0893 — Science Past Papers

Cambridge uses grade thresholds (A*, A, B, C, etc.) which change slightly each year based on difficulty. For 0893 Science:

Past papers come with "Grade Threshold" PDFs. Use these to set personal targets. If the threshold says an A was 70/100 last year, aim for 80/100 in practice.

Cambridge examiners are consistent. When you review 3 to 5 years of past papers, you will see the same "command words" appearing: State, Describe, Explain, Predict, and Calculate.

Past papers train you to recognize what the question is actually asking.

A review of the last five years of 0893 papers shows a clear weighting:

If you are a student, parent, or educator navigating the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, you have likely encountered the code 0893. This unique identifier refers to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Science curriculum framework (Stage 7, 8, and 9). For students preparing for their end-of-year examinations or checkpoint tests, mastering the 0893 Science Past Papers is not just a study strategy—it is a necessity.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore why these past papers are crucial, how to use them effectively, a breakdown of the syllabus, and where to find the most reliable resources. 0893 Science Past Papers

Question 1: Cells and Organisms (a) Figure 1 shows a diagram of a typical animal cell. (Insert diagram of a cell with nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm)

(i) Label parts A and B on the diagram. [2]

(ii) Which part of the cell controls the cell’s activities? [1]

(iii) State one difference between an animal cell and a plant cell. [1] Cambridge uses grade thresholds (A*, A, B, C, etc

Question 2: Ecosystems A student investigates the population of woodlice in a garden. They use the capture-recapture method.

(i) Calculate the estimated population size of the woodlice using the formula: $$Population = \frac\textNumber in 1st catch \times \textNumber in 2nd catch\textNumber marked in 2nd catch$$ [2]

(ii) Suggest one reason why the population estimate might be lower than the actual population. [1]

Introduced as an update to the previous 1113 syllabus, the 0893 Cambridge Lower Secondary Science curriculum focuses on thinking and working scientifically. It moves away from rote memorization toward critical thinking, experimental design, and data analysis. Past papers come with "Grade Threshold" PDFs

The final assessment for Stage 9 (typically 14-year-olds) consists of two main papers:

Both papers test six key strands: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space, Thinking Scientifically, and Science in Context.