IGCSE Geography (0460)
Direction and bearings
What this topic tests, the mistakes that cost marks, and one exam-style question worked through step by step.
Key ideas and common mistakes
- To determine compass direction on a map, compare the relative positions using grid lines: if two locations share the same northing (horizontal line), the one further right (higher easting) is due east, not northeast or southeast.
- To find the compass direction from one point to another on a map, compare their positions using the grid: if the second point is directly below (same easting, lower northing), it is due South.Common mistake: Students often confuse eastings and northings or misread the grid.
- Compass bearings are measured clockwise from north (000°), so due east is 090°.Common mistake: Students often confuse this by giving the angle from east or by not measuring clockwise from north.
- To reverse a compass direction, select the exact opposite (e.g., the opposite of north-west is south-east).Common mistake: Students often mistakenly pick the same direction instead of reversing it when asked about the return journey.
Worked example
On the map, in which compass direction is the school from the church?
Try it first, then show the working
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The school is directly to the right of the church at the same northing (44), so it is due East.
Answer: East
Try one yourself
On the map, in which compass direction is the bridge from the church?Answer it and get it marked →
A walker stands at a bridge. A church lies directly to the east of the bridge on the map. What is the compass bearing, measured clockwise from north,…Answer it and get it marked →
On a map a school is located north-west of a railway station. In which compass direction must a person travel to go from the school back to the…Answer it and get it marked →
4 exam-style questions on Direction and bearings, each marked to the scheme.
More IGCSE Geography topics
Questions are exam-style practice written to the IGCSE Geography (0460) syllabus. Cambridge IGCSE is a registered trademark of Cambridge University Press & Assessment; MOOBON Axiom is independent and not affiliated with it.