Coursework Handbook

Cambridge IGCSE™ / Cambridge IGCSE (9−1)

Geography 0460 / 0976
For examination from 2020

Version 2
Copyright © UCLES 2018
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge
Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES),
which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.

UCLES retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered Centres are permitted to copy material from
this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to Centres to photocopy any
material that is acknowledged to a third party, even for internal use within a Centre.
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
Section 1: Requirements of the syllabus .............................................................................. 5
Section 2: Delivering the coursework ................................................................................. 12
Section 3: Assessing the coursework ................................................................................ 15
Section 4: Coursework administration................................................................................ 18
Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 20
Coursework Handbook

Introduction
This handbook is a guide to the coursework component of the Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge IGCSE
(9–1) Geography 0460 / 0976 syllabus.
The purpose of this handbook is to:

• offer advice on the requirements of the coursework

• provide examples of learners’ work
• offer guidance on course planning.

How to use this handbook

• Section 1 outlines the requirements of the coursework component.

• Section 2 gives advice on delivering the coursework. It includes advice on timing, topics and guidance
to give to learners.
• Section 3 explains the mark scheme and how to apply it.
• Section 4 advice on internal standardisation and moderation and explains the administrative
procedures.
• The appendices include marked assignments with examiner comments.

Resources available from Cambridge

School Support Hub

This is our secure online support platform for Cambridge teachers. You can obtain a password and
username to access it from your Examinations Officer. There are many resources on this site including the
latest syllabuses, example learner responses, schemes of work, past papers and suggested textbooks.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

Training

Cambridge regularly offers training for IGCSE Geography, both in the UK and in other parts of the world.
Details of future training can be found via www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/

Moderators’ reports

For each examination series moderators produce two types of report.

(1) An individual report to each Centre about their learners’ coursework and the Centre’s marking.

(2) A general report to all Centres. This describes good practice and offers general advice to Centres.

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 Coursework Handbook

Section 1: Requirements of the syllabus

The coursework requirements are outlined in the syllabus and repeated below:

• learners must submit one coursework assignment, which is set by the centre
• assignments can be based on any of the themes, or a combination of them, from the content of the
syllabus
• the length of the assignment should be up to 2000 words.

Levels of achievement

Marks for each assignment are allocated according to the mark scheme published in the syllabus. The
indicators of each level are emboldened in the syllabus and are used as the standard for all coursework
assignments.

Principles to consider

Positive achievement

Each assignment should be designed to give all learners the opportunity to show what they know,
understand and can complete. This requires tasks suitable for all learners to attempt.

Differentiation

Learners can undertake a common assignment following your instructions. However it is essential to be able
to differentiate between them. This can be achieved by developing tasks which allow different levels of
response or which have different levels of demand.

Teacher guidance

You are required to set the coursework tasks for all of your learners, therefore appropriate guidance is an
essential component of coursework.

Appropriate guidance includes:

• outlining the purpose and aims of the assignment

• teaching the relevant geographical concepts and possible data presentation techniques
• discussion and instruction of the data collection methods
• ensuring a clear understanding of the structure of assignment.

The extent of your guidance may vary between assignments and some learners may require more specific
support.

Learner initiative

Learners need the opportunity to show initiative and individual choice. The most able learners are expected
to demonstrate initiative and collect information beyond the common tasks set by their teachers. This can
often be achieved by suggesting a number of hypotheses from which all learners select one or two. Learners

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Coursework Handbook

can then be allowed to devise a further hypothesis of their own. This is explained in further detail in the rest
of this section.

Assignment structure

All assignments should follow ‘the route to enquiry’ framework. This provides a structure to enable your
learners to fulfil all the assessment criteria and understand the mark allocation.

Choice of assignment topics

One of the advantages of coursework is that it provides the opportunity for your learners to reinforce their
understanding of geographical concepts. Therefore, the choice of topic should aim to provide a case study
and detailed information about a specific part or parts of the syllabus.

The topic you choose must depend upon available locations. The assignment should be realistic in terms of
the number and complexity of tasks and the amount of data collected.

The most successful investigations are based on one of the following:

• an issue or problem which has a geographical dimension, in that it affects people and the
environment e.g. ‘the impact of the expansion of an airport’
• an assertion which can be applied to a real situation, e.g. ‘national weather charts are of limited
value when applied to local weather conditions’
• a theoretical geographical statement which can be investigated in a real situation, e.g. ‘the CBD of
town X has typical characteristics or ‘the characteristics of the bedload of river Y changes
downstream’.

These broad titles should then be broken down into specific and focused key questions or hypotheses. You
may provide learners with a set of statements to select from. By discussing in groups or working individually,
they should devise one further question or hypothesis of their own.

Setting up the coursework

Every assignment requires a structure to enable your learners to complete the coursework successfully. The
accepted framework is outlined as ‘the route to enquiry’ which is given in the syllabus and on the following
page with additional comments.

