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GEOGRAPHY · IB Diploma Programme

GEOGRAPHY/21

Global Core (SL and HL)

Geography · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.4/5

Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.4 / 5

Total marks

50

Duration

75 min

Most tested topic

Global resource consumption and security

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

50

Duration

75 min

Session difficulty

3.4 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The May 2025 Paper 2 exam offers a balanced coverage of the three core geography themes: Population, Climate Change, and Resource Security, utilizing varied data-skills stimulus and demanding robust evaluative essays on circular economy and middle-class water demands.

2

Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

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

Data & Graphical Analysis8
Mapping &6
Infographic5
Structured4
Causal Analysis3
Evaluative Essay Writing Writing2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Data & Graphical AnalysisData & GraphicalAnalysisMapping &Mapping &InfographicInfographicStructuredStructuredCausal AnalysisCausal AnalysisEvaluative Essay Writing WritingEvaluative EssayWriting Writing
SkillWeightShare
  • Data & Graphical Analysis

    Weight: 8100%
  • Mapping &

    Weight: 675%
  • Infographic

    Weight: 563%
  • Structured

    Weight: 450%
  • Causal Analysis

    Weight: 338%
  • Evaluative Essay Writing Writing

    Weight: 225%

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

IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions

Level 7

Excellent — top band for competitive university offers

Level 6

Very good — strong HL performance

Level 5

Good — solid pass at higher level

Level 4

Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits

Level 3

Mediocre

Level 2

Poor

Level 1

Very poor

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

ExplainFrequency: 7

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

extentFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “extent” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 2

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

DescribeFrequency: 1

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

IdentifyFrequency: 2

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

StateFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

OutlineFrequency: 1

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Section C20m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 2

Section B15m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Population distribution—changing population

20 marks this session

Global resource consumption and security

20 marks this session

Global climate—vulnerability and resilience

10 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

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Global resource consumption and security

20
20
20
60

Population distribution—changing population

20
10
20
50

Global climate—vulnerability and resilience

30
10
10
50

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 2:

50 marks75 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The May 2025 Paper 2 exam offers a balanced coverage of the three core geography themes: Population, Climate Change, and Resource Security, utilizing varied data-skills stimulus and demanding robust evaluative essays on circular economy and middle-class water demands.

  • 2Message

    Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Geography

The May 2025 Paper 2 exam offers a balanced coverage of the three core geography themes: Population, Climate Change, and Resource Security, utilizing varied data-skills stimulus and demanding robust evaluative essays on circular economy and middle-class water demands.

  • The May 2025 Paper 2 exam offers a balanced coverage of the three core geography themes: Population, Climate Change, and Resource Security, utilizing varied data-skills stimulus and demanding robust evaluative essays on circular economy and middle-class water demands.

  • Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Total marks
50
Duration
75 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5

Session analysis

The May 2025 Paper 2 exam offers a balanced coverage of the three core geography themes: Population, Climate Change, and Resource Security, utilizing varied data-skills stimulus and demanding robust evaluative essays on circular economy and middle-class water demands.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 2:

50 marks75 min

Top chapters

Population distribution—changing population20 marks
Global resource consumption and security20 marks
Global climate—vulnerability and resilience10 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Population distribution—changin20 marks
Global climate—vulnerability an10 marks
Global resource consumption and20 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

68% within easy or medium reach

12
22
16
Easy: 12 marksMedium: 22 marksHard: 16 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain7 times
extent3 times
Suggest2 times
Describe1 times
Identify2 times
State2 times
Outline1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

50Marks
  • Structured Explanations

    26·7·52%

  • Extended Response / Essay

    16·2·32%

  • Short Answer / Data Extraction

    8·6·16%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Resource Security …Population Dynamic…Climate Change & A…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.82011420123.4201342014320154.220163.820173.4201832019420203202142022420233.820243.42025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Section B

0.67 m/min
10
15

Section C

0.50 m/min
10
20

Total marks

20

Total time

35 min

Avg pace

0.57

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation

90%

90%

Water-Food-Energy Nexus Interactions

85%

85%

Gender Equality and Demographic Dividend

80%

80%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 15min
Total marks
50
Weighting
40%
Question types
Describe Pattern, Suggest/Explain Core Concepts, Data Extract / Direction, Suggest/Explain Photo Evidence, To What Extent Synthesis, To What Extent Core Essay

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

GEOGRAPHY/21 — IB Diploma Programme Geography (June 2025) | Revui