Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management specification (8291)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management 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.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management 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) AS Environmental Management (8291) 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
The Cambridge International AS Level Environmental Management syllabus focuses on understanding the complex interactions between humans and natural systems. The course develops a range of transferable skills, including data handling, investigation design, and practical problem-solving. It encourages learners to develop scientific attitudes like accuracy, integrity, and objectivity while fostering concern for sustainability and global citizenship. The qualification aims to build critical thinking and inquiry-based learning, preparing students for further study or careers in environmental sciences. The course encourages awareness of the global and local impacts of human activities and the importance of sustainable management strategies to protect environmental resources:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
1 Introduction to Environmental Management
- Earth’s structure, continents, oceans, and atmospheric layers.
- Sustainability concepts and resource management.
- The water cycle and atmospheric composition.
- Greenhouse effect and the ozone layer.
- Ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors, trophic levels, energy transfers, and the carbon cycle.
2 Environmental Research and Data Collection
- Scientific method, hypothesis testing, investigation design.
- Data reliability, bias, historical data, climate change evidence.
- Sampling strategies, data collection techniques (quadrats, capture-mark-recapture), data analysis methods.
- Use of technology and big data in environmental research.
3 Managing Human Population
- Population density, dynamics, structures, and dependency ratios.
- Impacts of population change, including ageing populations.
- Strategies for managing population growth and change.
4 Managing Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Major biomes, succession, energy transfers.
- Conservation strategies: legislation, captive breeding, habitat creation, EDGE programme.
- Human impacts on tropical rainforests and Antarctica and their management.
5 Managing Resources
- Causes and impacts of food insecurity; strategies for food security.
- Renewable and non-renewable energy resources, energy security, management strategies.
- Waste management methods, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
6 Managing Water Supplies
- Global water distribution, water security definition and causes.
- Impacts of water insecurity, strategies for water management.
7 Managing the Atmosphere
- Acid deposition, formation, impacts.
- Photochemical smog, impacts, management.
- Ozone depletion, causes, impacts, management strategies.
8 Managing Climate Change
- Greenhouse gases, enhanced greenhouse effect, climate models.
- Environmental and human impacts of climate change.
- Climate change management strategies, geo-engineering, evaluation of international agreements:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Principles of Environmental Management
- 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks.
- Section A: Four to six structured questions (60 marks).
- Section B: One essay from two options (20 marks).
- Tests knowledge, data handling, information analysis, and judgement making.
- 50% of AS Level.
Paper 2: Management in Context
- 1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks.
- Four to six structured questions based on investigative skills.
- Emphasis on planning investigations, identifying method limitations, suggesting improvements.
- Tests knowledge application, practical investigation skills.
- 50% of AS Level.
Assessment Objectives
- AO1 (40%): Knowledge and understanding of phenomena, concepts, terminology, and management strategies.
- AO2 (40%): Information handling, data analysis, evaluation of patterns and trends.
AO3 (20%): Investigative skills, making judgements, planning, and evaluating methods.
- Weighting split between Paper 1 and Paper 2 varies slightly across objectives, with more investigation skills assessed in Paper 2.
- Mathematical skills, data presentation, and analysis form a core part of the assessment.
- Assessment is external with no coursework component.
- Grades awarded from a to e for AS Level:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management 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.
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