Outline proposal forms are no longer in use for this syllabus for entries from 2022 series onwards. As part of
teaching, you should give guidance and feedback to candidates on whether their coursework, essay or
project title is suitable.

For guidance on developing suitable titles for coursework, essays or projects go to our School Support Hub
www.cambridgeinternational.org/support

For further information, see the Cambridge Handbook for the relevant year of assessment at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide

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 Coursework Handbook

The route to geographical enquiry Additional comments

1. Identification of A topic for investigation is recognised through Topic usually chosen by teachers.
issue, question, or observation, discussion, reading or previous
At all stages there should be
problem study. The design of hypotheses to test the
opportunities for learners to show
issue, question or problem.
initiative.

2. Objectives of The objectives of the study are defined in A set of suitable questions or
the study are specific terms. Decisions are made hypotheses is produced by teachers.
defined concerning: Learners select from these and
suggest a further question devised
(a) what data is relevant to the study
by themselves.
(b) how the data can be collected.

3. Collection of Learners carry out a group or individual set of As a general rule, one source of data
data tasks which may include fieldwork to collect collection does not provide sufficient
primary data such as undertaking variety to achieve Level 3 quality.
questionnaires, mapping or sketching
observation, recording counts or
measurements. It may also involve gathering
data from secondary sources such as from
Census information, the internet, published
maps, books, newspapers or magazines.

4. Selection and You may collate data for class use. Learners Further secondary data may be
collation of data select data to develop the aims or hypotheses added to support data collected.
for the topic.

5. Presentation Learners individually record results and It can be limiting if just one or two
and recording of represent findings in an appropriate form using techniques are used. Simple
the results a variety of maps, graphs, etc. statistical tests may be used.

6. Analysis and Learners individually analyse and interpret Analysis and interpretation may
interpretation their findings in response to the issue / include patterns, trends, anomalies
question / problem with reference to relevant or identification of points not
geographical concepts. immediately obvious from the
results.
It is good practice for learners to
integrate their data analysis and
interpretations of the data with the
presentation of their results.

7. Making Learners individually draw conclusions from Conclusions summarise findings and
effective their findings and make evaluations related to key evidence in support.
conclusions, the original objectives. If appropriate,
Evaluation may include comments
evaluation and comments may be made on the limitations of
with the benefit of hindsight,
suggestions for the data and possibilities for further study.
identification of people or groups
further work
who would find the results useful or
suggestions for further lines of
enquiry.

Once a decision has been made about the topic for investigation (and a suitable location found) the
hypotheses should be devised. These are specific statements that can be investigated by your learners
using primary or, but not exclusively, secondary data.

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Coursework Handbook

Decisions also need to be made about:

• data collection methods

• sampling procedures
• practical considerations of undertaking the coursework.

The extent of involvement of learners in this decision-making varies between schools but the most
successful coursework often involves some judgements by them. However you must make sure that
sufficient and appropriate data is collected. More questionnaires for instance can usually be collected as part
of an organised collaborative effort by your learners. This not only means that there is more data to
represent graphically, but also greater validity should it be decided that statistical testing is appropriate.

Below are some examples of appropriate assignments by way of illustration.

Assignment Example 1: An issue

Chosen topic for investigation

‘The impact of cruise ships on Town X’

Knowledge with understanding

Possible hypotheses of varying complexity
• ‘The cruise ships increase the litter in the CBD’
• ‘The cruise ships increase the number of people in the CBD’
• ‘The number of people decreases with distance from the harbour’
• ‘The cruise ships have an adverse effect on the CBD environment’
Learners will select one or more of the hypotheses and should devise an additional statement.

Primary data collection

This will take place on two occasions when different numbers of cruise ships are visiting the town. Data
collection methods include an environmental survey using a scoring system with a range of variables,
several pedestrian counts and possibly a questionnaire to residents. Secondary supporting data should
include information about cruise ships, population statistics, CBD characteristics and the growth of tourism.
More able learners could make decisions on variables with the environmental survey, design the
questionnaire (or at least one or two questions), make additional observations and devise a different
hypothesis.

Data presentation
A range of data presentation techniques will be used including simple bar graphs, rose diagrams of
environmental quality plotted on a map, pictographs, flow diagrams and isoline maps. Annotated
photographs will also be encouraged. More able learners will be expected to show initiative and individual
flair in their presentation techniques.

Data analysis and interpretation

The analysis of each graph will describe the pattern shown by the data and attempt to explain their findings.

Conclusions and evaluation

The conclusion will link the data evidence to the hypotheses and an evaluation of the data collection
methods will be included. This may incorporate improvements to the investigation and possible solutions to
the effects of the cruise ships.

