As a seasoned educator in the field of teaching and tutoring, I’ve observed a significant shift in the evaluation process for AQA GCSE Geography – the transition from ‘Controlled assessment’ (coursework) to exam-based assessments becoming the norm. Although recent adjustments due to Covid-19 may have altered the format of past papers, we are now back to the standard exam format, which divides the paper into two main sections. This paper accounts for 30% of your final GCSE grade.
Unlike typical exams, Geography Paper 3 stands out due to its emphasis on geographical skills and critical thinking. Throughout your Key Stage 3 learning, you’ve been honing these skills, and this is your opportunity to demonstrate them effectively. Aim to ‘Think like a geographer!’
Section A: Issue Evaluation, is where you’ll showcase your analytical skills and geographical acumen by examining a real-world issue using resources provided in a pre-release booklet. You’ll apply your knowledge of both physical and human geography to evaluate the issue from multiple perspectives, analyze the pros and cons, and justify your preferred solution.
Twelve weeks prior to the exam, you’ll receive the pre-release booklet to help you prepare. During the exam, you’ll use a clean copy of the booklet to answer questions and craft a comprehensive response that demonstrates your judgement and reasoning.
The pre-release booklet introduces a new case study related to one or more topics studied in GCSE Geography. It features a variety of resources such as maps, graphs, photos, and text, as well as viewpoints from stakeholders, which you’ll incorporate in your longer answers and decision-making process.
It’s important to note that the pre-release booklet is exclusive to students and can only be distributed by your school.
Each year, the Issue Evaluation is based on a different real-world geographical challenge. Here’s a list of themes appearing in previous exams:
* Sustainable development
* Urban issues and challenges
* Natural hazards and disasters
* Resource management
* Global development and interdependence
* Changing cities
* The challenge of migration
The paper features a mix of question types, including multiple-choice, short-answer, levels of response (like explain or assess), and extended prose questions.
Lower-scoring questions may require you to directly apply your numeracy and map skills, such as measuring distances on maps or analyzing graphs.
The final and most crucial question requires you to make a decision about the issue, using evidence from the booklet and your geography knowledge. You’ll need to write a well-structured argument, express your opinion, and suggest appropriate action.
Although the exact question for this summer’s paper remains unknown, practicing planning an answer around a decision or judgement – for example, whether a development project should proceed – can be beneficial.
The 9-mark decision question at the end of Section A is assessed based on Assessment Objectives AO3 (interpret, analyze, and evaluate geographical information and issues to make judgements) and AO4 (investigate issues and communicate findings).
This is your opportunity to display high-level thinking and evaluation skills. To achieve the top level, you must apply your knowledge and understanding extensively using information from the pre-release document. This means going beyond simple description – you should develop your ideas using a wide range of evidence from the resources, making clear, specific connections between different parts of the specification.
Clear and concise communication of your ideas is crucial. Merely listing facts from the booklet or writing a general opinion isn’t enough – you must use the data provided to support your judgement, emphasizing and developing points in detail.
Strong answers demonstrate a well-reasoned, balanced argument that leads to a supported and thoughtful conclusion.
You’ll have twelve weeks to prepare using the pre-release resource booklet your teacher provides. This booklet is an invaluable tool for your exam success, so make the most of it!
