Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B (specification code 1GB0) takes a 'people, place and resources' approach to geography, examining the interconnections between human societies and their physical environments. Like Geography A, it is assessed through three written papers, but the topic organisation and content choices differ — making Geography B particularly suitable for schools that want a more integrated human-physical approach. Paper 1 — Global Geographical Issues — lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and covers hazardous Earth (tectonic and climate hazards), Development Dynamics (changing global patterns of development), and Challenges of an Urbanising World (urban growth, urbanisation pressures, and sustainability in cities). Paper 2 — UK Geographical Issues — examines the UK's evolving physical landscape (rivers and coasts), the UK's human landscape (changing economic and social patterns), and resource management (energy, food, and water in the UK context). Paper 3 — People and Environments — is an investigative report and decision-making paper using pre-release materials. The collection includes both current 9-1 specification papers and legacy unitised papers (Units 1-4 at Foundation and Higher tiers), providing 238 resources across multiple exam formats. The legacy Foundation and Higher tier unit papers are particularly useful for developing skills at different levels of complexity. Edexcel Geography B places particular emphasis on sustainability, globalisation, and the relationship between local and global scales. Case studies feature prominently and are often assessed in the context of change over time — students need to know specific statistics, events, and outcomes for their case studies. The pre-release resources for Paper 3 are released several weeks before the examination, giving students preparation time. Engaging thoroughly with these materials is essential, as questions directly reference the evidence provided.