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 Coursework Handbook

Assignment Example 2: An assertion

Chosen topic for investigation

‘The River Y varies in depth, velocity and bedload with distance from the source’

Knowledge with understanding

Background of river Y drainage basin, land use of the area.
Geographical concepts of hydrology concerned with depth, velocity and bedload. Choice and explanation of
the hypotheses for example:
• ‘The velocity increases between Site 1 and 6’
• ‘The cross sectional area increase from Site 1 to 6’
• ‘The bedload becomes rounder and smaller from Site 1 to Site 6’
• ‘The higher velocities are found in areas of deeper water’
Other statements could link the changes in size or shape of bedload with river depth or velocity.

Primary data collection

At least 6 sites (given the constraints of safety) will be sampled at differing distances from the source. There
should be sufficient variation in depth and velocity. At each site the depth of the river is measured at intervals
across the width. The speed is calculated using a floating object. The bedload is sampled. More able
learners could make observations of the land use or river features or valley slope angle depending upon their
choice of hypotheses.

Data presentation
Cross sections should be drawn for each site and also graphs to show the changing velocity and bedload
size or shape. Scatter graphs and flow graphs could be represented on maps of the area. More able learners
will be expected to show initiative and individual flair in their presentation techniques.

Data analysis and interpretation

Learners will describe the patterns shown in the data clearly and concisely and attempt to explain them using
their geographical understanding. Statistical analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation could be carried out.

Conclusions and evaluation

Learners will link their findings to the hypothesis statements quoting data evidence to support their decisions.
The data collection methods should be critiqued and the limitations of the data noted with possible
improvements to the investigation if it were repeated.

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Coursework Handbook

Assignment Example 3: A geographical statement

Chosen topic for investigation

‘There is a shopping hierarchy in Town Z’

Knowledge with understanding

Learners should include background information on the location of the town and the shopping areas
selected. This should include explanations of hierarchy, sphere of influence, range, convenience and
comparison goods and their understanding of the hypotheses.
• ‘There are more convenience shops at shopping centre A than B’
• ‘The sphere of influence is larger at shopping centre B than A’
• ‘More shoppers will travel by car and buy high order goods at centre B than A’
Learners may select one or two hypotheses, and devise one of their own statements.

Primary data collection

A number of different methods could be used including a land use survey and questionnaires. Other possible
tasks are a pedestrian count, car parking survey, traffic count or variations in prices of selected items.

Data presentation
A range of opportunities for different methods including bar and divided circle graphs, pictographs, land use
maps and sphere of influence maps. More able learners will be expected to show initiative and individual flair
in their presentation techniques.

Data analysis and interpretation

The depth of analysis will depend upon the complexity of the chosen hypotheses. Consideration should also
be made to the time of day and day of the week of the data collection. Statistical testing of the questionnaire
data could be considered.

Conclusions and evaluation

The concluding comments should include reference to the hypotheses using data evidence to support any
decisions made. Learners should critically evaluate the data collection methods of the investigation and
suggest ways to improve future tasks. The learners may also like to consider the best location for a specific
shop/service and justify their decision the light of their findings.

1.5 The role of Cambridge International

A coursework assignment proposal should include:

• a title for the investigation, the broad aim and examples of specific hypotheses / key questions to be
investigated
• the specific types of primary data to be collected by learners and details concerning the methods of
collection. Estimates of the number of sites, e.g. for river studies or the amount of data, e.g. for
questionnaires, should be included. Opportunities for differentiation in data collection should be
outlined. Types and sources of secondary data should also be included
• other information concerning the nature of the investigation, sources of additional information or
practical details of the assignment.

An example of a coursework proposal is on the following page.

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 Coursework Handbook

Example of a coursework proposal

An investigation related to syllabus theme 1.2 Settlement:

‘Is there a pattern to the distribution of rural settlements in Area X and the types of services they offer?’

1. Identification of the problem. Definition of the area to be studied

Relationship to concepts studied for 1.2 of the syllabus – in particular, site, situation and functions of small
settlements and services in relation to settlements, e.g. threshold, range of a service. Learners select
hypotheses from the following list and devise one additional statement:
• ‘Larger settlements will have a higher number of services’
• ‘Residents travel further to obtain high level goods’
• ‘Services in smaller settlements serve the local community’
• ‘The number of services in smaller settlements has decreased recently’
2. Objectives of the study are defined
The characteristics of each settlement – its site, situation, size, population, shops and other services, sphere
of influence.
How may each of these characteristics will be investigated?
What data collection methods are appropriate?
The role of map study, counts, observations, questionnaire layout and sampling techniques are discussed as
a group and decisions made.

3. Fieldwork procedure – the methods of field investigation are outlined and carried out.
The site and situation of the settlements are described by combining visual evidence recorded at each
location with mapwork using a large-scale topographical map.
The size of each settlement – a count of the number of inhabited and uninhabited houses. The population of
each settlement calculated using an average head per household figure or secondary data found.
Recordings are made of the numbers and types of services found in each settlement – shops, telephone
boxes, post boxes, bus stops, etc. Learners encouraged to make individual, additional observations and to
take photographs.
Questionnaires for residents to identify spheres of influence. More able learners will devise three questions
of their own to include in the group questionnaire. Estimated number of questionnaires will depend on size of
each settlement; minimum 10 for smaller settlements, 30+ for larger ones.

