Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography specification (0460 & 0976)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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) IGCSE Geography (0460 & 0976) 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
This IGCSE Geography syllabus develops learners’ understanding of both physical and human environments. It encourages awareness of contrasting environmental opportunities and constraints, and how communities interact with their environments. The course aims to foster appreciation for the Earth, people, places, and natural processes, while equipping students with spatial understanding and analytical skills. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of global, regional and local geographies, and on cultivating responsible attitudes towards environmental challenges.
Subject content breakdown
1. Population and settlement
- Population dynamics: Causes of population change; birth/death rates; population policies
- Migration: Reasons, types, and impacts (internal and international)
- Population structure: Interpreting population pyramids
- Population density/distribution: Factors affecting spatial distribution
- Settlements and service provision: Patterns, growth, and service hierarchy
- Urban settlements: Land use changes, problems, and solutions
- Urbanisation: Causes, impacts, and management strategies
2. The natural environment
- Earthquakes and volcanoes: Causes, features, hazards, and mitigation
- Rivers: Characteristics, landforms, opportunities, hazards, and management
- Coasts: Landforms, coral reefs, mangroves, hazards, and coastal management
- Weather: Weather instruments and data interpretation
- Climate and natural vegetation: Equatorial and hot desert climates; ecosystems and deforestation
3. Economic development
- Development: Indicators, globalisation, employment structure, inequalities
- Food production: Agricultural systems; causes and solutions to food shortages
- Industry: Industrial systems, location factors
- Tourism: Growth, benefits and disadvantages, sustainable management
- Energy: Non-renewable and renewable sources; advantages/disadvantages
- Water: Methods of supply, use distribution, and management of shortages
- Environmental risks: Impacts of development; sustainable management
Assessment structure
Paper 1 – Geographical Themes
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- 3 structured questions (1 per section)
- Resource-based and written responses using case studies
- 45% of total marks
Paper 2 – Geographical Skills
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- All questions compulsory
- Includes topographical map skills, data analysis, and interpretation
- 27.5% of total marks
Component 3 – Coursework
- One teacher-assessed assignment (max 2000 words)
- Fieldwork-based enquiry, marked using set criteria
- Centre-assessed, externally moderated
- 27.5% of total marks
or
Paper 4 – Alternative to Coursework
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- All questions compulsory
- Tests fieldwork enquiry skills through scenarios and data
- 27.5% of total marks
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE 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.
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