GCSE Biology — FAQs
Do these Edexcel Biology past papers come with answers?
Yes. Every set in the picker links the official Pearson mark scheme alongside the question paper, and most sets also include the examiner report. For fully written model answers with working and video explanations, use the solved 4BI1 papers.
What is the difference between Biology Paper 1B and Paper 2B?
Paper 1B lasts 2 hours, carries 110 marks and tests only the core statements. Paper 2B lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, carries 70 marks and can test all content, including the bold B statements that cover some sub-topics in greater depth.
What are the 1BR and 2BR papers in the archive?
They are regional versions of Paper 1 and Paper 2 sat in different time zones. They follow the same structure and specification, so both versions are excellent practice whichever code your school enters you for.
Is there a practical exam in Edexcel IGCSE Biology?
No. Practical skills are embedded in the specification and examined through written questions, so you should be ready to plan investigations, identify variables, analyse data and evaluate methods on both papers.
How is the final 4BI1 grade worked out?
Paper 1B (110 marks) and Paper 2B (70 marks) are added without scaling to give a total out of 180, and grades from 9 to 1 are awarded on that combined mark.
The mark scheme shows the points. The solved papers show the answer.
Work through 4BI1 questions with complete model responses, mark-by-mark explanations and video walkthroughs written for Edexcel International GCSE Biology.
See the solved Edexcel Biology past papers
