Edexcel A Level Geography (9GE0) Past Papers 2026

Physical systems and sustainability (9GE0/01)

Duration: 2h 15m

Global development and connections (9GE0/02)

Duration: 2h 15m

Synoptic Investigation (9GE0/03)

Duration: 2h 15m

Independent Investigation / NEA (9GE0/04)

Duration: 3,000–4,000 word independent fieldwork report

Lodgement, ablation and glacial process explanation (Glaciated Landscapes option)

Examiners reported that some candidates found Q2(a) challenging because 'lodgement' and 'ablation' (named in the specification) were difficult to explain, and that 'many candidates had difficulties relating the theory of such processes to the reality of how these glacial features actually present themselves' (9GE0 Paper 1, June 2024).

Paper 1

Mass movement vs longshore drift on coasts

On Q3(c) examiners noted that 'Unfortunately some candidates confused mass movement with longshore drift. These answers rarely scored well.' Mass movement is detailed in spec section 2.6B but candidates conflated it with sediment transport (9GE0 Paper 1, June 2024).

Paper 1

IGO roles — IMF, World Bank, WTO and UN in oceans/development

On Q1b 2024 examiners reported 'confusion between the roles of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank'. On Q6b 2023 (IGOs and the ocean environment): 'Candidates seemed to either focus on oceans or the environment and as a result struggled to link these together' and the 2023 paper summary stated the environment topic 'has not been fully covered by the centres'.

Paper 2

Sovereignty (vs national identity)

'The term sovereignty was interpreted widely by candidates and as a result of this interpretation shifted into a question on national identity so missed the opportunity to discuss the power of IGOs, trade blocs and TNCs.' Candidates also conflated 'globalisation' with 'westernisation' on the 2024 paper.

Paper 2

Local government policies for inward investment (Regenerating Places)

'Many candidates found this question difficult, predominately because they lacked understanding of the concept of a local policy. This meant that there was a tendency to go to a country level with China and its SEZs, or the UK and its deregulation without mentioning any local decision making/role in it, and this was self-limiting.'

Paper 2

Spearman's rank — formula application and interpretation

Examiners reported 'A surprising number of candidates were unable to calculate the sum of d2 from the values in the table. It appeared that these candidates had not been exposed to the symbol Σ', and listed errors including 'Some candidates forgot to complete the final step, ie to take their value away from 1' and 'Some candidates did not round correctly' (9GE0 Paper 2, June 2024).

Paper 2, Paper 4

Variables to measure development aid success

Q5(b) 2023: 'Overall this was not well answered with candidates able to identify what development aid was and often stated how it was used but few realised that they had to say why variables such as life expectancy are needed to see if it is successful.' Listed in the 2023 Paper Summary as a priority teaching area (8A.10/8A.11).

Paper 2

Synoptic linkage between water cycle, carbon cycle and superpowers (Paper 3)

'The characteristic level 2 answer was heavily reliant on extracting AO3 information from the resource booklet but without very much associated AO1 knowledge and understanding or AO2 deployment of that information to answer the question posed.' Examiners specifically reward bringing in carbon-cycle and superpowers AO1 to evaluate strategies.

Paper 3