Question 1

What are Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Biology grade thresholds?

Accepted Answer

Grade thresholds are the minimum weighted marks you need for each grade in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (syllabus 0970). Cambridge calls them 'thresholds' rather than 'boundaries', but the idea is the same: they mark the cut-off for each grade after weighting. Cambridge sets them once marking is complete for the whole cohort: senior examiners review evidence from the exam series, compare performance with previous years, and recommend where each threshold should sit.

This syllabus uses the 9-1 grading scale that mirrors England's GCSE reform. Cambridge also offers the same content under the letter-grade variant (syllabus 0610) which reports as A*-G.

Question 2

Why are there several options (BX, CX, CY, etc.)?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge lets candidates sit different combinations of components (called 'options') for IGCSE Biology, so each combination has its own set of grade thresholds. The option you're entered for is decided by your school when they submit your entries, so check your statement of entry, or ask your teacher which combination you sat.

Options beginning B, C are Extended-tier routes (grades 9-1). Options beginning F, G are Core-tier routes (grades 5-1). The number after the letter refers to the components (Component 21 = Paper 21 and so on). Different components have different lengths and difficulty profiles, so the thresholds vary between combinations.

Question 3

Which series does this page cover?

Accepted Answer

This page pulls together Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Biology (0970) thresholds from June 2022 through June 2025, plus the November worldwide series for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Cambridge does not run the 0970 syllabus in the March (India) series; if you're an Indian centre sitting the March session, you're most likely entered for the letter-grade 0610 syllabus instead.

Question 4

What does 'weighted' mean on the maximum mark?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge scales the individual component marks before adding them up, so the total after weighting sits at the value you see in the 'max' column, not the sum of raw component maxes. The scaling gives each component its intended weight in the overall qualification, so a shorter Multiple Choice paper contributes less than a longer structured paper.

When you're scoring past papers, add up the raw marks from your papers, apply the scaling Cambridge publishes in the syllabus document, then compare the weighted total against the threshold on this page.

Question 5

When are the Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Biology thresholds published?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge International normally publishes grade threshold tables per syllabus within a few days of IGCSE results being issued each August. They land on Cambridge's grade threshold tables page as one PDF per syllabus.

We update this page shortly after Cambridge releases the tables, so you can look up your total against the fresh thresholds. Cambridge also runs November series for some regions; those thresholds publish on their own timelines.

Question 6

How should I use these thresholds when I'm revising?

Accepted Answer

Sit past papers timed, mark them against the official Cambridge mark scheme, and compare your weighted total to the threshold for your option. The gap between your score and the grade you're targeting tells you where to focus your revision.

A [Cambridge IGCSE Biology course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/biology/cie) can help you work through the syllabus systematically and score against the [past-papers library](https://cognito.org/past-papers) as you go.

Question 7

Can I use Cognito for Cambridge IGCSE Biology practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our [Cambridge IGCSE Biology course](https://cognito.org/courses/gcse/biology/cie) covers the syllabus with notes, quizzes and past papers. Pick the components your school entered you for and use the [past-papers library](https://cognito.org/past-papers) to time yourself against the real thing.

Series	Max	Grade 9	Grade 8	Grade 7	Grade 6	Grade 5	Grade 4	Grade 3	Grade 2	Grade 1
Jun 2025Latest	200	164	147	131	112	93	75	62	50	38
Jun 2024	200	166	150	134	115	97	79	65	52	39
Jun 2023	200	167	152	137	118	100	82	66	50	35
Jun 2022	200	160	145	130	113	96	79	62	46	30

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