9696_s26_qp_42 2026 May-June Geography 9696 Question Paper 4 Variant 2 · Cambridge CAIE AS & A Level

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9696_s26_qp_422026 May-June Geography 9696 Question Paper 4 Variant 2

This is the official Cambridge AS & A Level Geography (9696) Question Paper 4 (Variant 2) from the 2026 May-June examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.

Also referenced as: 9696_s26_qp_42 · 9696/42/m/j/26 qp · 9696/42 May/June 2026 qp

Paper 4: Advanced Human Geography This is Paper 4: Advanced Human Geography, worth 60 marks with a duration of 1h 30m. Advanced human options including production/location, environmental management, and global interdependence. Essay-based with strong evaluation requirement.

To self-assess your performance, use this question paper alongside the corresponding mark scheme (9696_s26_ms_42). Attempt the entire paper under timed conditions before opening the mark scheme — this trains both your subject knowledge and exam technique. Mark each question and record whether marks were lost due to knowledge gaps, method errors, or careless mistakes.

The most effective way to use this Geography question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in Geography (9696).

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Every past paper on this site stays free. These are the worked answers and notes our specialists write on top of them.

Same paper, other years

Geography (9696) Question Paper 4 (Variant 2) from other exam sessions — practise the same paper across the years, then check each one against its mark scheme.

Examiner Insights — Paper 4: Advanced Human Geography

Based on analysis of 1 official Cambridge documents (2023)

1

Describing features instead of explaining the processes behind them

Many candidates described the feature but did not explain the processes responsible for its formation.9696 Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: After identifying a feature, explain the process that created it. Use cause-effect language: 'this occurs because…', 'the result of this process is…'. For physical geography, always name the specific process (hydraulic action, freeze-thaw weathering) rather than just describing the outcome.

2

Using blanket terms without clarification or context

Terms such as 'urbanisation' and 'development' were used without any clarification of what was specifically meant in the given context.9696 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: Define blanket terms in context. Instead of 'urbanisation causes problems', specify: 'rapid rural-to-urban migration in Lagos has overwhelmed water supply infrastructure, leaving 60% of residents without piped water.' Always attach a process or statistic to a general term.

3

Referring to 'Africa' as a single country or homogeneous region

Weaker candidates referred to 'Africa' as though it were a single country rather than a continent of 54 nations with vastly different characteristics.9696 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: Never use 'Africa' as a case study. Name the specific country and, where possible, the specific region or city. Say 'Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya' not 'Africa'. This applies to all continents — always be as specific as the scale of the question demands.

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All Geography (9696) Papers — 2026 May-June

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Geography Exam Guide: How to Score Higher

Top mistakes, scoring patterns & answer frameworks from 1 official Cambridge documents