Key Stage 4

Geography

This Key Stage is delivered across Years 10 and 11.

It becomes an optional subject in year 10.  

Contact Time

Contact time increases to five lessons in years 10 and 11.  

Exam Information

Students will study the AQA Geography Specification

Paper 1 – Living within the Physical Environment

This is a common paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.

It is taken at the end of Year 11 and is worth 35% of the whole GCSE

Topics covered are:

  • Natural hazards
  • The Living World
  • UK Physical Landscapes

 

Paper 2 – Challenges of the Human Environment

This is a common paper lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

It is taken at the end of Year 11 and is worth 35% of the whole GCSE.

Topics covered are:

  • Urban Environments
  • Changing Economic World
  • Resource Management

 

Paper 3 : Geographical Applications

The pre-release booklet : The Board will provide students with an information booklet 12 weeks prior to the exam. This will be analysed and discussed in lessons. In the exam, pupils will answer questions relating to the information; these questions will require evaluative judgements to be made.

Fieldwork : Prior to the exam, pupils will be guided through 2 fieldwork enquiries. This will require primary research collected during 2 field trips. In the exam, pupils will answer questions based on their fieldwork enquiries and on the skills needed to be a successful geographer (e.g. cartographic; statistical; graphical).

Please note that the fieldwork element of the GCSE has been removed for Year 11 students this year given current restrictions.