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WGE02 exam technique

Edexcel IAL Geography · WGE02 Geographical Investigations

WGE02 is a 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 60 marks: 40% of the International AS and 20% of the full International A level. Knowing its structure and what each command word demands is worth marks.

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Structure of the paper

Based on the January 2024, June 2024 and June 2025 papers:

Section A (24 marks): Question 1 (coasts) and Question 2 (urban), each with short parts of 2 marks and an 8-mark extended question (6 marks AO1, 2 marks AO2), based on a resource booklet. Answer all.
Section B (24 marks): Question 3 on your own fieldwork and research (familiar context): parts worth 3, 3, 6 and 12 marks, all AO3.
Section C (12 marks): choose either Question 4 (coasts) or Question 5 (urban) on an unfamiliar fieldwork context: data presentation, sampling, short calculations, GIS, reliability.

The Getting Started Guide gives Unit 2 weightings of AO1 5.3%, AO2 2.7% and AO3 12% of the full A level, so AO3 (fieldwork and skills) is the majority of the unit.

Section	Content	Marks
A	Q1 coasts, Q2 urban: short answers + 8-mark questions	24
B	Q3 your own investigation (3, 3, 6, 12)	24
C	Q4 or Q5: unfamiliar fieldwork	12

Command words

From the Pearson glossary (Getting Started Guide):

Identify / state: recall or select; a few words are enough (the June 2024 report warned against repeating the question).
Describe: give the main characteristics, without explaining why.
Explain: a developed reason for how or why, with examples.
Suggest: give a reasoned explanation for an unfamiliar situation.
Calculate: a numerical answer, showing working.
Examine: review the evidence and reach a judgement.
Assess: weigh up the relative significance of factors and identify the most important.
Evaluate: judge the value or success and reach a balanced, substantiated conclusion.

For 2-mark 'explain' questions, give one point and develop it (for example 'weak swash and strong backwash remove sediment, creating a steep profile').

Extended questions

8-mark questions (Section A) use three levels: Level 1 (1 to 3), Level 2 (4 to 6), Level 3 (7 to 8). The June 2024 examiners' report said detailed case-study examples were the main route to higher levels, and Level 3 answers weighed which factors mattered most and considered wider constraints. Weaker answers described general regeneration instead of planned towns.

12-mark questions (Section B) use bands 1 to 4, 5 to 8 and 9 to 12; the top band needs a balanced, critical evaluation of your own investigation across several stages. Name your sites, methods and results.

Timing: 90 minutes for 60 marks is 1.5 minutes per mark. Keep 1- and 2-mark answers short; the June 2024 report noted overlong short answers and time pressure. Read every sub-question carefully, especially those on sampling and presentation.

Worked example

How long should you spend on the 12-mark Section B question, and on the whole of Section C?

90 minutes / 60 marks = 1.5 minutes per mark.
12-mark question: 12 x 1.5 = 18 minutes.
Section C: 12 x 1.5 = 18 minutes.

Answer: About 18 minutes each.

Key idea: 60 marks, 90 minutes: Section A 24 (two 8-mark questions), Section B 24 (own fieldwork, 12-mark evaluation), Section C 12 (one unfamiliar fieldwork question from two). 1.5 minutes per mark. Match the command word; use case-study detail; weigh and judge.

Check yourself

WGE02 lasts 90 minutes for 60 marks. How many minutes per mark is that?
Show answer
1.5 minutes. 90 / 60 = 1.5.
Using 1.5 minutes per mark, how long should an 8-mark question take?
Show answer
12 minutes. 8 x 1.5 = 12 minutes.
AO3 is 12% of the full A level and the whole of Unit 2 is 20%. What percentage of the Unit 2 marks is AO3?
Show answer
60 %. 12 / 20 x 100 = 60%.
A 2-mark question says 'Identify two sources of air pollution shown in the photograph.' What is the best approach?
- Write a paragraph explaining how pollution affects health
- Name two pollutant gases
- Repeat the question, then describe the photo
- Name two sources visible in the photo in a few words each
Show answer
Name two sources visible in the photo in a few words each. Identify needs short, precise answers (June 2024 report).
What does 'assess' require?
- A list of facts
- Weighing factors to judge their relative importance, with a conclusion
- Only a description
- A calculation
Show answer
Weighing factors to judge their relative importance, with a conclusion. Assess = judge relative significance.
In Section C you must answer
- the coasts and urban questions together
- the question on your own investigation
- every question in the paper twice
- either the coasts question or the urban question
Show answer
either the coasts question or the urban question. Section C offers a choice of one from two.
According to the June 2024 examiners' report, what most helped answers reach Level 3 in 8-mark questions?
- Writing as much as possible
- Detailed case-study examples and weighing which factors mattered most
- Using bullet points only
- Copying the resource
Show answer
Detailed case-study examples and weighing which factors mattered most. Case-study detail plus judgement.

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Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.