Which questions are affected? 

Any 2-mark questions that use the command ‘calculate’.

What is the current approach? 

Markers award 1 mark for the correct answer, and a separate mark for correct working, so if students don’t show their working (or if their working is unclear), they only get 1 mark. 

What’s changing? 

If a student gives the correct answer, they will automatically get 2 marks. If the answer is not correct, the marker will look at the working and will award 1 mark for evidence of correct working. 

Why are you making this change? 

If they have provided the correct answer, we can assume that they have used a valid method and so can be rewarded in full for the skills they have demonstrated. 

This also brings Geography into line with other subjects such as Edexcel GCSE Science and Edexcel GCSE Business. 

When does this change take effect? 

Summer 2025 exams.  

Will questions still ask students to show working? 

Yes. It is important that students still show their working in case they make an error when giving the final answer.  

Do I need to prepare students differently? 

No. Please continue to prepare your students in the same way as before and remind them to continue to show their working.