Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) Geography (4GE1) Past Papers 2026

Physical Geography

Duration: 1h 10m

Human Geography

Duration: 1h 45m

Geographical enquiry process — distinguishing collection, sampling, presentation, and analysis stages

This was the single most consistently flagged weakness across all three ERs. Candidates regularly confused the four stages, costing them full marks in every Section B fieldwork question. Examiners noted that many responses focused on data collection methods when asked about analysis, or presentation techniques when asked about collection methods, scoring zero in each case.

Paper 1, Paper 2 2023, Paper 2 2024

The 'assess' command word — ranking factors rather than listing them

Every 6-mark 'assess' question in Section C of Paper 2 explicitly flagged that a very large number of candidates did not understand the command word. Across both 2023 and 2024, the error was identical: candidates copied or described the resource content rather than ranking factors by relative significance. This affected questions on deforestation impacts, trade bloc role, development strategies, and HDI usefulness.

Paper 2 2023, Paper 2 2024

River velocity misconception — lower velocity downstream

Examiners explicitly flagged the persistent misconception that rivers have lower velocity and travel slower downstream. In reality, rivers flow faster downstream because the wider, deeper, smoother channel offers less friction, even though the gradient is lower. This error cost the development mark on 'explain two ways a river changes along its course' questions.

Paper 1

Hot spot volcanoes — confused with plate boundary volcanoes

Examiners noted that defining 'hot spot' was challenging for many candidates, with many references to plate boundaries demonstrating uncertainty about intraplate volcanism. Hot spots form above anomalously hot mantle plumes far from plate boundaries (e.g. Hawaii). This was identified as an area where candidate knowledge was insecure.

Paper 1

Earthquake preparation vs monitoring vs response — conflation of three distinct strategies

Candidates who wrote about monitoring (seismometers) or evacuation in response to questions asking for preparation strategies scored zero. Examiners clarified: preparation = actions taken before an event to reduce impact (e.g. earthquake-resistant buildings, survival packs, education drills); monitoring = scientific observation; response/evacuation = actions after the event. All three are distinct.

Paper 1

Selecting the correct development country context — developed vs developing/emerging

Multiple questions in Paper 2 required responses in a specific country development context (e.g. 'a developing or emerging country' for farm diversification, or 'a developed country' for energy security). Examiners flagged that candidates regularly chose the wrong context — e.g. writing about UK bed and breakfasts when asked for a developing country example. Wrong context = no contextual marks.

Paper 2 2023, Paper 2 2024

Own knowledge (AO2) in 12-mark 'discuss' questions — over-reliance on resources

The 12-mark Paper 2 Section C 'discuss' question is the only question awarding AO2 marks. Examiners noted that even Level 3 responses (10/12) 'often lacked AO2' — candidates used resources well and showed analysis (AO3 and AO4) but did not demonstrate their own geographical knowledge of processes, case studies, or concepts beyond what was in the resource. AO2 weakness was the most common reason for scoring 10 rather than 12.

Paper 2 2023, Paper 2 2024

Data description questions — attempting to explain instead of describe

For 'describe the data' questions (graphs, maps, tables), a significant proportion of candidates attempted to explain causes or impacts rather than describe what was shown. Descriptions of forest loss patterns that gave 'reasons for wildfires' or 'causes of deforestation' instead of identifying which regions had higher loss scored zero. Description = trends, variations, and data values — not reasons.

Paper 2 2024