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GEOGRAPHY-9GE0 · Pearson Edexcel A Level

GEOGRAPHY-9GE0/31

Synoptic Investigation

Geography · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

280

Duration

405 min

Most tested topic

Coastal Landscapes and Change

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

280

Duration

405 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

Easy marks are readily available in the skills sections, such as the calculations of the mean, median, and Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient rs r_s rs​.

2

However, many candidates lost marks here due to simple mathematical slips or failing to state the exact decimal places requested.

3

In the high-tariff 20-mark and 24-mark essays, the highest marks were secured by students who effectively integrated AO1 (geographical knowledge) with AO2 (critical evaluation), rather than merely repeating facts.

4

Strong candidates structured their answers using geographical frameworks like the PAR (Pressure and Release) model or Degg\'s model.

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

Quantitative & Diagrammatic Skills6
Synoptic5
Synthesis & Physiological Explanation4
Evaluative Essay Writing Writing3
Cartographic1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Quantitative & Diagrammatic SkillsQuantitative &DiagrammaticSynopticSynopticSynthesis & Physiological ExplanationSynthesis &PhysiologicalEvaluative Essay Writing WritingEvaluative EssayWriting WritingCartographicCartographic
SkillWeightShare

  • Quantitative & Diagrammatic Skills

    Weight: 6100%

  • Synoptic

    Weight: 583%

  • Synthesis & Physiological Explanation

    Weight: 467%

  • Evaluative Essay Writing Writing

    Weight: 350%

  • Cartographic

    Weight: 117%

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

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A*

Approx. 76% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 69% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 60% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 51% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 42% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 33% 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

EvaluateFrequency: 7

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

AssessFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 12

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

SuggestFrequency: 4

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

CalculateFrequency: 6

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Section A (Paper 170m / 48 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Section B (Paper 1110m / 75 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Paper 3 Synoptic Ta90m / 70 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Coastal Landscapes and Change

40 marks this session

Health, Human Rights and Intervention

38 marks this session

Regenerating Places

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

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Coastal Landscapes and Change

40
40
40
120

Health, Human Rights and Intervention

38
38
38
114

Regenerating Places

35
35
35
105

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Physical Geography:

105 marks135 min

Paper 2: Human Geography:

105 marks135 min

Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation:

70 marks135 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

Coastal Landscapes and Change

40 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Health, Human Rights and Intervention

38 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Regenerating Places

35 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Self-diagnostic checklist

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

  • 1Message

    Easy marks are readily available in the skills sections, such as the calculations of the mean, median, and Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient rs r_s rs​.

  • 2Message

    However, many candidates lost marks here due to simple mathematical slips or failing to state the exact decimal places requested.

  • 3Message

    In the high-tariff 20-mark and 24-mark essays, the highest marks were secured by students who effectively integrated AO1 (geographical knowledge) with AO2 (critical evaluation), rather than merely repeating facts.

  • 4Message

    Strong candidates structured their answers using geographical frameworks like the PAR (Pressure and Release) model or Degg\'s model.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Geography

Easy marks are readily available in the skills sections, such as the calculations of the mean, median, and Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient rs r_s rs​. However, many candidates lost marks here due to simple mathematical slips or failing to state the exact decimal places r

  • Easy marks are readily available in the skills sections, such as the calculations of the mean, median, and Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient rs r_s rs​.

  • However, many candidates lost marks here due to simple mathematical slips or failing to state the exact decimal places requested.

  • In the high-tariff 20-mark and 24-mark essays, the highest marks were secured by students who effectively integrated AO1 (geographical knowledge) with AO2 (critical evaluation), rather than merely repeating facts.

Total marks
280
Duration
405 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

Easy marks are readily available in the skills sections, such as the calculations of the mean, median, and Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient rs r_s rs​. However, many candidates lost marks here due to simple mathematical slips or failing to state the exact decimal places requested. In the high-tariff 20-mark and 24-mark essays, the highest marks were secured by students who effectively integrated AO1 (geographical knowledge) with AO2 (critical evaluation), rather than merely repeating facts. Strong candidates structured their answers using geographical frameworks like the PAR (Pressure and Release) model or Degg\'s model.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Physical Geography:

105 marks135 min

Paper 2: Human Geography:

105 marks135 min

Paper 3: Synoptic Investigation:

70 marks135 min

Top chapters

Coastal Landscapes and Change40 marks
Health, Human Rights and Intervention38 marks
Regenerating Places35 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Coastal Landscapes and Change40 marks
Regenerating Places35 marks
Health, Human Rights and Interv38 marks
The Water Cycle and Water Insec26 marks
The Carbon Cycle and Energy Sec23 marks
Globalisation20 marks
Superpowers16 marks
Tectonic Processes and Hazards16 marks

Mark accessibility

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

55% within easy or medium reach

42
112
126
Easy: 42 marksMedium: 112 marksHard: 126 marks

Command word frequency

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

Evaluate7 times
Assess4 times
Explain12 times
Suggest4 times
Calculate6 times

Question type mix

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

280Marks

  • Evaluate

    (18-24 marks)

    154·7·55%

  • Explain / Suggest

    (4-8 marks)

    64·12·23%

  • Assess

    (12 marks)

    48·4·17%

  • Short answer / Skills

    (Maths)

    14·8·5%

Study ROI

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

Difficulty →Recurrence % →Tectonic Processes…Coastal Landscapes…GlobalisationSuperpowers

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

420223.620233.82024

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Section A (Paper 1

0.69 m/min
48
70

Section B (Paper 1

0.68 m/min
75
110

Paper 3 Synoptic Ta

0.78 m/min
70
90

Total marks

193

Total time

270 min

Avg pace

0.71

Next-year prediction

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

Coastal Landscapes (Submergent features and Holderness management)

92%

92%

Tectonic Hazards (Volcanic eruptions & Mitigation)

88%

88%

Regenerating Places (Rural representation & Media)

85%

85%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h 15min
Total marks
70
Weighting
30%
Question types
Explain, Calculation & Reliability Evaluation, Analytical Resource Evaluation, Evaluative Essay (Evaluate), Synoptic Decision-Making Essay

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

GEOGRAPHY-9GE0/31 — Pearson Edexcel A Level Geography (2024) | Revui