Paper 2: Human Geography Exam Technique

This lesson examines the skills and strategies needed to excel in Paper 2: Human Geography of the Edexcel A-Level Geography exam (9GE0). Paper 2 is worth 105 marks (30% of the total grade) and tests students' understanding of globalisation, place-based studies, superpowers and global development. While the structural format mirrors Paper 1, the nature of human geography content demands different analytical approaches and writing techniques.

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Paper 2 Structure

Paper 2 is divided into four sections, each covering a different human geography topic:

Section	Topic	Compulsory/Optional	Approximate Marks
A	Globalisation	Compulsory	~26
B	Shaping Places (Regenerating Places OR Diverse Places)	Optional (choose 1)	~26
C	Superpowers	Compulsory	~26
D	Global Development and Connections (Health, Human Rights and Intervention OR Migration, Identity and Sovereignty)	Optional (choose 1)	~27 (inc. 20-mark + 4 SPaG)

The total is 105 marks in 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes), giving the same rate of approximately 1.3 minutes per mark as Paper 1.

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How Paper 2 Differs from Paper 1

Understanding the differences between Papers 1 and 2 is critical for adjusting your approach:

1. Place-Based Knowledge Is Non-Negotiable

In Paper 1, you can sometimes earn reasonable marks by explaining physical processes without naming specific places. In Paper 2, place-based knowledge is essential. The Shaping Places topics (Regenerating Places and Diverse Places) are explicitly place-based, requiring detailed knowledge of two contrasting places — typically one local and one from a different context (e.g. one urban, one rural; one in the UK, one overseas).

Weak Response	Strong Response
"Regeneration has improved some areas"	"The regeneration of Stratford, East London, driven by the 2012 Olympic Games, attracted over £9 billion of investment, creating 10,000 jobs during construction and transforming the former industrial brownfield site into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park"
"Migration causes cultural diversity"	"The London Borough of Newham, identified by the 2021 Census as the most ethnically diverse local authority in England, with 75.5% of residents from non-White British backgrounds, demonstrates how sustained international migration creates super-diverse communities"

2. Stakeholder Perspectives Are Central

Human geography questions frequently require analysis of different stakeholder perspectives. This means identifying who the key players are, what their interests are, and how these interests may conflict.

graph TD
    A["Geographical Issue<br/>(e.g. Urban Regeneration)"] --> B["Government<br/>Wants economic growth,<br/>job creation, votes"]
    A --> C["Local Residents<br/>Want affordable housing,<br/>community preservation"]
    A --> D["Private Developers<br/>Want profit maximisation,<br/>planning permission"]
    A --> E["Environmental Groups<br/>Want sustainable development,<br/>green spaces"]
    A --> F["Community Groups<br/>Want social inclusion,<br/>cultural preservation"]

    style A fill:#ff9800,color:#fff
    style B fill:#2196f3,color:#fff
    style C fill:#4caf50,color:#fff
    style D fill:#f44336,color:#fff
    style E fill:#009688,color:#fff
    style F fill:#9c27b0,color:#fff

Exam Tip: In any Paper 2 essay question, aim to discuss at least three different stakeholder perspectives. This demonstrates AO2 skills (application and evaluation) and shows the examiner that you understand the complexity of human geography issues. The best answers acknowledge that no single perspective is entirely right or wrong — geographical issues involve trade-offs and contested outcomes.

3. Evaluative Writing Is More Heavily Weighted

Paper 2 questions tend to use more evaluative command words: "evaluate", "assess", "to what extent", "discuss". This means that simply describing what has happened is insufficient — you must make judgements about significance, effectiveness, desirability and the balance of evidence.

4. Contemporary Knowledge Matters

Human geography topics change rapidly. Students who demonstrate awareness of recent developments (from the last 2-3 years) show examiners that they are engaged geographers, not just textbook learners. For example:

• Globalisation: The impact of COVID-19 on global supply chains, the rise of nearshoring and reshoring, US-China trade tensions, the growth of e-commerce during and after the pandemic.
• Superpowers: Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its geopolitical consequences, the expansion of BRICS (to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE), China's Belt and Road Initiative debt controversies.
• Migration: The UK's post-Brexit immigration system, the small boats crisis in the English Channel, the global refugee crisis (over 110 million displaced people by 2024).

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Using Case Studies Effectively in Paper 2

Case studies are the backbone of strong Paper 2 answers. However, how you use case studies matters as much as which case studies you know.

The SEEP Framework for Case Study Integration

Element	Description	Example
S — Specific	Name the place, date, scale, stakeholder	"In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets..."
E — Evidence	Provide quantitative data or qualitative detail	"...where 35% of children live in poverty (2023)..."
E — Explain	Link the evidence to the geographical process or concept	"...reflecting the spatial inequality created by rapid gentrification that has pushed up housing costs while wages for existing residents have stagnated..."
P — Perspective	Acknowledge how different groups view the issue	"...although the local council argues that regeneration projects like Canary Wharf have created 120,000 jobs, critics point out that many of these are high-skilled financial services roles inaccessible to the original working-class population."

Contrasting Case Studies

The mark scheme rewards answers that compare and contrast examples from different contexts. Aim to include:

• Developed vs developing country examples
• Urban vs rural examples
• Local vs global scale examples
• Success vs failure examples

This demonstrates breadth of knowledge and the ability to evaluate, which are essential for top-band marks.

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Answering 12-Mark Questions in Paper 2

The 12-mark question in Paper 2 requires more evaluative depth than its Paper 1 equivalent. Here is a framework specifically designed for human geography 12-mark questions:

The AEJ Framework: Argue, Evidence, Judge

Paragraph structure:

1. Argue — State a clear argument that directly addresses the question.
2. Evidence — Support the argument with specific case study evidence (SEEP framework).
3. Judge — Evaluate the argument — is it always true? Are there exceptions? What are the limitations?

Repeat for 3 paragraphs, then write a brief conclusion that synthesises your judgements.

Example Application

Question: Assess the extent to which globalisation has reduced spatial inequality. (12 marks)