Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A (specification code 1GA0) covers both physical and human geography within the 9-1 framework, assessed through three written papers. This collection includes both the current 9-1 specification papers and legacy papers from earlier versions of the Geography A specification. For the current specification, Paper 1 — The Physical Environment — lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (94 marks) and covers dynamic landscapes (rivers and coasts), dynamic development (the unequal world), UK in the 21st century, and a physical environments decision-making exercise. Paper 2 — The Human Environment — also lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (94 marks) and covers urban futures, dynamic development (focusing on economic growth), resource management, and a human environments decision-making exercise. Paper 3 — People and Environment Issues: Making Geographical Decisions — is a 1 hour 30 minute paper (64 marks) that draws on pre-release materials to assess students' ability to make geographical decisions using data, evidence, and analysis. The legacy papers in this collection were assessed through a unitised structure with Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Foundation and Higher tiers. These older papers covered similar physical and human geography content but used a different assessment format, with shorter questions and less emphasis on extended geographical writing. A notable feature of Edexcel Geography A is the strong emphasis on geographical skills throughout all three papers — map reading, graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and the use of photographic evidence. Students who regularly practise these skills alongside content revision are significantly better prepared for the exam. Fieldwork underpins the geographical skills assessed in Paper 3, though the fieldwork itself is conducted during the course and not separately assessed through a written examination component.