4. Selection and collation of data

Data produced in the field to be collated by the teacher but learners will select the data related to their
chosen hypotheses.

5. Representation of results
Drawing of maps to show settlement distribution, desire lines for certain services, graphs, etc. Learners
select appropriate graphs to present their results.

6. Analysis and conclusion

This will be completed by learners individually following a suggested framework for each criterion and linking
closely to the relevant geographical concepts and the stated original hypotheses.

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Coursework Handbook

Section 2: Delivering the coursework

Practical guidelines for delivering the coursework

When?

The length of the school day, organisation of the school year and practical considerations vary between
schools, so you must decide when the assignment should be undertaken. There are advantages in
completing coursework at the same time as teaching the relevant syllabus content in the classroom but this
is not essential. Some schools complete a residential course, most use local opportunities near to the
school.

How much time?

Time should be allocated for coursework preparation, data collection and follow up lessons to give learners
sufficient supervised time and access to appropriate guidance from you. It is important for the time allocated
for coursework to reflect the 27.5 per cent of total marks for the assignment.

How?

The common nature of the coursework tasks allows your learners to work in groups for data collection,
although you should constantly encourage your most able learners to show their initiative beyond the set
tasks. Any individual contributions need to be clearly stated in the learner’s written report to allow credit to be
awarded. You can produce the data collection recording sheets, questionnaires or environmental survey
sheets following a group discussion with your learners.

Successful data presentation relies on your learners being familiar with a range of appropriate techniques. If
a range of appropriate methods are suggested then the choice is more individual and higher marks can be
scored for individual flair. The analysis, interpretation, conclusion and evaluation should be completed
individually following initial essential guidance.

Health and safety issues with coursework

You need to be aware constantly of health and safety issues when undertaking coursework tasks. This
should include conscious risk assessment of the data collection locations, weather conditions and potential
river and coastal hazards. Urban fieldwork presents different risks which require identification by the teacher
in charge. A preliminary visit to the data collection site is essential in assessing safety issues and practical
arrangements should be clearly stated to all participating learners.

Guidance to learners

Each learner must be aware of the ‘route to geographical enquiry’ framework to ensure they meet all of the
assessment criteria. Your initial guidance needs to include the details of the overall aim of the assignment
and the hypotheses to be tested. A reminder of the relevant geographical concepts is useful to enable the
assignment to be placed in the context of the classroom teaching.

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 Coursework Handbook

Learners may need more individual guidance in their choice of graphs, analytical comments or conclusions.
This is appropriate although the extent of your guidance should be reflected in the level of marks awarded.
Initially some learners may respond to a series of questions to analyse their graphs, for example:

• What does this graph show?

• Which was the most popular mode of transport?
• Which was the least popular mode of transport?
• Why do you think most people came by car?

Similar questions could be asked to help your learners to structure their responses for the conclusion and
evaluation.

Some learners will require different levels of guidance to gain the highest marks. These learners will need to
be very aware of the level three indicators in the assessment criteria. To achieve marks at Level 3 learners
need to:

• show initiative in data collection

• show individual flair in data presentation
• give enough detail in their introductions to set the investigation in its broader context
• use secondary information where relevant
• explain the hypotheses clearly using geographical terminology.

The writing up of the coursework

It is acceptable for you to prepare a written outline structure for each assignment for your learners to consult
during the writing of their coursework assignment. The setting of deadline dates encourages continual
progress. The route to geographical enquiry framework helps the initial planning of the coursework report.
You may annotate early drafts submitted for advice, but whether the advice is taken is the responsibility of
the individual learner.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s work or ideas as one’s own. This might happen in a
number of different ways:

• failing to acknowledge quotations and concepts

• using particular graphs, phrases or sentences from another author without giving them credit via
inverted commas and a footnote
• writing something that is only very slightly different by altering a few words of another author’s work
• buying a project from an internet site and presenting it as one’s own
• downloading and pasting text or images from an internet site without acknowledgement
• getting somebody else to write all or part of one’s own work.

It is the centre’s responsibility to make sure all coursework is the original work of learners. You need to make
clear the consequences of plagiarism, both at the outset of the course and at intervals thereafter. Detection
is normally easy since the language of a copied assignment will in general be more complex than that of the
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Coursework Handbook

learner’s own writing. It is also sometimes easy to use the internet to search for particular phrases to see
whether they come from a website. Be aware that some learners may ‘borrow’ assignments from older
siblings or friends. There may, for example, be a lifted paragraph which sits oddly with the writing before and
after it. Perhaps there is some uncharacteristically ambitious phrasing; a simple enquiry about the meaning
of the phrase will settle doubts one way or the other.

