diff --git a/tests/queryset/geo.py b/tests/queryset/geo.py
index 0edde4db..b6e602fc 100644
--- a/tests/queryset/geo.py
+++ b/tests/queryset/geo.py
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 import datetime
 import unittest
 
-from nose.plugins.skip import SkipTest
-from pymongo.errors import OperationFailure
-
 from mongoengine import *
-from mongoengine.connection import get_connection
 
-from tests.utils import MongoDBTestCase, get_mongodb_version
+from tests.utils import MongoDBTestCase, skip_older_mongodb
 
 
 __all__ = ("GeoQueriesTest",)
@@ -15,94 +11,128 @@ __all__ = ("GeoQueriesTest",)
 
 class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
 
-    def setUp(self):
-        connect(db='mongoenginetest')
-
-    def test_geospatial_operators(self):
-        """Ensure that geospatial queries are working.
-        """
+    def _create_event_data(self, point_field_class=GeoPointField):
+        """Create some sample data re-used in many of the tests below."""
         class Event(Document):
             title = StringField()
             date = DateTimeField()
-            location = GeoPointField()
+            location = point_field_class()
 
             def __unicode__(self):
                 return self.title
 
+        self.Event = Event
+
         Event.drop_collection()
 
-        event1 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Double Door",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=1),
-                       location=[-87.677137, 41.909889]).save()
-        event2 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Bottom of the Hill",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=10),
-                       location=[-122.4194155, 37.7749295]).save()
-        event3 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Empty Bottle",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now(),
-                       location=[-87.686638, 41.900474]).save()
+        event1 = Event.objects.create(
+            title="Coltrane Motion @ Double Door",
+            date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=1),
+            location=[-87.677137, 41.909889])
+        event2 = Event.objects.create(
+            title="Coltrane Motion @ Bottom of the Hill",
+            date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=10),
+            location=[-122.4194155, 37.7749295])
+        event3 = Event.objects.create(
+            title="Coltrane Motion @ Empty Bottle",
+            date=datetime.datetime.now(),
+            location=[-87.686638, 41.900474])
+
+        return event1, event2, event3
+
+    def test_near(self):
+        """Make sure the "near" operator works."""
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
 
         # find all events "near" pitchfork office, chicago.
         # note that "near" will show the san francisco event, too,
         # although it sorts to last.
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
         self.assertEqual(list(events), [event1, event3, event2])
 
+        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
+        events = events.order_by("-date")
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
+        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event3, event1, event2])
+
+    def test_near_and_max_distance(self):
+        """Ensure the "max_distance" operator works alongside the "near"
+        operator.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
+
+        # find events within 10 degrees of san francisco
+        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=point,
+                                    location__max_distance=10)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
+
+    # $minDistance was only added in MongoDB v2.6, skip for older versions
+    @skip_older_mongodb
+    def test_near_and_min_distance(self):
+        """Ensure the "min_distance" operator works alongside the "near"
+        operator.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
+
+        # find events at least 10 degrees away of san francisco
+        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=point,
+                                    location__min_distance=10)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
+
+    def test_within_distance(self):
+        """Make sure the "within_distance" operator works."""
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
+
         # find events within 5 degrees of pitchfork office, chicago
         point_and_distance = [[-87.67892, 41.9120459], 5]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
         events = list(events)
         self.assertTrue(event2 not in events)
         self.assertTrue(event1 in events)
         self.assertTrue(event3 in events)
 
-        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
-        events = events.order_by("-date")
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
-        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event3, event1, event2])
-
-        # find events within 10 degrees of san francisco
-        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=point, location__max_distance=10)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
-
-        # find events at least 10 degrees away of san francisco
-        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=point, location__min_distance=10)
-        # The following real test passes on MongoDB 3 but minDistance seems
-        # buggy on older MongoDB versions
-        if get_connection().server_info()['versionArray'][0] > 2:
-            self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
-        else:
-            self.assertTrue(events.count() >= 2)
-
         # find events within 10 degrees of san francisco
         point_and_distance = [[-122.415579, 37.7566023], 10]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
         self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
 
