Geography 9696
Explore physical and human environments. Develop map, graph, data and enquiry skills to explain patterns, change and relationships.
What you'll cover
- Compulsory AS · Paper 1 · Physical Geography
- Compulsory AS · Paper 2 · Human Geography
- A Level · Paper 3 · Global Environments
- A Level · Paper 4 · Global Themes
Published syllabus exam years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Geography 9696 syllabus map
2027–2029 syllabus · Version 1
14 of 14 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
All 14 content topics now have original explanations and guided, independent and transfer practice with worked reasoning. AS requires Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same exam series. A Level also requires candidates to choose two topics for Paper 3 and two for Paper 4; all eight options are taught here, while the candidate chooses the four required for their route. The older 2025–2026 syllabus is a separate edition and is not supported here. Centre-selected named examples and detailed case studies still need course-specific evidence packs. These original explanations and self-checks are independent study support, not Cambridge questions, official marks or grades. Centre-selected named examples and detailed case studies still need course-specific evidence packs. Full timed mock papers, official marking or grade prediction, and human subject-teacher review are not provided. Fieldwork is not assessed in this syllabus, but this site does not collect or supervise primary data.
Exams are available in June and November. Confirm the syllabus year and component route with your centre. The separate 2025–2026 syllabus is not mapped on this page.
Choose your paper route
- AS Level · Papers 1 and 2Two written papers · 1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks each
Both are taken in the same examination series. Each contributes 50% of AS; Paper 1 is physical Geography and Paper 2 is human Geography. Each includes resource interpretation and an evaluative essay.
- A Level · Papers 1 and 2Two written papers · 1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks each
Each contributes 25% of A Level. Both are taken in the same series and cover all six compulsory AS topics.
- A Level · Paper 3 · Global EnvironmentsWritten paper · 1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 25% of A Level
Choose two of Topics 7–10. All four topic sequences are available; use your centre's selection for exam preparation.
- A Level · Paper 4 · Global ThemesWritten paper · 1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 25% of A Level
Choose two of Topics 11–14. All four topic sequences are available; use your centre's selection for exam preparation.
Cambridge recommends prior Geography equivalent to IGCSE or O Level. Confirm the examination year and whether the learner is taking AS only or completing A Level.
View syllabus coverage
AS candidates take Paper 1 and Paper 2 in the same series. A Level candidates take Papers 1–4; Papers 1 and 2 are in the same series, and Papers 3 and 4 are also taken in the same series, which may be later. All 14 content topics now link to teaching and three kinds of original practice. The A Level candidate chooses two of four topics from each of Papers 3 and 4. Course-specific named examples and full timed mock papers remain outside the current content. These original explanations and self-checks are independent study support, not Cambridge questions, official marks or grades. Centre-selected named examples and detailed case studies still need course-specific evidence packs. Full timed mock papers, official marking or grade prediction, and human subject-teacher review are not provided. Fieldwork is not assessed in this syllabus, but this site does not collect or supervise primary data.
Compulsory AS · Paper 1 · Physical Geography
- Hydrology, river processes and hazards1
- Atmospheric processes and global climate change2
- Earth processes and mass movements3
Compulsory AS · Paper 2 · Human Geography
- Population and migration4
- Water resources and management5
- Urban areas and management6
A Level · Paper 3 · Global Environments
- Tropical environments7
- Coastal environments8
- Hazardous environments9
- Arid environments10
A Level · Paper 4 · Global Themes
- Climate change impacts and governance11
- Environmental issues and management12
- Trade, aid and tourism13
- Disease and geography14
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- Physical Geography · Topics 1–3Paper 1 · 3 lessonsHydrology, river processes and hazardsAtmospheric processes and global climate changeEarth processes and mass movements
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 50% AS / 25% A Level. Section A includes resource-based questions on all three topics; Section B has an evaluative essay choice.
- Human Geography · Topics 4–6Paper 2 · 3 lessons
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 50% AS / 25% A Level. Section A includes resource-based questions on all three topics; Section B has an evaluative essay choice.
- A Level · Global Environments · choose two of fourPaper 3 · 4 lessons
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 25% A Level. Original teaching and guided, independent and transfer practice are linked for Topics 7–10. The candidate selects two; full timed mock papers and official grades are not provided.
- A Level · Global Themes · choose two of fourPaper 4 · 4 lessonsClimate change impacts and governanceEnvironmental issues and managementTrade, aid and tourismDisease and geography
1 hour 30 minutes · 60 marks · 25% A Level. Original teaching and guided, independent and transfer practice are linked for Topics 11–14. The candidate selects two; full timed mock papers and official grades are not provided.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
Hydrology, river processes and hazards
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
Atmospheric processes and global climate change
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 03
Earth processes and mass movements
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
Population and migration
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
Water resources and management
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
Urban areas and management
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Tropical environments
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 08
Coastal environments
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 09
Hazardous environments
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 10
Arid environments
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 11
Climate change impacts and governance
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 12
Environmental issues and management
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 13
Trade, aid and tourism
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 14
Disease and geography
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.
Practise this subject
Topic tests: Easy, Normal and Difficult
Choose a topic, save your answers and compare your reasoning with worked models. See available tests and any coverage gaps.
Browse 14 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.