To help prevent plagiarism, some of each assignment should be carried out in the classroom. If the first draft
differs greatly from the plan, suspicion may be aroused. The writing of the first draft in the classroom might
be the most secure form of supervision. Your role in detecting plagiarism is crucial. If you have doubts about
the authenticity of an assignment, it should not be submitted. The policy on dealing with malpractice can be
found in the Cambridge Handbook for Centres.

Frequently Asked Questions about coursework

Question – English is not the first language of several learners – will they be penalised for spelling
and grammatical errors?

Answer – We are assessing learners’ geographical ability and therefore must make an assessment
according to the assessment criteria. If a learner is unable to express arguments clearly, it may be possible
to convey ideas by using diagrams, graphs or photographs. Teachers and moderators should reward
positive achievement however expressed.

Question – What happens if a learner exceeds the word target for an assignment?

Answer – No mark penalty will be incurred. A reminder to stay within the recommended limit will be given.
The word target is a guide and should encourage concise, analytical comment of relevant information.
Learners who exceed this often over complicate their work which negatively affects their marks. Thinking
how to be concise often improves clarity. Learners can be encouraged to annotate graphs to indicate the
main patterns and to use sketches to show collection methods rather than writing descriptive prose.
Conversely, if an assignment is too brief, then it is unlikely to give your learners adequate opportunity to
demonstrate their full ability. Learners may be encouraged to write up their data collection methods in tabular
form, but this still counts towards the word limit.

Question – Should teachers make allowances for the maturity of the learners?

Answer – No, the assignment must be marked according to the assessment criteria, with no allowances for
learner maturity.

Question – Can all graphs and writing be completed using ICT skills?

Answer – Almost all learners now use computers to present the whole of their assignment. Although
computers tend to improve the quality of presentations, it should be recognised that certain higher
geographical techniques and graphs cannot easily be produced using software packages, e.g. choropleth
maps, isoline maps or cartographic methods. Therefore ICT is not always the most appropriate method of
presenting all parts of coursework assignments. However, appropriate and effective use of ICT can be
rewarded.

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 Coursework Handbook

Section 3: Assessing the coursework

Assessment of coursework

One of the features of IGCSE Geography assessment is to reward positive achievement rather than
penalising errors i.e. to assess what learners know, understand and can do.

A learner’s assignment is worth 27.5% of the Cambridge IGCSE Geography examination. It is therefore
essential for teachers to design assignments which enable each learner to access the full range of marks in
each assessment objective. The teacher assesses the assignment out of 60 marks and the allocation of
marks reflects the weighting of the syllabus assessment objectives.

Marks
Assessment criterion Weighting
allocated

AO1: Knowledge with understanding 12 20%

Observation and collection of data 12 20%

AO2: Skills and
Organisation and presentation of data 12 20%
analysis
Analysis 12 20%

AO3: Judgement and decision-making (conclusion and evaluation) 12 20%

Total: 60 marks

Using the mark schemes

You must mark the work of each learner from a total of 60 marks with 12 marks allocated for each
assessment criterion. The mark schemes are arranged in three levels, these are arranged in ascending
order so that each level describes a more assured performance than the one before it.

Read and annotate the work and then make a ‘best fit’ judgement as to which level to place it in. Very often
you may see qualities that fit more than one level, so always use two levels at least and come to a decision
between them. You can trade off the strengths and weaknesses in the work against the criteria in the
different levels. Lastly give a specific mark from your chosen level.

If all the criteria in a level fit your judgement, award the highest mark and check the level above, just in case.
If most of the criteria fit your judgement, award a mark nearer the bottom and check the level below, just in
case.

When you assess all of your own centre’s coursework assignments, place them in rank order and award the
marks accordingly, paying special attention to the borderlines. Try to differentiate between assignments that
lie within the same level.

Be careful not to crowd too many of your learners on to a single mark, particularly the bottom mark of a level.
The graph of your distribution of marks should be smooth rather than have points. Where a high number of
learners are placed on one mark, an external moderator will rarely agree that the work of each is of the same
quality.

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You should complete an Individual Candidate Record Card (ICRC) for each learner to show the breakdown
of marks. Where internal moderation has been required, evidence of amended marking and any scaling
(explained below) should be shown on the form. All learner marks must be recorded on the Coursework
Assessment Summary Form (CAS) for submission to Cambridge. These forms and information relating to
deadlines and the selection of the moderation sample are available on the Cambridge Samples Database at
www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples. Simply enter your Centre number and the syllabus code to access
all information.

