Pakistan Studies 0448
Explore Pakistan’s history, culture and physical and human environment. Use sources and geographical evidence to explain change and development.
What you'll cover
- Paper 1 · The History and Culture of Pakistan
- Pakistan’s location, landforms and natural resources
- Pakistan’s population
- Employment and industry in Pakistan
Published syllabus exam years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 · syllabus map
2028–2030 revised syllabus
13 of 13 official syllabus topics and sub-topics have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
The 2028–2030 version maps all four Paper 1 topics and all nine Paper 2 sub-topics, plus four supplementary Paper 2 resource skills. Candidates answer three of four Paper 1 topics and study all three Paper 2 topics; maps and resource skills can appear across Paper 2. The 2027 syllabus has a different structure and is not mapped here yet, so learners sitting the 2027 exam should use that official version rather than assume this sequence applies. Cambridge lists June and November series, but this syllabus is not available in every administrative zone; confirm entry with the centre. Original StudyForA teaching and practice, aligned to the named Cambridge syllabus version. These are not Cambridge questions, specimen resources, mark schemes or grades. Written practice feedback is formative, does not automatically award marks, and does not replace teacher review. Map and image tasks use clearly labelled practice data unless a source is linked; check its date, scale, units and context before drawing conclusions.
This map covers the revised 2028–2030 syllabus. The 2027 syllabus is a separate version and is not mapped in this course yet; it retains a different structure and assessment. For a 2027 examination, open the linked 2027 syllabus and do not assume this 2028–2030 sequence is interchangeable. The 2028–2030 syllabus is available in June and November, subject to administrative-zone availability.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 1 · The History and Culture of Pakistan1 hour 45 minutes · 75 marks · 50%
Answer three questions from a choice of four; each selected topic question is 25 marks and contains seven sub-parts. All four topics are mapped, including material from 1857 to the present syllabus scope.
- Paper 2 · The Environment of Pakistan1 hour 45 minutes · 75 marks · 50%
Section A: answer two of three topic questions. Section B: answer compulsory Question 4, which draws on all topics and requires a justified decision. Resource skills may appear in any topic.
Cambridge recommends a broad prior curriculum but does not expect prior study of Pakistan Studies. Paper 1 assesses knowledge and historical understanding; Paper 2 assesses knowledge and geographical skills, resource interpretation and supported decisions. Practice is formative and does not award official marks or grades.
View syllabus coverage
All 13 official Paper 1 topics and Paper 2 sub-topics in the revised 2028–2030 syllabus are linked to original teaching and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice. The four Paper 2 resource-skills lessons are supplemental and are not counted as syllabus topics. Case studies are evaluated with sourced evidence; aims and ongoing projects are not presented as proven outcomes. Original StudyForA teaching and practice, aligned to the named Cambridge syllabus version. These are not Cambridge questions, specimen resources, mark schemes or grades. Written practice feedback is formative, does not automatically award marks, and does not replace teacher review. Map and image tasks use clearly labelled practice data unless a source is linked; check its date, scale, units and context before drawing conclusions.
Paper 1 · The History and Culture of Pakistan
- The making of Pakistan, 1857–1947P1-1
- The shaping of Pakistan since 1947P1-2
- Pakistan and the global communityP1-3
- Society and culture in PakistanP1-4
Paper 2 · The Environment of Pakistan · Topic 1: The natural environment
- Pakistan’s location, landforms and natural resourcesP2-1.1
- The climate of PakistanP2-1.2
- Climate change and PakistanP2-1.3
Paper 2 · The Environment of Pakistan · Topic 2: The people and places
- Pakistan’s populationP2-2.1
- Urban change in PakistanP2-2.2
- Quality of life in PakistanP2-2.3
Paper 2 · The Environment of Pakistan · Topic 3: Developing the economy
- Employment and industry in PakistanP2-3.1
- Energy and infrastructure in PakistanP2-3.2
- Globalisation, trade, tourism and PakistanP2-3.3
Supplemental Paper 2 resource skill
- Paper 2 · Read maps and spatial dataP2-MAP-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Paper 2 · Interpret graphs and chartsP2-GRAPH-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Paper 2 · Analyse photographs and visual sourcesP2-VISUAL-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Paper 2 · Evaluate media sources and make a decisionP2-MEDIA-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- 1 hour 45 minutes · 75 marks · 50%Paper 1 · The History and Culture of Pakistan · 4 lessonsThe making of Pakistan, 1857–1947The shaping of Pakistan since 1947Pakistan and the global communitySociety and culture in Pakistan
Choose three of the four topic questions. Each selected question is worth 25 marks and includes multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response sub-parts. The 2028–2030 paper removes the older historical-source-question format.
- 1 hour 45 minutes · 75 marks · 50%Paper 2 · The Environment of Pakistan · 13 lessonsPakistan’s location, landforms and natural resourcesThe climate of PakistanClimate change and PakistanPakistan’s populationUrban change in PakistanQuality of life in PakistanEmployment and industry in PakistanEnergy and infrastructure in PakistanGlobalisation, trade, tourism and PakistanPaper 2 · Read maps and spatial dataPaper 2 · Interpret graphs and chartsPaper 2 · Analyse photographs and visual sourcesPaper 2 · Evaluate media sources and make a decision
Answer two of three Section A topic questions and compulsory Section B Question 4. Resource interpretation and decision-making skills may be assessed across topics; all practice data here are original or clearly sourced and formative.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
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- 01
The making of Pakistan, 1857–1947
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
The shaping of Pakistan since 1947
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Not started - 03
Pakistan and the global community
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
Society and culture in Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
Pakistan’s location, landforms and natural resources
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
The climate of Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Climate change and Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 08
Pakistan’s population
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 09
Urban change in Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 10
Quality of life in Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 11
Employment and industry in Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 12
Energy and infrastructure in Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 13
Globalisation, trade, tourism and Pakistan
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 14
Paper 2 · Read maps and spatial data
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 15
Paper 2 · Interpret graphs and charts
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 16
Paper 2 · Analyse photographs and visual sources
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 17
Paper 2 · Evaluate media sources and make a decision
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
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Browse 13 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.