CCEA GCE A Level Geography (511) Past Papers 2026

Assessment Unit AS 1

Duration: 1h 15m

Assessment Unit AS 2

Duration: 1h 15m

Assessment Unit AS 3

Duration: 1h

Assessment Unit A2 1

Duration: 1h 30m

Assessment Unit A2 2

Duration: 1h 30m

Assessment Unit A2 3

Duration: 1h 30m

Hydrological terminology — peak discharge, lag time, rising and recession limb

In AS1, examiners across 2023, 2024, and 2025 noted that 'only the most able candidates' confidently used hydrological terms such as peak discharge, rising limb, recession limb, and lag time when describing and explaining hydrographs. Weaker candidates described trends without terminology, limiting their marks.

AS1

Temperate grassland biome and mollisol/chernozem soils

In AS1 2025, examiners reported that 'responses in this area continue to be underdeveloped' and that only the most well-prepared candidates could apply the nutrient cycling model specifically to the temperate grassland context, explaining the high nutrient status associated with mollisol/chernozem soils.

AS1

Horizontal atmospheric heat transfer — global wind systems

Across AS1 2025, 'nearly all Assistant Examiners agreed that this specific area — horizontal atmospheric heat transfers — requires much greater emphasis and reinforcement'. The confusion between horizontal and vertical heat transfers, and the omission of global wind systems (Trade Winds, Westerlies, Polar Easterlies) as heat transfer mechanisms, was repeatedly identified.

AS1

Demographic Transition Model — figures, place examples, and total population

In AS2 2023, the most significant areas where marks were lost included: no figures provided for each stage, inadequate explanations (vague comments rather than specific reasons), and total population frequently omitted. Candidates who could only describe birth and death rates without explanation could not access Level 3.

AS2

Definitions of key development terms — infant mortality rate, GNI, composite measures

In AS2 across 2024 and 2025, examiners repeatedly found that candidates could not accurately define infant mortality rate (number of deaths per 1000 live births before age one), confused composite measures with economic or social measures, and could not fully describe GNI or GDP including the necessary 'per capita' qualifier.

AS2

AS3 fieldwork — sampling methods, pilot testing, and modification vs extension

In AS3 across all three years, examiners noted that candidates frequently confused stratified with systematic sampling, could not explain the purpose of pilot testing (as distinct from a pre-site visit), and conflated modification of fieldwork with extension. Responses that described a sampling procedure instead of a data collection method were limited to Level 1.

AS3

A21 landforms requiring diagrams — oxbow lakes, levees, volcanic hot spots, island arcs

In A21 across 2024 and 2025, absence of a required diagram or place limited responses to Level 1. Even when diagrams were included, errors in the cut-off stage for oxbow lakes were repeated in both text and diagram; and hot spot formation was frequently confused with plate boundary processes. Many candidates omitted annotation entirely.

A21

A22 Option D Tourism — World Heritage Sites and the Global Ecotourism Conference

In A22 2025, the Global Ecotourism Conference question was 'the most badly answered question on the paper with few Level 3 marks awarded and the mean mark barely escaping Level 1'. In 2024, the World Heritage Sites system question was similarly weak, with one answer describing WHS as a hotel agency. Both topics appear on the specification and require specific factual knowledge.

A22