Cambridge (CIE) A Level Geography specification (9696)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) A Level Geography exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) A Level Geography specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) A Level Geography (9696) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official Cambridge (CIE) specification PDF.
Specification overview
Cambridge International AS & A Level Geography develops learners’ understanding of the processes and interactions shaping the physical and human environments around them. It promotes awareness of spatial patterns, environmental challenges, and sustainable management, helping learners become critical thinkers and informed global citizens. Through the study of topics such as hydrology, population dynamics, urbanisation, and climate change, learners apply key geographical concepts including space, scale, place, environment, interdependence, diversity and change. The course provides a foundation for higher education in geography and related fields, fostering transferable skills such as data interpretation, analytical reasoning, and structured argumentation.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 Core Physical Geography
- Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology: drainage basins, hydrographs, channel processes, river landforms, and human impacts.
- Atmosphere and weather: energy budgets, global radiation patterns, weather processes, greenhouse effect, and urban microclimates.
- Rocks and weathering: plate tectonics, weathering types, slope processes, human impact, and mass movement mitigation.
3.2 Core Human Geography
- Population: natural increase, demographic transition, population-resource dynamics, and policy-based management.
- Migration: causes, patterns, internal and international migration, and a case study on managing migration.
- Settlement dynamics: rural and urban changes, urbanisation trends, urban structure, and challenges in urban management.
3.3 Advanced Physical Geography Options
- Tropical environments: climates, landforms, ecosystems, nutrient cycles, soil processes, and sustainable management.
- Coastal environments: marine processes, coastal landforms, coral reefs, and coastal zone management.
- Hazardous environments: tectonic, mass movement, and atmospheric hazards, their impacts, and risk management.
- Hot arid and semi-arid environments: climatic characteristics, landforms, soil and vegetation, and desertification.
3.4 Advanced Human Geography Options
- Production, location and change: agriculture, industrial location, informal sector, and case studies on managing change.
- Environmental management: sustainable energy, pollution, water quality, degraded environments, and energy strategies.
- Global interdependence: trade, aid, tourism, debt, WTO, Fairtrade, and case study of a tourist destination.
- Economic transition: development patterns, globalisation, NICs, regional disparities, and development policy case study.
Assessment structure
Paper 1 Core Physical Geography
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks
- Section A: Three compulsory data response questions (10 marks each)
- Section B: One structured essay question from three options (30 marks)
- Assesses hydrology, weather, and rocks topics
- 50% of AS Level, 25% of A Level
Paper 2 Core Human Geography
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks
- Section A: Three compulsory data response questions (10 marks each)
- Section B: One structured essay question from three options (30 marks)
- Covers population, migration, and settlement dynamics
- 50% of AS Level, 25% of A Level
Paper 3 Advanced Physical Geography Options
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks
- Candidates answer on two optional topics
- Each topic: one structured question (10 marks) and one of two essay questions (20 marks)
- Options: tropical, coastal, hazardous, or arid environments
- 25% of A Level
Paper 4 Advanced Human Geography Options
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks
- Candidates answer on two optional topics
- Each topic: one structured question (10 marks) and one of two essay questions (20 marks)
- Options: production and change, environmental management, interdependence, economic transition
- 25% of A Level
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) A Level Geography isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article