0460 · Cambridge IGCSE
0460/42
Paper 4
Geography · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.6 / 5
270
285 min
Physical Landscape Processes & Fieldwork Methodology
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
285 min
Session difficulty
3.6 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations.
While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geometric skills for a 1:25,000 scale map extract of Italy.
Paper 42 tested active fieldwork applications (such as quadrat sampling and infiltration measurements), separating rote-learners from students who truly understand the geographical scientific method.
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.
Reading &
Weight: 7100%Extraction &
Weight: 686%Study Skills Skills Skills Skills Synthesis Fieldwork Design
Weight: 571%Diagrammatic
Weight: 114%
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.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Earthquakes and volcanoes
38 marks this session
Urbanisation
33 marks this session
Coasts
25 marks this session
Rivers
25 marks this session
Food production
25 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
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Geographical Themes (P12):
Paper 2 Geographical Skills (P22):
Paper 4 Alternative to Coursework (P42):
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
Earthquakes and volcanoes
38 marks this session
Practise in RevuiUrbanisation
33 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCoasts
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRivers
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiFood production
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations.
- 2Message
While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geometric skills for a 1:25,000 scale map extract of Italy.
- 3Message
Paper 42 tested active fieldwork applications (such as quadrat sampling and infiltration measurements), separating rote-learners from students who truly understand the geographical scientific method.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Geography
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations. While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geo
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations.
While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geometric skills for a 1:25,000 scale map extract of Italy.
Paper 42 tested active fieldwork applications (such as quadrat sampling and infiltration measurements), separating rote-learners from students who truly understand the geographical scientific method.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 285 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.6 / 5
Session analysis
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations. While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geometric skills for a 1:25,000 scale map extract of Italy. Paper 42 tested active fieldwork applications (such as quadrat sampling and infiltration measurements), separating rote-learners from students who truly understand the geographical scientific method.
Updated Jun 13, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Geographical Themes (P12):
Paper 2 Geographical Skills (P22):
Paper 4 Alternative to Coursework (P42):
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.
85% 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.
Medium Explanation / Analysis
114·28·42%
Data Extraction / Short Response
64·34·24%
Fieldwork Application & Graph Completion
50·12·19%
Case Study / Extended Response
(7-mark)
42·6·16%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 12 (Answer 3
0.71 m/minPaper 22 Geographic
0.67 m/minPaper 42 Alternativ
0.67 m/minTotal marks
195
Total time
285 min
Avg pace
0.68
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Climate and natural vegetation
90%90%
Energy
85%85%
Weather Instruments and Processes
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict & Overall Assessment
This exam series presents a medium-to-hard challenge, balanced between direct data extraction and highly demanding conceptual explanations. While Paper 12 offered familiar case study options (such as China's population policies and Mumbai's housing), Paper 22 required precise geometric skills for a 1:25,000 scale map extract of Italy. Paper 42 tested active fieldwork applications (such as quadrat sampling and infiltration measurements), separating rote-learners from students who truly understand the geographical scientific method.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.