         # find events within 1 degree of greenpoint, broolyn, nyc, ny
         point_and_distance = [[-73.9509714, 40.7237134], 1]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
 
         # ensure ordering is respected by "within_distance"
         point_and_distance = [[-87.67892, 41.9120459], 10]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__within_distance=point_and_distance)
         events = events.order_by("-date")
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
         self.assertEqual(events[0], event3)
 
+    def test_within_box(self):
+        """Ensure the "within_box" operator works."""
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
+
         # check that within_box works
         box = [(-125.0, 35.0), (-100.0, 40.0)]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_box=box)
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__within_box=box)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
         self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event2.id)
 
+    def test_within_polygon(self):
+        """Ensure the "within_polygon" operator works."""
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data()
+
         polygon = [
             (-87.694445, 41.912114),
             (-87.69084, 41.919395),
@@ -110,7 +140,7 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
             (-87.654276, 41.911731),
             (-87.656164, 41.898061),
         ]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_polygon=polygon)
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__within_polygon=polygon)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
         self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event1.id)
 
@@ -119,13 +149,150 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
             (-1.225891, 52.792797),
             (-4.40094, 53.389881)
         ]
-        events = Event.objects(location__within_polygon=polygon2)
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__within_polygon=polygon2)
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
 
-    def test_geo_spatial_embedded(self):
+    def test_2dsphere_near(self):
+        """Make sure the "near" operator works with a PointField, which
+        corresponds to a 2dsphere index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
 
+        # find all events "near" pitchfork office, chicago.
+        # note that "near" will show the san francisco event, too,
+        # although it sorts to last.
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
+        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event1, event3, event2])
+
+        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
+        events = events.order_by("-date")
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
+        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event3, event1, event2])
+
+    def test_2dsphere_near_and_max_distance(self):
+        """Ensure the "max_distance" operator works alongside the "near"
+        operator with a 2dsphere index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
+
+        # find events within 10km of san francisco
+        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=point,
+                                    location__max_distance=10000)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
+
+        # find events within 1km of greenpoint, broolyn, nyc, ny
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__near=[-73.9509714, 40.7237134],
+                                    location__max_distance=1000)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
+
+        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
+            location__max_distance=10000
+        ).order_by("-date")
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0], event3)
+
+    def test_2dsphere_geo_within_box(self):
+        """Ensure the "geo_within_box" operator works with a 2dsphere
+        index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
+
+        # check that within_box works
+        box = [(-125.0, 35.0), (-100.0, 40.0)]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__geo_within_box=box)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event2.id)
+
+    def test_2dsphere_geo_within_polygon(self):
+        """Ensure the "geo_within_polygon" operator works with a
+        2dsphere index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
+
+        polygon = [
+            (-87.694445, 41.912114),
+            (-87.69084, 41.919395),
+            (-87.681742, 41.927186),
+            (-87.654276, 41.911731),
+            (-87.656164, 41.898061),
+        ]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__geo_within_polygon=polygon)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event1.id)
+
+        polygon2 = [
+            (-1.742249, 54.033586),
+            (-1.225891, 52.792797),
+            (-4.40094, 53.389881)
+        ]
+        events = self.Event.objects(location__geo_within_polygon=polygon2)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
+
+    # $minDistance was only added in MongoDB v2.6, skip for older versions
+    @skip_older_mongodb
+    def test_2dsphere_near_and_min_max_distance(self):
+        """Ensure "min_distace" and "max_distance" operators work well
+        together with the "near" operator in a 2dsphere index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
+
+        # ensure min_distance and max_distance combine well
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
+            location__min_distance=1000,
+            location__max_distance=10000
+        ).order_by("-date")
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0], event3)
+
+        # ensure ordering is respected by "near" with "min_distance"
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
+            location__min_distance=10000
+        ).order_by("-date")
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
+
+    def test_2dsphere_geo_within_center(self):
+        """Make sure the "geo_within_center" operator works with a
+        2dsphere index.
+        """
+        event1, event2, event3 = self._create_event_data(
+            point_field_class=PointField
+        )
+
+        # find events within 5 degrees of pitchfork office, chicago
+        point_and_distance = [[-87.67892, 41.9120459], 2]
+        events = self.Event.objects(
+            location__geo_within_center=point_and_distance)
+        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
+        events = list(events)
+        self.assertTrue(event2 not in events)
+        self.assertTrue(event1 in events)
+        self.assertTrue(event3 in events)
+
+    def _test_embedded(self, point_field_class):
+        """Helper test method ensuring given point field class works
+        well in an embedded document.
+        """
         class Venue(EmbeddedDocument):
-            location = GeoPointField()
+            location = point_field_class()
             name = StringField()
 