Annotation

It is essential that there is proof of your judgement on every assignment. There should be a comment on the
strengths and weaknesses at the end of each piece or section, and errors should be annotated in the body of
the work or in the margin. This annotation is very important for the external moderation process because it
helps to explain the mark that you have given. Annotation should clearly relate to the assessment criteria
and should use phrases from the mark scheme. In addition, the Individual Learner Record Card has a space
for a comment justifying the marks given for the complete portfolio. Please note that knowledge with
understanding should be assessed over the whole study and not just on the introduction.

Coursework assessment criteria

Generic mark scheme for Coursework assessment

**Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Assessment criterion
1-4 marks 5-8 marks 9-12 marks

Knowledge with Describes information in Outlines relevant Provides

understanding (within simple geographical information using comprehensive
the context of teaching terms and shows a appropriate information with a
and guidance) tentative grasp of the geographical terms careful use of
aims. and develops a clear appropriate
(max 12 marks)
link between the aims geographical terms
and geographical ideas. and the aims are
clearly related to
relevant key
geographical ideas.

Skills and analysis Shows evidence of Collects and records Collects and records
some ability to collect relevant information detailed data from a
Observation and
and record basic from valid sources with range of valid sources
collection of data (max
information from evidence of sound within a clear planning
12 marks)
limited sources and planning. design.
shows evidence of
simple planning.

Organisation and The presentation is The presentation is A coherent

presentation loosely ordered and logically ordered using presentation using a
uses one simple two or more range of appropriate
(max 12 marks)
presentation presentation techniques with
technique techniques accuracy and clear
appropriately. appropriately and relevance to the aims.
effectively.

Analysis and Makes descriptive and Makes a number of A thorough

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interpretation simple comments about valid statements about interpretation of the

the information. the data with some data with reasoned
(max 12 marks)
explanations explanations and
attempted. comments.

Conclusion and States superficial States tentative States clear

evaluation conclusions showing conclusions linked to conclusions in the light
tenuous links to the the original aims. Some of the aims, clearly
(max 12 marks)
original aims. Simple judgements linked to related to the evidence
evaluation showing little information collected. collected. Makes a
awareness of any Some evaluation of a sound evaluation
shortcomings. limited range of identifying weaknesses
weaknesses. and suggesting
improvement.

** Level 0 (0 marks) is awarded for a criterion where there is no credit-worthy material.

Bold words are level indicators.

About marked examples of coursework

Three annotated assignments are included in this handbook in the appendices to help indicate the
appropriate application of the assessment criteria. They were written by different learners from different
schools.

It is suggested that you read through each assignment and familiarise yourself with the key level indicators of
the mark scheme. The marks awarded for each assignment are outlined below.

Investigating microclimatic variations around the global education city, Jeju

Assignment 1
Island, South Korea.

Assignment 2 How does the Lyne Water channel change with distance downstream?

Assignment 3 A study of Luxembourg city

Assessment of sample assignments

Assessment criterion Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Assignment 3

Knowledge with
11 8 8
understanding

Observation and the

11 11 8
collection of data

Organisation and
12 11 10
presentation

Analysis 12 8 9

Conclusions and
12 9 6
evaluation

Total 58 47 41

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Coursework Handbook

Section 4: Coursework administration

Internal standardisation and moderation

If there is more than one teacher in your centre, it is important that you hold a standardisation meeting at the
earliest opportunity. During this time all of the teachers in your centre should agree on the quality of
specimens of work. The aim of this meeting is to check that all teachers are marking to the same standard
before they go on and mark the remainder of the work.

At such a meeting there should be consideration of:

• the mark schemes

• three pieces of work that illustrate three different mark levels.

At the meeting there should be a discussion of the quality of the work. Each example should be assigned to
a mark level and lastly, a mark should be decided. Exact agreement on the mark is unlikely, but there should
be general agreement.

It is most important that there should be agreement on the rank order of the work considered at the meeting.
It is very beneficial to hold similar meetings at intervals during the course. This saves time when the final
internal moderation takes place.

The internal moderation meeting

This meeting is essential if there are two or more teaching sets entering learners from the centre and they
have a different teacher.

The function of the meeting is to establish a single, reliable rank order for all learners in the centre and it
must be held just before the marks are submitted to Cambridge International.

While it is possible for all teachers involved to meet for this purpose, it takes up a lot of staff time, and the
process takes longer because different teachers have to see large numbers of coursework assignments and
agree on the marks, which can take a great deal of discussion.

Your centre may therefore choose two teachers who are known to be reliable assessors, to meet to assess
the marking of each set in turn. They must first of all agree on the marking of each other’s learners.

They examine a sample from each of the other sets in turn. There should be ten coursework submissions in
each sample, covering the range from the highest to the lowest mark. The marks may be approved, or
judged to be consistently severely or generously marked, in which case the marks should be appropriately
amended. It may be decided that marks only need to be amended in a particular range of the marking, for
example the bottom third. Consistent marking allows moderators to amend severe or generous marking traits
across all of a teacher’s marking based on their judgement of a sample of the work, this is called ‘scaling’.

