Marine Science 0697
Explore seawater, marine organisms and ocean ecosystems. Connect scientific processes to fisheries, conservation and human impacts.
What you'll cover
- The Earth and its oceans
- Sea water
- Marine organisms
- Nutrients and energy
- Marine ecology
- Human influences on the marine environment
Published syllabus exam years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE Marine Science
2024–2026 and 2027–2029 Version 1
6 of 6 syllabus topic areas have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
All six Cambridge topic areas and 36 numbered syllabus sections are mapped to original teaching, worked examples, Guided, Independent and Transfer practice, with explanations and success criteria. Paper 1 assesses AO1 and AO2; Paper 2 assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3. AO3 practical skills account for 40% of Paper 2 and 20% of the whole qualification. The syllabus requires integrated practical work; the site can rehearse investigation reasoning and data skills but cannot replace the minimum practical activities, real organisms, lab or field supervision, safety procedures or teacher assessment. These are original StudyForA explanations and practice, not Cambridge questions, mark schemes or official grades. Paper 2 assesses practical skills in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. This course can rehearse planning, measurement, data handling and evaluation, but it cannot provide real laboratory or coastal-field experience, verify equipment use, certify safety, or award a practical mark. Follow teacher supervision, local safety rules and environmental permissions for all practical work.
Choose your paper route
- Examinations in 2024–2026Paper 1: Theory and Data Handling · 1 h 45 min · 80 marks · 50%; Paper 2: Theory and Practical Skills · 1 h 45 min · 80 marks · 50%
Both papers are externally assessed. AO3 practical skills account for 40% of Paper 2 and 20% of the whole qualification, tested in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. The 2024–2026 syllabus and update apply; check centre instructions for the candidate’s exact year.
- Examinations in 2027–2029Paper 1: Theory and Data Handling · 1 h 45 min · 80 marks · 50%; Paper 2: Theory and Practical Skills · 1 h 45 min · 80 marks · 50%
Cambridge’s 2027–2029 Version 1 states there are no significant changes affecting teaching and that 2024 endorsed textbooks remain suitable. AO3 practical skills account for 40% of Paper 2 and 20% of the whole qualification; candidates still need real practical experience and centre supervision.
Cambridge IGCSE Marine Science 0697 is available in June and November, and private candidates can enter. Confirm the syllabus year, administrative-zone timetable and entry details with the exam centre.
View syllabus coverage
The 2024–2026 and 2027–2029 syllabuses share the same six topic areas and 36 numbered sections; Cambridge states the 2027–2029 version has no significant teaching changes. Routes below use the two current published year windows. Practical activities listed by Cambridge must be carried out in a properly supervised setting; simulated planning here does not count as completing them.
Topic 1
- The Earth and its oceans1
Topic 2
- Sea water2
Topic 3
- Marine organisms3
Topic 4
- Nutrients and energy4
Topic 5
- Marine ecology5
Topic 6
- Human influences on the marine environment6
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- The Earth and its oceansTopic 1 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
- Sea waterTopic 2 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
- Marine organismsTopic 3 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
- Nutrients and energyTopic 4 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
- Marine ecologyTopic 5 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
- Human influences on the marine environmentTopic 6 · 1 lessons
Original teaching and three-stage practice support theory and data interpretation. Perform the syllabus practical activities with teacher supervision; StudyForA does not record or certify practical completion.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
The Earth and its oceans
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
- 03
- 04
Nutrients and energy
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
- 06
Human influences on the marine environment
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.
Practise this subject
Topic tests: Easy, Normal and Difficult
Choose a topic, save your answers and compare your reasoning with worked models. See available tests and any coverage gaps.
Browse 6 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.