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CIE Geography - Paper 1
This paper tests the whole entire IGCSE Geography course and is the only paper where there is a choice of questions. This is also the only paper you will need to know Case Study information for.
Examination Tips:
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Tip 1:
One mark indicates one separate point. If the questions is worth 5 marks and you give 3 pieces of information you can only get a maximum of 3 marks from 5. Always use the box on the bottom right of the question as guidance. It will look like this [5] Example
In this question you will need to give 5 reasons why the governments of MEDCs are concerned about the ageing population. (Note: it does not have to be the UK, it can be any MEDC country) Tip 3:
'C' style questions test case study knowledge. To be able to answer the 'C' style question worth 7 marks in Paper 1 you will need a lot of case study material over the IGCSE course. This is the only question which take the quality of your writing into account. Example
With this type of Question you need to be specific. Make sure you know your facts for each case study.
Name of country: China Policy: One Child Policy Impacts: talk about how this particular policy affected the country and the people. What did it do to the birth rate, did it have side effects etc? 
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Tip 2:
If it is relevant to draw a quick diagram you should. Certain questions especially in Physical Geography such as the units on Rivers and Coasts will ask you to explain the formation of a certain feature. Sometimes they will say with the aid of a diagram, but sometimes they will not. Even if they do not specifically ask for one (and you have the time) you can quickly sketch on in on the left hand side of the question in the blank space there. You never know it might help you get all the marks! Example
In this case you could quickly sketch the diagram you have learnt on Collisional Plate Boundaries. Warning Do not draw your diagram or right in the area that says 'For Examiner's Use' Tip 4:
Always read the question carefully and follow instructions to the letter. The easiest way to lose marks in your Geography IGCSE is to not answer the specific question. If anything is written in 'bold' it is important and you need to pay attention to it. If the question says use figures or evidence, do so! Example
In this question you need to focus on the people aged 75 and over (bar graph with dots) if you look at the other bar with the hashed line this will not get you any marks for this question. Ignore that information completely! Support your answer with figures. Have you done this? If not you will likely lose at least one mark from the total [3] it is worth. |
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CIE Geography - Paper 2
Paper 2 has two main sections to it (even though the exam does not visibly distinguish between the two). So for the purpose of this guide I will call them:
Section A - Map Skills (20 marks)
Section B - Short answer questions (five 8 mark questions)
Section A - Map Skills (20 marks)
Section B - Short answer questions (five 8 mark questions)
Examination Tips:
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Tip 1:
This is the skills based paper. You will need to bring the following equipment to your examination.
Tip 3:
You always need to use the map extract. When you are answering the questions you need to ensure that you are using the map extract to answer the question not only the outline map in the question paper. Example: 
You should only use the above figure to help you identify the correct area on the full colour map extract. Do not use it to identify the features only to locate them on the full map.
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Tip 2:
OS Map skills are a must for this paper. You need to be familiar with a whole range of skills. Tip 4:
You need to provide evidence When the question requests it you need to provide actual map information (evidence to get all marks). Do not forget this as failure to include it will lose you marks. 
Map evidence can include things like:
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CIE Geography - Paper 4
Paper 4 is the alternative to coursework paper and as such will largely test your field studies knowledge. Largely speaking this whole paper requires a sensible application of logic, common sense and attention to detail. It is impossible to predict the topics that will be examined but there will be a Physical and a Human part each worth 30 marks. Divide your time evenly and spend 45min on each.
Examination Tips:
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Tip 1
Yes it really is that easy Do not over-complicate the question. They are asking you for straightforward things so as to assess your common sense. Example:
Possible answers can be as simple as:
Tip 3
You need to prove or disprove hypothesis Any question asking you to look at data and a hypothesis will require you to say if the hypothesis is correct or not. Failure to do so can mean that you lose all the marks for that question. Even if you do not know you stand a 50% of getting it right so do not leave a blank. 
After saying that this hypothesis is correct you will get 1 mark. The other two marks will come from explaining your answer, refer to data - in other words use data from table 6 and 7.
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Tip 2
Questions are not always easy to spot It is often possible to miss questions on this paper. They can ask you to fill in table, complete graphs and many other activities. Do not always look for a questions but instead look for the box that tells you there are marks. It will look like this [2]. When you see marks there is always a question for you to answer. 
You will be amazed how easy it is to miss this question under exam pressure. Spot the box saying this is worth [2] marks? Well you will need to fill in the graph with the correct data. An easy question to answer but also an easy way to lose 3% of your Paper 4 marks.
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