If the moderating teachers are not sure how to adjust marks, they may ask to see more folders from a
teaching set. Where the marking is inconsistent, they should try to work out why this has occurred and ask
the teacher concerned to submit a new rank order.

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Where marking is inconsistent, it is usually because one of the criteria in the mark schemes has been
considered more important than the rest. Another common issue is when an unduly large number of learners
have been given the same mark and it is impossible to agree that the work is of the same quality. This can
usually be resolved by asking the teacher to redistribute the learners over a three or even four- mark range.

When the process is at an end, the Internal Moderator should make sure that all the amendments to the
marks are recorded on the Coursework Assessment Summary (CAS) Form and that these are the final marks
to be submitted to Cambridge International and to be recorded on the individual coursework submissions and
the mark sheets.

The external moderation sample

External moderation is undertaken by Cambridge International to ensure the same standard is applied by all
teachers in the assessment of coursework assignments.

Each school must select a representative sample of assignments and send these by the date specified in the
Cambridge Handbook.

The sample should include the coursework submissions with the highest and the lowest marks and there
should be an even distribution of marks across the whole range. Unless instructed otherwise, try to avoid
sending too many submissions that have the same mark.

Each submission should be securely fixed together and there should be an Individual Candidate Record Card,
filled in with all the details, on the front.

The sample should be accompanied by the Internal Moderator’s copy of the Mark Sheet (MS1), the centre’s
Coursework Assessment Summary Form and the Individual Candidate Record Card(s).

All forms are available from the Cambridge Samples Database at www.cambridgeinternational.org/samples
Simply enter your Centre number and the syllabus code and the database will provide a link to an electronic
version of the forms, as well as information on the selection of moderation samples and any deadlines.

Your External Moderator will seek to approve your marks. W here your marks are amended, this will be to
bring your marking into line with all centres entering the component.

Please check all details, deadlines and arrangements in the Cambridge Handbook.

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Appendices

Example Assignment 1

Example Assignment 2

Example Assignment 3

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Example Assignment 1

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Comments

Accurate table of contents. Contributes to organisation and presentation.

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Comments

Aims clearly stated.

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Comments

The study area is clearly located, although maps do not have a scale. Despite this the learner is showing
good use of IT by labelling the maps well.

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Comments

Concise background and site information. There is some justification for the choice of sites.

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Comments

Appropriate geographical terms are used to concisely explain relevant geographical theory. Good use of
examples to develop key points.

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Comments

Further theory is provided which indicates a high level of understanding. A range of secondary sources
are used to provide information on geographical concepts and details of the location.

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Comments

Clearly stated hypotheses which naturally follow from previously stated theory. Knowledge and
understanding would be awarded low Level 3 at present. To improve this the learner could make more links
to the actual study area.

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Comments

Although the methodology is concise the learner makes the points needed and this helps them to avoid
exceeding the word limit. Photographic evidence contributes to the clarity. The design of the data collection
has been clearly planned. The sections which follow indicate how detailed the data collection was.

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Comments
Sites are clearly located. Photographic evidence is very useful to show the nature of each site. This
section is very well organised, but there could be some justification of why each site was selected.

This is a complex method of data presentation which allows immediate comparisons between sites to be
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made.

Comments

Simple bar charts compliment the previous heat island maps. By having similar vertical scales the learner
has aided comparison between sites. This counts as a second method of presentation and includes table of
data.
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Comments

Well annotated photographs represent the third method of presentation of the data. This means the
learner can be awarded Level 3 for presentation. The organisation is clearly logical. Annotations identify both
causes and effects of temperature changes. This demonstrates a high level of understanding.

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Comments
Description of data.
Clear explanation of observed patterns.
Further reasoned explanation.
Identifies and explains anomalies. Good use of geographical terminology.
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Comments

The flow lines are a fourth presentation technique. The learner has given a clear key.

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Comments

This is a useful bar chart which has been used to compare sites. This raises observation and collection of
data well into Level 3 with regards to observations and collection of data.

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Comments

The rose diagrams demonstrate another complex technique. They are well executed, and help to make
comparison between sites easy. This work is clearly high Level 3.

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Comments

Annotated photographs support the learner’s explanation of their data.

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Comments

Further reasoned explanation with reference to theory. This contributes to a thorough interpretation of the
data and is awarded high Level 3. This is an eloquent piece of written work despite some issues with
grammar at times. As the grammatical issues do not detract from the reader's understanding they must not
be penalised.
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Comments

Clear conclusions are stated in light of the aims and key data is used to answer the hypotheses.

This is further evidence of data collection which reinforces the high Level 3 awarded for observation and
collection of data.

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Comments

The learner has written a sound evaluation referring to both strengths and weaknesses in their work.
Improvements are suggested. This and the conclusion are clearly Level 3.

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Comments

The comprehensive bibliography is further evidence of high levels of organisation.

