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Cambridge · O Level

Cambridge O Level Biology

Biology for Cambridge O Level (syllabus 5090) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
5090
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
O Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge O Level Biology
Spec code
5090
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-18.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge O Level Biology (5090)

With an emphasis on human biology, the Cambridge O Level Biology syllabus enables learners to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Component-based qualification

Assessment components for Cambridge Biology 5090
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Multiple Choice 1h 40 30% Multiple choice
Paper 2: Theory 1h 45m 80 50% Written exam
Paper 3: Practical Test 1h 30m 40 20% * Practical
Paper 4: Alternative to Practical 1h 40 20% * Alternative to practical

* Candidates sit one of the components marked with an asterisk, not all of them.

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Same structure as O Level Chemistry 5070 and Physics 5054, independently re-confirmed from Biology's own source PDF (Assessment overview, p.9): Paper 1 Multiple Choice 1h/40 marks/30%; Paper 2 Theory 1h45/80 marks/50%; practical component is a choice of Paper 3 Practical Test (1h30/40 marks/20%) OR Paper 4 Alternative to Practical (1h/40 marks/20%), both externally assessed. Examination-series window 2026-2028 (June and November series); no separate first-teaching date published.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Biology (5090) assessed?

Cambridge Biology (5090) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) — 1h, 40 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Theory) — 1h 45m, 80 marks, 50% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Practical Test) — 1h 30m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification; Paper 4 (Alternative to Practical) — 1h, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification. It is a component based qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.

The subject

Biology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Biology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 19 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge O Level Biology (5090), for the 2026-2028 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 3 of 19 topics.

  1. 1 Cells

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Cell structure and function · Specialised cells, tissues and organs

  2. 2 Classification

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. 3 Movement into and out of cells

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. 4 Biological molecules

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Biological molecules

  5. 5 Enzymes

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Enzyme action · Effects of temperature and pH

  6. 6 Plant nutrition

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  7. 7 Transport in flowering plants

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  8. 8 Human nutrition

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  9. 9 Human gas exchange

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  10. 10 Respiration

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  11. 11 Transport in humans

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  12. 12 Disease and immunity

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  13. 13 Excretion

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  14. 14 Coordination and control

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  15. 15 Coordination and response in plants

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  16. 16 Development of organisms and continuity of life

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  17. 17 Inheritance

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  18. 18 Biotechnology and genetic modification

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  19. 19 Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2026-2028 series. Verified 2026-08-18. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Biology at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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