How Many IGCSE Geography Papers Are There?

If you're preparing for IGCSE Geography, understanding the exam structure is crucial for effective revision planning. The number of papers varies depending on which exam board your school uses, but typically, you will sit two or three papers that test different aspects of your geographical knowledge and skills.

Key Takeaways

• Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460): Three papers total

  • 2025-2026: 

    • Paper 1 (Geographical Themes, 45%)

    • Paper 2 (Geographical Skills, 27.5%)

    • Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework, 27.5%) OR Coursework (27.5%)

  • From 2027: 

    • Paper 1 (Physical Geography, 36%)

    • Paper 2 (Human Geography, 36%)

    • Paper 4 (Geographical Investigations, 28%) OR Coursework (28%)

• Edexcel IGCSE Geography (4GE1): 2 papers total

  • Paper 1: Physical Geography (40% weighting)

  • Paper 2: Human Geography (60% weighting)

• All papers are compulsory for the exam board you're registered with - you cannot pick and choose which papers to sit

Overview of IGCSE Geography Exam Structure

IGCSE Geography is designed to develop your understanding of both physical and human geography on local, regional, and global scales. The subject covers essential topics like population dynamics, natural hazards, economic development, and environmental issues.

The exam format varies between the two main international exam boards - Cambridge International and Edexcel (Pearson). Both boards test similar geographical concepts but structure their assessments differently. For each specification, all students take the same exam but will answer questions on the specific options they have studied.

Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)

Cambridge offers the most widely-taken international geography qualification, with examinations available in June and November (plus March in India only).

Important Update: Cambridge has revised the IGCSE Geography specification, with major changes taking effect from 2027. Students taking exams in 2026 follow one structure, while those sitting the exam from 2027 onwards will follow a different format.

For Exams in 2025-2026 (Current Specification)

Paper 1 – Geographical Themes

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks: 75 marks
Weighting: 45% of total qualification

Paper 1 focuses on testing your knowledge and understanding of geographical themes through three main sections:

• Section A: Population and Settlement

• Section B: The Natural Environment

• Section C: Economic Development

You must answer exactly three questions - one from each section. Each question is worth 25 marks and typically includes a mix of shorter factual questions and longer essay-style responses requiring case study examples.

Skills Tested: This paper primarily assesses knowledge with understanding (48% of paper), but also includes skills and analysis (30%) and judgement/decision-making (22%).

Paper 2 – Geographical Skills

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 60 marks
Weighting: 27.5% of total qualification

Paper 2 tests your ability to interpret and analyse geographical data. All questions are compulsory, covering:

• Mapwork: One major question based on large-scale maps (1:25,000 or 1:50,000 scale)

• Data analysis: Interpreting graphs, tables, photographs, and diagrams

• Graphical techniques: Creating and completing various chart types

Equipment Required: You'll need a pencil, a rubber, a ruler, a protractor and a calculator

Skills Focus: This paper heavily emphasises skills and analysis (80% of paper marks), with smaller amounts testing knowledge (11%) and decision-making (9%).

Paper 4 – Alternative to Coursework

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 60 marks
Weighting: 27.5% of total qualification

Paper 4 simulates the coursework experience through written tasks. You'll answer two compulsory questions that test the methodology of geographical enquiry:

• Formulating hypotheses and research questions

• Data collection techniques (questionnaires, observations, measurements)

• Data presentation methods

• Analysis and interpretation of results

• Drawing conclusions and evaluations

This paper assesses the same skills as Component 3 (Coursework) but in a controlled exam environment.

For Exams from 2027 Onwards (New Specification)

Major Changes: The new Cambridge IGCSE Geography specification introduces significant structural changes, with content now split into two papers: Physical Geography (Paper 1) and Human Geography (Paper 2) The separate Geographical Skills paper has been removed.

Paper 1 – Physical Geography (New from 2027)

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks: 75 marks
Weighting: 36% of total qualification

Paper 1 covers five physical geography topics: 

• Changing river environments

• Changing coastal environments

• Changing ecosystems

• Tectonic hazards

• Climate change - a new topic added to address current global challenges.

Question Structure: Two sections with candidates answering three questions total:

• Section A: One compulsory structured question (25 marks)

• Section B: Two questions chosen from three options (25 marks each)

Skills Integration: Geographical skills are now tested across all components rather than having a separate skills paper.

Paper 2 – Human Geography (New from 2027)

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks: 75 marks
Weighting: 36% of total qualification

Paper 2 focuses on five human geography topics: 

• Changing populations 

• Changing towns and cities 

• Development

• Changing economies

• Resource provision

Question Structure: Identical format to Paper 1:

• Section A: One compulsory structured question (25 marks)

• Section B: Two questions chosen from three options (25 marks each)

Updated Terminology: The specification now uses LICs (Low-Income Countries), MICs (Middle-Income Countries), and HICs (High-Income Countries) instead of the previous MEDC/LEDC terms.

Paper 4 – Geographical Investigations (Renamed from 2027)

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marks: 60 marks
Weighting: 28% of total qualification

This paper has been renamed "Geographical Investigations" but maintains its focus on testing fieldwork methodology and enquiry skills. Candidates answer two compulsory questions covering:

• Data collection techniques and planning

• Data presentation and analysis methods

• Drawing conclusions and evaluations

Component 3 – Coursework (2027 Specification)

Word Limit: Coursework assignments must be 1800-2200 words (reduced from the previous 2000-word limit)
Weighting: 28% of total qualification

The coursework option remains available for schools that choose to offer it, with greater emphasis on sustainability considerations across all topic areas.

Edexcel IGCSE Geography (4GE1)

Edexcel's International GCSE Geography (opens in a new tab) uses a two-paper structure that clearly separates physical and human geography topics.