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Example Assignment 2

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Comments

Clear hypotheses are stated.

The learner describes the location of the River Lyne. They give some justification of why it was chosen.
There is reference to theory which links to at least two of the three hypotheses.

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Comments
The learner has made some good use of geographical terms. However, this is not always well linked to
the aims / hypotheses. They have not demonstrated any depth of understanding at this stage, so currently
their knowledge and understanding would be awarded a low Level 2.
Gives a logical order of the sequence of events.
Definitions are helpful.
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Comments

The sites used in the investigation are well located, although these might have been more effectively
shown on one map. All maps used have a scale.

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Comments

A range of primary data has been collected which is all linked to the hypotheses. This shows that the
learner has undertaking sound planning.

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Comments

Annotated photos help give further detail on data collection methods.

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Comments

Data table indicates of clear organisation and detailed data collection. The fact that samples have been
taken at 10 sites gives the data greater validity. This element of the assignment can be awarded Level 3.
They could have improved this further by justifying the selection of each site.

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Comments

The learner has made appropriate reference to theory. Highlighting the anomaly adds some
complexity to a basic technique. Another anomaly is identified but the explanation is weak.
The bar chart shows the same data as the scatter graph so does not add to the explanation underneath.

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Comments

The located data is a more complex way of displaying the information. Once again though the explanation
for the observations is poor. However, they are able to describe what they would expect to observe
according to theory.

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Comments
This is a similar technique to the one used for the presentation of the data linked to hypothesis 1. This
scatter graph can be counted as an additional data presentation technique as the same data for hypothesis 1
was shown as a bar chart. Therefore this learner has used three types of graph. Two of these show added
complexity which means Level 3 can be awarded for organisation and presentation. Once again the
learner demonstrates clear knowledge of theory, although the scatter graph does not show distance
downstream. They have given some valid explanation. The analysis is Level 2 since it lacks the detail to be
termed thorough. The lack of understanding shown also means Level 2 is awarded for knowledge and
understanding.
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Comments

Comments

The evaluation identifies weaknesses and suggests some valid solutions. Together with the conclusion
section, this allows low Level 3 to be awarded.

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Comments

Comments

This is a successful method of presentation using located bars. However, it is not referred to at all in the
coursework.

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Example Assignment 3

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Comments

An accurate index of contents contributes to the organisation of the study.

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Comments

Some useful background information has been provided. The map used has a scale.

The learner has defined some key terms. They have demonstrated some knowledge, but limited
understanding at this point.

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Comments

These are clear hypotheses, but there is little in the way of justification. Limited understanding
demonstrated to this point, so currently the top of Level 1 for knowledge and understanding would be
awarded.

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Comments

The learner has located the sites at which traffic and pedestrian counts will be carried out. The maps
used have no scale.

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Comments
They have defined random sampling.
This is the first data presentation technique which can be awarded.
They have been able to give an accurate description followed by reasoned explanation.

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Comments
There is some reference to methodology, although no justification of the times selected to take the
samples.
Second appropriate method of presentation. The learner quotes some key data. They have given
reasoned explanations for peak times and have made some reference to their hypothesis.

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Comments

This is the third presentation technique used. It demonstrates some complexity as it uses layers of
information and is an effective way to present this type of data. This takes presentation into Level 3.

The more reasoned explanation given here takes the analysis into Level 3. However, the description
could be more detailed and so the awarded mark remains at low Level 3.
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Comments

Here the learner justifies the locations for their pedestrian counts.

A further choropleth map is used, but this does not advance the response any further into Level 3 as it is
the repetition of a presentation technique already used.

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Comments
Here the learner makes more reference to their methodology, but the last sentence is vague.
The addition of the restaurant locations onto the choropleth map is effective and adds to the presentation
(Level 3). There is reference to methodology, but the account is not well co-ordinated within the study.
Tables of data would have helped. Relevant information from a variety of sources was clearly collected and
there is evidence in the presentation and use of data of sound planning. This places the study at the top of
Level 2 for observation and collection of data.

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Comments

This is another reasoned explanation, which includes an anomaly. Overall, the understanding
demonstrated in the analysis takes the mark for knowledge and understanding to the top of Level 2. It cannot
go further since only some use of geographical terms and limited reference to theory has been used.

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Comments
The learner has not included a specific section on conclusions. There are some conclusions in the
analysis. They have not stated whether the hypotheses are confirmed or rejected. The evaluation does refer
to a range of weaknesses with some creditable solutions. This takes this element of the coursework into
Level 2.
The fact that there is a lack of a defined methodology and conclusion prevent the organisation and
presentation mark being higher than a mid Level 3. The maps of the CBD of Luxembourg need a scale.
This is a good example of a study which needs to be read through first before any judgements are made
on each of the criteria.
It is important that such studies are marked positively, crediting what the learner has done rather than
penalising based on what could have been done.

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