Edexcel GCSE Geography A specification (1GA0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel GCSE Geography A 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 Edexcel GCSE Geography A 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 Edexcel GCSE Geography A (1GA0) 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 Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Geography A helps students understand the dynamic links between people and environments, the challenges the world faces, and their own place in it. It develops learners’ geographical knowledge, understanding, and skills by focusing on key processes and interactions across physical and human geography. The course encourages critical thinking, enquiry, and analysis through fieldwork, contemporary UK challenges and real-world contexts. The clear structure and accessible assessments support all learners in progressing to A Level or employment.
Subject content breakdown
Component 1: The Physical Environment
Topic 1: The changing landscapes of the UK
- Geology and landscape formation: sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic
- Two from three: coastal, river or glaciated upland landscapes
- Landforms and processes, human impact and landscape management
Topic 2: Weather hazards and climate change
- Atmospheric circulation and past/present climate change (natural and human causes)
- UK climate patterns and tropical cyclones (causes, impacts, responses)
- Drought: causes, vulnerability, responses
Topic 3: Ecosystems, biodiversity and management
- Global and UK ecosystems; tropical rainforests and deciduous woodlands
- Interdependence of biotic/abiotic features
- Human uses, threats (climate change, deforestation), and sustainable management
Component 2: The Human Environment
Topic 4: Changing cities
- Urbanisation trends globally and in the UK
- Case studies: one UK city and one developing/emerging city
- Urban structure, migration, challenges, regeneration and sustainability
Topic 5: Global development
- Definitions, measures, and global patterns of development
- Uneven development causes and impacts
- Strategies to address development gap; case study of development in a selected country
Topic 6: Resource management
- Global/UK patterns of food, water, energy
- Choose one: 6A Energy (mix, sources, sustainability, case studies) or 6B Water (availability, usage, challenges, sustainability)
Component 3: Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges
Topic 7: Fieldwork investigations
- One physical (river or coast) and one human (urban or rural) environment
- Enquiry process from question to conclusion and evaluation
- Collection of quantitative/qualitative data and use of secondary sources
Topic 8: UK challenges
- One issue drawn from: population/resource pressures, economic/settlement inequalities, landscape pressures, or climate change
- Integrated knowledge from physical and human geography applied to a UK context
Geographical skills and tools
- Maps (OS, geological, choropleth), graphs, GIS, data interpretation
- Fieldwork enquiry: questions, data collection, presentation, analysis, evaluation
- Mathematical and statistical techniques including mean, range, ratios, percentiles, and trendlines
Assessment structure
Component 1: The Physical Environment
- 1 hr 30 mins exam
- 37.5% of qualification (94 marks including 4 SPaG)
- Topics: UK landscapes (choose 2 of 3), Weather hazards & climate change, Ecosystems
- Includes MCQs, short/extended responses, calculations
Component 2: The Human Environment
- 1 hr 30 mins exam
- 37.5% of qualification (94 marks including 4 SPaG)
- Topics: Changing cities, Global development, Resource management (choose energy or water)
- Includes MCQs, short/extended responses, calculations
Component 3: Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges
- 1 hr 30 mins exam
- 25% of qualification (64 marks including 4 SPaG)
- Topics: Two fieldwork investigations (one physical, one human) and UK Challenges
- Includes MCQs, short responses, 8- and 12-mark extended writing
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Knowledge – 15%
- AO2: Understanding – 25%
- AO3: Interpretation/evaluation – 35% (incl. 10% fieldwork)
- AO4: Skills – 25% (incl. 5% fieldwork)
Exam format
- Linear qualification assessed in May/June
- All components are externally assessed
- Fieldwork is assessed via written exam (no NEA)
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel GCSE Geography A 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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