Paper 1 – Physical Geography

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total qualification

Paper 1 covers all physical geography topics in three sections. You must answer two questions from Section A (choose from three options) and one question from Section B (choose from three options).

Section A Topics (choose two from three):

• River environments

• Coastal environments

• Hazardous environments

Section B Topics (choose one from three)

• River fieldwork

• Coastal fieldwork

• Hazardous environment fieldwork

Question Format: Mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, data-response, and extended writing questions.

Paper 2 – Human Geography

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total qualification

Paper 2 mirrors Paper 1's structure but focuses on human geography themes. Again, you choose two questions from Section A and one question from Section B.

Section A Topics (choose two from three):

• Urban environments

• Rural environments

• Economic activity and energy

Section B Topics (choose one from three):

• Urban fieldwork

• Rural fieldwork

• Economic activity and energy fieldwork

Section C Topics (choose one from three)

• Fragile environments and climate change

• Globalisation and migration

• Development

How Many Papers Do You Need to Sit?

The number of papers you'll sit depends entirely on your exam board:

Cambridge Students:

• 2025-2026: Always three components (Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 4/Coursework)

• From 2027: Always three components (Paper 1: Physical Geography + Paper 2: Human Geography + Paper 4: Geographical Investigations/Coursework)

• No choice: All components are compulsory

• Same papers for all: All students take identical papers (regardless of tier for 2025-2026)

Edexcel Students:

• Always two papers: Paper 1 + Paper 2

• Within each paper: You choose specific questions but must answer the required number

• Possible coursework: Some schools may offer Paper 3 (coursework) as an additional component

Grading Outcomes:

• Cambridge 2025-2026: Final grade based on Paper 1 (45%) + Paper 2 (27.5%) + Paper 4/Coursework (27.5%)

• Cambridge from 2027: Final grade based on Paper 1 (36%) + Paper 2 (36%) + Paper 4/Coursework (28%)

• Edexcel: Final grade based on (Paper 1: 40%, Paper 2: 60%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which IGCSE Geography papers to take?

Short answer: No, you cannot choose which papers to take.

For Cambridge IGCSE, all students must take Papers 1 and 2, plus either Paper 4 or coursework (Component 3). The choice between Paper 4 and coursework is made by your school, not individual students.

For Edexcel IGCSE, all students take Papers 1 and 2. Some schools may additionally offer a coursework component, but again this is a school-level decision.

You do have choices within papers - for example, in Cambridge Paper 1, you choose one question from each of three sections, and in Edexcel papers, you select which specific topics to answer on.

Is coursework mandatory in IGCSE Geography?

Cambridge:

• 2025-2026: Coursework (Component 3) is optional. Most students take Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework) instead. Your school decides which option to offer.

• From 2027: Coursework remains optional with similar requirements (1800-2200 words) but places greater emphasis on sustainability.

Edexcel: Coursework (Paper 3) is not standard and is only available at centres that specifically choose to offer it. Most Edexcel students complete just the two written papers.

If your school does offer coursework, it typically involves:

• Conducting a geographical investigation (up to 2,000 words for Cambridge)

• Primary data collection through fieldwork

• Analysis using geographical skills

• Evaluation and conclusions

How is IGCSE Geography assessed overall?

Cambridge Assessment Breakdown:

• 2025-2026: Paper 1 (45%) + Paper 2 (27.5%) + Paper 4/Coursework (27.5%)

• From 2027: Paper 1 (36%) + Paper 2 (36%) + Paper 4/Coursework (28%)

• Final grades: A* to G for all students (0460), 9 to 1 for all students (0976)

Edexcel Assessment Breakdown:

• Paper 1 (Physical Geography): 40%

• Paper 2 (Human Geography): 60%

• Final grades: 9 to 1 (highest to lowest)

Both exam boards use raw marks converted to uniform marks before final grades are awarded. This means your percentage score doesn't directly translate to your final grade - it depends on the difficulty of that particular exam session and how other students performed. For further information why not look up your course on the Save My Exams grade boundaries pages.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your IGCSE Geography paper structure is the first step toward effective exam preparation. Cambridge students will sit three papers, while Edexcel students sit two papers, but both routes provide a comprehensive assessment of your geographical knowledge and skills.

Major Changes for Cambridge Students: If you're taking exams from 2027 onwards, note the significant structural changes. Geography content is now split between Physical Geography (Paper 1) and Human Geography (Paper 2), with skills integrated throughout rather than having a separate skills paper.

The key differences between specifications:

• 2025-2026 Cambridge: Integrates themes across Paper 1, with a separate skills paper

• 2027+ Cambridge: Separates physical and human geography into distinct papers, integrates skills throughout

• Edexcel: Consistently separates physical and human geography into distinct papers

For successful revision planning:

1. Check your exam year and confirm with your teacher which specification and papers you're taking - this is crucial as the 2027+ structure is completely different from 2025-2026

2. Use this guide to understand what each paper tests and how marks are weighted for your specification

3. Plan your revision time according to the percentage weighting of each component

4. Focus on detailed specific examples (Cambridge 2027+) or case studies (Cambridge 2025-2026) and ensure you know examples for all topics

5. Practice map skills regularly for 2025-2026 students, or integrate skills practice throughout for 2027+ students

6. Understand the new climate change topic if you're taking exams from 2027 onwards

Remember, while the paper structures differ between boards and specification years, all assess core geographical skills: knowledge and understanding, data analysis and interpretation, and geographical decision-making. Focus your studies on developing these skills alongside learning the required content, and you'll be well-prepared regardless of which papers and specification you're sitting.

References

CIE IGCSE Geography Current Specification (opens in a new tab)(Last exams 2026)

CIE IGCSE Geography New Specification (opens in a new tab) (First exams 2027)

Edexcel IGCSE Geography Specification (opens in a new tab)