A Level Geography

How is the course externally examined?

A Level Geography is 80% based on exams and 20% based on coursework

Component 1: Physical geography exam (40%)

Section A: Water and carbon cycles

Section B: Coastal systems and landscapes

Section C: Hazards

Component 2: Human geography exam (40%)

Section A: Global systems and global governance

Section B: Changing places

Section C: Contemporary urban environments

Component 3: Geographical investigation coursework (20%)

Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content.

How is the course internally assessed?

At A-level, topics are studied in greater depth and often span multiple half terms. Therefore, half-termly assessments are made up of a mixture of relevant exam questions focusing on the content studied that half term. Human and physical geography is assessed separately with their relevant subject teacher.

In addition to in class assessments, students are given the opportunity to sit mock exams in order to practise applying their knowledge in exam conditions. In Year 12 students sit mock exams in December and June, consisting of topics taught that year. In Year 13 students sit a December mock which takes the form of a full A-level paper alongside an additional topic assessment, giving them experience of sitting a full paper and providing them ample opportunity to practise exam technique and revision ahead of their final A-level exams.