Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
BIOLOGY 9700/13 BUSINESS 9609/13
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2026 Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 2026
1 hour 15 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.
*
You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) Published
INSTRUCTIONS
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet. candidate responses for this component.
*
Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
Write in soft pencil.
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
spaces provided unless this has been done for you. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
Do not use correction fluid or tape. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
Do not write on any bar codes. the standardisation process.
You may use a calculator.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
INFORMATION specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
The total mark for this paper is 40.
Each correct answer will score one mark. We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
Any rough working should be done on this question paper. together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 16 pages.
IB26 06_9700_13/4RP
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
This document consists of 25 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9609/13 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
1 A student viewed a piece of onion epidermis with a light microscope. They were asked to draw a
single cell that they had observed. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
The image shows the student’s drawing.
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
Which changes should be made to their drawing? • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are
specifically assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
add ribosomes and 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not
use a ruler to draw
rough endoplasmic followed instructions correctly.
the cell wall with
reticulum to the
straight lines
drawing 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
A key 6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
B = change should be made
C = change should not be made
D
2 The actual length of a cell structure is 8 m.
Which steps are used to calculate the magnification of an electron micrograph of this
cell structure?
1 measure the length of the cell structure image on the micrograph in centimetres
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 25
2 measure the length of the cell structure image on the micrograph in millimetres
3 divide the image length by 1000
4 multiply the image length by 1000
5 divide by eight
6 multiply by eight
A 1, 3 and 6 B 1, 4 and 6 C 2, 3 and 5 D 2, 4 and 5
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9700/13/M/J/26
, 9609/13 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
3 The electron micrograph shows part of an animal cell. This part of the cell is producing large (for point-based marking)
quantities of a biological molecule.
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
What is being produced in this part of the cell? f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
A antibodies g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
B DNA
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
C starch
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
D triglycerides • Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
(except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
4 Many single-celled animals living in fresh water contain vacuoles which contract regularly,
expelling excess water.
Why do the cells of plants living in fresh water not require these types of vacuoles?
A Plant cell walls limit cell size.
B Plant cell walls are impermeable to water.
C Plant cells have a higher concentration of dissolved solutes than animal cells.
D Water movement into plants is controlled by their roots.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 25
5 Which row is correct for plant cells and for animal cells?
size of cytoplasmic
plasmodesmata microtubules
ribosomes
plant cell animal cell plant cell animal cell plant cell animal cell
A 70S 70S not present not present present not present
B 80S 80S present not present not present present
C 80S 80S present not present present present
D 70S 80S present present not present not present
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9700/13/M/J/26 [Turn over
BIOLOGY 9700/13 BUSINESS 9609/13
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2026 Paper 1 Business Concepts 1 May/June 2026
1 hour 15 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 40
You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.
*
You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) Published
INSTRUCTIONS
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet. candidate responses for this component.
*
Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
Write in soft pencil.
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
spaces provided unless this has been done for you. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
Do not use correction fluid or tape. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
Do not write on any bar codes. the standardisation process.
You may use a calculator.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
INFORMATION specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
The total mark for this paper is 40.
Each correct answer will score one mark. We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
Any rough working should be done on this question paper. together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 16 pages.
IB26 06_9700_13/4RP
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
This document consists of 25 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9609/13 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
1 A student viewed a piece of onion epidermis with a light microscope. They were asked to draw a
single cell that they had observed. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
The image shows the student’s drawing.
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
Which changes should be made to their drawing? • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are
specifically assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
add ribosomes and 4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not
use a ruler to draw
rough endoplasmic followed instructions correctly.
the cell wall with
reticulum to the
straight lines
drawing 5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
A key 6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
mind.
B = change should be made
C = change should not be made
D
2 The actual length of a cell structure is 8 m.
Which steps are used to calculate the magnification of an electron micrograph of this
cell structure?
1 measure the length of the cell structure image on the micrograph in centimetres
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 25
2 measure the length of the cell structure image on the micrograph in millimetres
3 divide the image length by 1000
4 multiply the image length by 1000
5 divide by eight
6 multiply by eight
A 1, 3 and 6 B 1, 4 and 6 C 2, 3 and 5 D 2, 4 and 5
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9700/13/M/J/26
, 9609/13 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
3 The electron micrograph shows part of an animal cell. This part of the cell is producing large (for point-based marking)
quantities of a biological molecule.
1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
shows confusion.
From this it follows that we:
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
What is being produced in this part of the cell? f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
A antibodies g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
B DNA
2 Presentation of mark scheme:
C starch
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
D triglycerides • Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
• Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
(except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
4 Many single-celled animals living in fresh water contain vacuoles which contract regularly,
expelling excess water.
Why do the cells of plants living in fresh water not require these types of vacuoles?
A Plant cell walls limit cell size.
B Plant cell walls are impermeable to water.
C Plant cells have a higher concentration of dissolved solutes than animal cells.
D Water movement into plants is controlled by their roots.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 25
5 Which row is correct for plant cells and for animal cells?
size of cytoplasmic
plasmodesmata microtubules
ribosomes
plant cell animal cell plant cell animal cell plant cell animal cell
A 70S 70S not present not present present not present
B 80S 80S present not present not present present
C 80S 80S present not present present present
D 70S 80S present present not present not present
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9700/13/M/J/26 [Turn over
