Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular) specification (4XBI1)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular) exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular) specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular) (4XBI1) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Biology (Modular) aims to build learners’ understanding of biological patterns and themes while applying their knowledge in varied contexts. The course helps students acquire biological facts, concepts, principles, and practical skills. It fosters the ability to evaluate biological information, make reasoned judgements, and develop safe experimental and investigative techniques. Students also learn to interpret data, draw evidence-based conclusions, and assess experimental reliability. The course encourages logical problem-solving, clear communication using scientific vocabulary, and the application of mathematics in biological contexts. It provides a foundation for further biology study and related disciplines:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
1 The nature and variety of living organisms
- Characteristics of living organisms: nutrition, respiration, excretion, response, movement, internal control, reproduction, growth.
- Variety of living organisms:
- Eukaryotes: plants, animals, fungi, protoctists.
- Prokaryotes: bacteria.
- Pathogens: include fungi, bacteria, protoctists, viruses.
2 Structure and functions in living organisms: Part 1
- Organisation levels: organelles to systems.
- Cell structures and functions; plant vs animal cells; cell differentiation; stem cells in medicine.
- Biological molecules: elements in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids; structure; food tests.
- Enzymes: role, temperature and pH effects; enzyme activity experiments.
- Substance movement: diffusion, osmosis, active transport; rate-affecting factors; practical investigations.
- Nutrition:
- Plants: photosynthesis, leaf structure, mineral requirements, experiments.
- Humans: balanced diet, digestive system, enzyme functions, absorption, energy requirements, digestion experiments.
- Respiration: ATP production, aerobic/anaerobic differences, respiration experiments.
- Gas exchange:
- Plants: diffusion, photosynthesis, stomata, net gas exchange, practical investigation.
- Humans: thorax structure, ventilation, alveoli adaptation, smoking effects, breathing experiments.
3 Structure and functions in living organisms: Part 2
- Transport:
- Plants: phloem, xylem, root absorption, transpiration, environmental effects, transpiration experiments.
- Humans: blood components, plasma functions, red blood cell adaptations, immune response, vaccination, clotting, heart function, heart rate, disease risk, blood vessels, circulation.
- Excretion:
- Plants: metabolism waste.
- Humans: lung, kidney, skin excretion; kidney function and structure, nephron details, filtration, reabsorption, osmoregulation, urine composition.
- Coordination and response:
- Organism responses, homeostasis, stimulus-response mechanisms.
- Plants: tropisms, auxin role.
- Humans: nervous vs hormonal systems, CNS, reflex arcs, eye structure and function, skin temperature regulation, hormone roles.
4 Reproduction and inheritance
- Reproduction: sexual vs asexual, fertilisation, plant pollination, fertilisation and germination, asexual methods, reproductive system structure, menstrual cycle, placenta, embryo protection, secondary sexual characteristics.
- Inheritance: genome, chromosomes, DNA/RNA structure, protein synthesis, alleles, dominance, codominance, polygenic inheritance, monohybrid crosses, pedigrees, sex determination, mitosis, meiosis, genetic variation, mutation, DNA changes, mutation effects, mutagen risks, natural selection, antibiotic resistance.
5 Ecology and the environment
- Organism-environment relationships: population, habitat, biodiversity, sampling investigations, abiotic/biotic factors.
- Feeding relationships: trophic levels, food chains/webs, energy transfer, efficiency.
- Ecosystem cycles: carbon and nitrogen cycles.
- Human impact: air/water pollution, greenhouse gases, global warming, eutrophication, deforestation.
6 Use of biological resources
- Food production: crop yield enhancement, pest control methods, role of microorganisms, industrial fermentation, fish farming.
- Selective breeding: plants and animals.
- Genetic modification: enzyme use, vectors, GMOs, transgenics.
- Cloning: micropropagation, cloned mammal production, transgenic animal applications:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Biology Unit 1: Written Exam
- 1h 40m, 90 marks, 50% of qualification.
- Assesses:
- The nature and variety of living organisms.
- Structure and functions in living organisms: Part 1.
- Question types: multiple choice, short answer, calculations, extended responses.
- Calculators allowed.
Biology Unit 2: Written Exam
- 1h 40m, 90 marks, 50% of qualification.
- Assesses:
- Structure and functions in living organisms: Part 2.
- Reproduction and inheritance.
- Ecology and the environment.
- Use of biological resources.
- Question types as in Unit 1.
- Calculators allowed.
Assessment Objectives
- AO1 Knowledge and understanding: 38–42%.
- AO2 Application, analysis, evaluation: 38–42%.
- AO3 Experimental skills, data analysis: 19–21%.
Assessment Model
- Modular format, units can be taken/re-sat in any order.
- Total grade awarded after "cash-in" process.
- Units contribute equally to the overall grade.
- Practical skills assessed through written exams; no practical coursework.
- Core practicals required as per content guidelines:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular) isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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