         class Event(Document):
@@ -151,14 +318,18 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
         self.assertEqual(list(events), [event1, event3, event2])
 
-    def test_spherical_geospatial_operators(self):
-        """Ensure that spherical geospatial queries are working
-        """
-        # Needs MongoDB > 2.6.4 https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-14039
-        mongodb_version = get_mongodb_version()
-        if mongodb_version[0] <= 2 and mongodb_version[1] <= 6 and mongodb_version[2] <= 4:
-            raise SkipTest("Need MongoDB version 2.6.4+")
+    def test_geo_spatial_embedded(self):
+        """Make sure GeoPointField works properly in an embedded document."""
+        self._test_embedded(point_field_class=GeoPointField)
 
+    def test_2dsphere_point_embedded(self):
+        """Make sure PointField works properly in an embedded document."""
+        self._test_embedded(point_field_class=PointField)
+
+    # Needs MongoDB > 2.6.4 https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-14039
+    @skip_older_mongodb
+    def test_spherical_geospatial_operators(self):
+        """Ensure that spherical geospatial queries are working."""
         class Point(Document):
             location = GeoPointField()
 
@@ -178,7 +349,10 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
 
         # Same behavior for _within_spherical_distance
         points = Point.objects(
-            location__within_spherical_distance=[[-122, 37.5], 60 / earth_radius]
+            location__within_spherical_distance=[
+                [-122, 37.5],
+                60 / earth_radius
+            ]
         )
         self.assertEqual(points.count(), 2)
 
@@ -195,14 +369,9 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
         # Test query works with min_distance, being farer from one point
         points = Point.objects(location__near_sphere=[-122, 37.8],
                                location__min_distance=60 / earth_radius)
-        # The following real test passes on MongoDB 3 but minDistance seems
-        # buggy on older MongoDB versions
-        if get_connection().server_info()['versionArray'][0] > 2:
-            self.assertEqual(points.count(), 1)
-            far_point = points.first()
-            self.assertNotEqual(close_point, far_point)
-        else:
-            self.assertTrue(points.count() >= 1)
+        self.assertEqual(points.count(), 1)
+        far_point = points.first()
+        self.assertNotEqual(close_point, far_point)
 
         # Finds both points, but orders the north point first because it's
         # closer to the reference point to the north.
@@ -221,146 +390,15 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
         # Finds only one point because only the first point is within 60km of
         # the reference point to the south.
         points = Point.objects(
-            location__within_spherical_distance=[[-122, 36.5], 60/earth_radius])
+            location__within_spherical_distance=[
+                [-122, 36.5],
+                60 / earth_radius
+            ]
+        )
         self.assertEqual(points.count(), 1)
         self.assertEqual(points[0].id, south_point.id)
 
