Edexcel A-Level Geography exam papers and weighting (9GE0)
Guide overview All 11 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each Edexcel A-Level Geography paper assesses
Edexcel A-Level Geography (specification 9GE0) is built from four areas of study: the first, second and fourth each pair compulsory content with a topic chosen from two, while the third, the water cycle and the carbon cycle, is compulsory in full. A student sits tectonic hazards and either glaciated or coastal landscapes; globalisation and either regenerating or diverse places; the water cycle and the carbon cycle; superpowers and either health and human rights or migration and sovereignty. Physical topics are examined on one paper and human topics on another. A third paper is synoptic, drawn from the compulsory content only, and an independent investigation is completed as coursework.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Physical Geography |
Section A is tectonic processes and hazards Section B is one landscape system, either glaciated or coastal Section C is the water cycle and the carbon cycle, with 12 and 20 mark extended writing across the paper |
2 hours 15 minutes | 105 marks | 30% |
|
Paper 2 Human Geography |
Globalisation and superpowers, both compulsory, with every question answered One Shaping Places topic, either regenerating or diverse places One Global Development and Connections topic, either health, human rights and intervention or migration, identity and sovereignty, with 12 and 20 mark extended writing across the paper |
2 hours 15 minutes | 105 marks | 30% |
|
Paper 3 Synoptic Investigation |
A resource booklet sets out a geographical issue in a particular place Questions draw on the compulsory content areas rather than on the optional topics Assesses the three synoptic themes: players, attitudes and actions, and futures and uncertainties |
2 hours 15 minutes | 70 marks | 20% |
|
Coursework Independent Investigation |
A question the student defines, on any aspect of the specification Built on fieldwork data, collected individually or as part of a group, with the student's own research and/or secondary data Marked in the centre and moderated by Pearson |
Non-examined | 70 marks | 20% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Tectonic Processes and Hazards | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 345 |
| Glaciated Landscapes and Change | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 330 |
| Coastal Landscapes and Change | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 326 |
| Globalisation | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 273 |
| Regenerating Places | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 392 |
| Diverse Places | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 286 |
| The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 396 |
| The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 273 |
| Superpowers | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 267 |
| Health, Human Rights and Intervention | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 269 |
| Migration, Identity and Sovereignty | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 276 |
Assessment details from the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography, specification 9GE0, issue 6. Pearson Edexcel specification.
Edexcel A-Level Geography Active Recall Guide
3,433 questions across every paper on the specification.