0460 · Cambridge IGCSE
0460/11
Paper 1
Geography · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
195
285 min
Coastal and Urban Fieldwork and Spatial Analysis
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
195
Duration
285 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts.
Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the assessment is rated at a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
While direct data comprehension and graph-plotting questions offer accessible entry points, candidates face rigorous challenges in the high-tariff 7-mark case study questions in Paper 1 and the precise quantitative map skills required in Paper 2.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Mapwork Interpretation
Weight: 9100%Fieldwork
Weight: 778%Equipme
Weight: 667%Analysis and
Weight: 556%Structured Explanation
Weight: 444%Place-
Weight: 222%Specific
Weight: 111%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 85% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 74% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 36% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Urban settlements
40 marks this session
Coasts
38 marks this session
Settlements (rural and urban) and service provision
35 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Coasts
Rivers
Urban settlements
Settlements (rural and urban) and service provision
Population dynamics
Weather
Tourism
Earthquakes and volcanoes
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 Geographical Themes:
Paper 21 Geographical Skills:
Paper 41 Alternative to Coursework:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Urban settlements
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCoasts
38 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSettlements (rural and urban) and service provision
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts.
- 2Message
Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the assessment is rated at a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
- 3Message
While direct data comprehension and graph-plotting questions offer accessible entry points, candidates face rigorous challenges in the high-tariff 7-mark case study questions in Paper 1 and the precise quantitative map skills required in Paper 2.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Geography
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts. Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts.
Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the assessment is rated at a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5.
While direct data comprehension and graph-plotting questions offer accessible entry points, candidates face rigorous challenges in the high-tariff 7-mark case study questions in Paper 1 and the precise quantitative map skills required in Paper 2.
- Total marks
- 195
- Duration
- 285 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts. Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the assessment is rated at a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5. While direct data comprehension and graph-plotting questions offer accessible entry points, candidates face rigorous challenges in the high-tariff 7-mark case study questions in Paper 1 and the precise quantitative map skills required in Paper 2.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 Geographical Themes:
Paper 21 Geographical Skills:
Paper 41 Alternative to Coursework:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
74% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured Explanations and Descriptive Tasks
90·34·33%
Data Interpretation and Graph Plotting
64·28·24%
Fieldwork Methodology and Equipment Use
42·16·16%
High-Tariff Case Studies
42·6·16%
Mapwork and Spatial Analysis Skills
32·12·12%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 (3 Selected…
0.67 m/minPaper 2 (All Questi…
0.67 m/minTotal marks
120
Total time
180 min
Avg pace
0.67
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Earthquake Causes and Management Case Study
5%5%
Agricultural Systems and Food Production
4%4%
River Landforms and Valley Cross-Profiles
4%4%
Executive Summary & Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2025 series of the IGCSE Geography (0460) examination presents a robust and balanced evaluation of human, physical, and economic geographical concepts. Covering Paper 1 (Geographical Themes), Paper 2 (Geographical Skills), and Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework), the assessment is rated at a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5. While direct data comprehension and graph-plotting questions offer accessible entry points, candidates face rigorous challenges in the high-tariff 7-mark case study questions in Paper 1 and the precise quantitative map skills required in Paper 2.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Vague Explanations in Physical Geography: In Paper 2, Question 5(b)(i), candidates often fail to link physical factors directly to flooding. To secure marks, clear links must be forged: "steep slopes increase surface run-off" or "impermeable rock reduces infiltration, accelerating water travel to the river channel."
- Failing to Contrast when Comparing: In comparative data questions (e.g., Paper 1, Q1(a)(iii) comparing Senegal and Uganda migration), candidates frequently list data for one country and then the other without using direct comparative words (such as "whereas," "higher," or "more").
- Misinterpreting "Describe the Distribution": When asked to describe distribution from maps (e.g., global car production or volcanic belts), candidates often list individual country names rather than describing general patterns, clusters, linear trends, or referencing hemispheric or latitudinal trends.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 75
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.