-    def test_2dsphere_point(self):
-        class Event(Document):
-            title = StringField()
-            date = DateTimeField()
-            location = PointField()
-
-            def __unicode__(self):
-                return self.title
-
-        Event.drop_collection()
-
-        event1 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Double Door",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=1),
-                       location=[-87.677137, 41.909889]).save()
-        event2 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Bottom of the Hill",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=10),
-                       location=[-122.4194155, 37.7749295]).save()
-        event3 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Empty Bottle",
-                       date=datetime.datetime.now(),
-                       location=[-87.686638, 41.900474]).save()
-
-        # find all events "near" pitchfork office, chicago.
-        # note that "near" will show the san francisco event, too,
-        # although it sorts to last.
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
-        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event1, event3, event2])
-
-        # find events within 5 degrees of pitchfork office, chicago
-        point_and_distance = [[-87.67892, 41.9120459], 2]
-        events = Event.objects(location__geo_within_center=point_and_distance)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
-        events = list(events)
-        self.assertTrue(event2 not in events)
-        self.assertTrue(event1 in events)
-        self.assertTrue(event3 in events)
-
-        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
-        events = events.order_by("-date")
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
-        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event3, event1, event2])
-
-        # find events within 10km of san francisco
-        point = [-122.415579, 37.7566023]
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=point,
-                               location__max_distance=10000)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
-
-        # find events within 1km of greenpoint, broolyn, nyc, ny
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-73.9509714, 40.7237134],
-                               location__max_distance=1000)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
-
-        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
-                               location__max_distance=10000).order_by("-date")
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 2)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0], event3)
-
-        # check that within_box works
-        box = [(-125.0, 35.0), (-100.0, 40.0)]
-        events = Event.objects(location__geo_within_box=box)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event2.id)
-
-        polygon = [
-            (-87.694445, 41.912114),
-            (-87.69084, 41.919395),
-            (-87.681742, 41.927186),
-            (-87.654276, 41.911731),
-            (-87.656164, 41.898061),
-        ]
-        events = Event.objects(location__geo_within_polygon=polygon)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0].id, event1.id)
-
-        polygon2 = [
-            (-1.742249, 54.033586),
-            (-1.225891, 52.792797),
-            (-4.40094, 53.389881)
-        ]
-        events = Event.objects(location__geo_within_polygon=polygon2)
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 0)
-
-        # $minDistance was only added in MongoDB v2.6, skip for older versions
-        mongodb_ver = get_mongodb_version()
-        if mongodb_ver[0] == 2 and mongodb_ver[1] < 6:
-            raise SkipTest('Need MongoDB v2.6+')
-
-        # ensure min_distance and max_distance combine well
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
-                               location__min_distance=1000,
-                               location__max_distance=10000).order_by("-date")
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0], event3)
-
-        # ensure ordering is respected by "near"
-        events = Event.objects(location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459],
-                               # location__min_distance=10000
-                               location__min_distance=10000).order_by("-date")
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 1)
-        self.assertEqual(events[0], event2)
-
-    def test_2dsphere_point_embedded(self):
-
-        class Venue(EmbeddedDocument):
-            location = GeoPointField()
-            name = StringField()
-
-        class Event(Document):
-            title = StringField()
-            venue = EmbeddedDocumentField(Venue)
-
-        Event.drop_collection()
-
-        venue1 = Venue(name="The Rock", location=[-87.677137, 41.909889])
-        venue2 = Venue(name="The Bridge", location=[-122.4194155, 37.7749295])
-
-        event1 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Double Door",
-                       venue=venue1).save()
-        event2 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Bottom of the Hill",
-                       venue=venue2).save()
-        event3 = Event(title="Coltrane Motion @ Empty Bottle",
-                       venue=venue1).save()
-
-        # find all events "near" pitchfork office, chicago.
-        # note that "near" will show the san francisco event, too,
-        # although it sorts to last.
-        events = Event.objects(venue__location__near=[-87.67892, 41.9120459])
-        self.assertEqual(events.count(), 3)
-        self.assertEqual(list(events), [event1, event3, event2])
-
     def test_linestring(self):
-
         class Road(Document):
             name = StringField()
             line = LineStringField()
@@ -416,7 +454,6 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(1, roads)
 
     def test_polygon(self):
-
         class Road(Document):
             name = StringField()
             poly = PolygonField()
@@ -513,5 +550,6 @@ class GeoQueriesTest(MongoDBTestCase):
         loc = Location.objects.as_pymongo()[0]
         self.assertEqual(loc["poly"], {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[40, 4], [40, 6], [41, 6], [40, 4]]]})
 
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()