If you’re taking AQA GCSE Geography, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect, from how the exam is structured to how to prepare effectively.
Whether you’re just starting revision or getting closer to exam day, understanding the exam format, assessment objectives, and key topics will help you feel calm, confident, and in control.
Key takeaways
AQA GCSE Geography is made up of three exam papers, all taken at the end of the course
You’ll be assessed on physical geography, human geography, fieldwork, and geographical skills
There is no coursework, but fieldwork knowledge is examined
Grade boundaries change each year, but past data can help you set realistic targets
Practising exam-style questions and case studies is one of the best ways to improve your marks
What’s the format for AQA Geography GCSE?
The AQA GCSE Geography exam consists of the following:
Three written exam papers (all 1 hour 30 mins)
A total of 252 marks available
Papers 1 & 2 account for 35% of your total grade, and Paper 3 is 30% of your total grade.
All exams are taken at the end of Year 11
There is no non-exam assessment (coursework). Your final grade is based entirely on the three exams
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What’s the difference between Papers 1, 2 and 3 for AQA Geography?
All three papers are equally important, but they assess different geographical skills and types of thinking. Understanding how each paper works will help you prepare more effectively and avoid surprises in the exam.
Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment
Paper 1 focuses on physical geography and how natural processes shape landscapes and environments.
In the exam, you’ll be asked to:
Answer a mix of short questions and longer extended responses
Use case study knowledge accurately
Interpret maps, photographs, diagrams, and data
Explain processes, causes, effects, and management strategies
Questions often build from simpler recall to longer answers that require explanation and application. This paper rewards a clear understanding of physical processes and the ability to use evidence to support explanations.
Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment
Paper 2 focuses on human geography and how people interact with the environment at local, national, and global scales.
In the exam, you’ll be asked to:
Answer structured questions of increasing difficulty
Apply knowledge to real-world contexts
Compare places and viewpoints
Evaluate different strategies or approaches
This paper places slightly more emphasis on decision-making and evaluation, especially in longer-mark questions. A clear structure, the use of examples, and balanced arguments are key to achieving higher marks.
Paper 3: Geographical Applications
Paper 3 is different from Papers 1 and 2. It’s designed to test how well you can apply your geographical knowledge and skills, rather than just recall content.
It includes two sections:
Issue evaluation
Based on a pre-released resource booklet provided before the exam
Tests your ability to analyse information, assess options, and make justified decision
Fieldwork
Tests understanding of both physical and human fieldwork
You’re assessed on methods, data collection, presentation, analysis, and conclusions, not on completing coursework
Across the paper, you’ll need to:
Interpret unfamiliar resources
Use geographical skills confidently
Justify conclusions using evidence
This paper rewards clear reasoning, data skills, and well-structured answers, rather than memorised case studies alone.
How the papers differ at a glance
Papers 1 and 2 focus more on subject knowledge and structured exam questions
Paper 3 focuses on applying knowledge, skills, and judgement
Paper 3 uses pre-release material and fieldwork understanding, making preparation slightly different
All three papers include geographical skills, but Paper 3 relies on them most heavily
Understanding these differences helps you tailor your revision so you’re practising the right skills for each paper, not just revising content.
What are examiners looking for?
AQA Geography examiners assess your work using clear assessment objectives. In simple terms, they want to see that you can:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of places, processes, environments, and issues
AO2: Apply that knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and interpret information
AO3: Analyse and evaluate geographical information, data, and evidence
To reach the top grades, you’ll need to:
Use specific case study details Examiners want named places, facts, and figures, not vague descriptions.
Answer the question directly Always focus on exactly what the command word is asking (for example: explain, compare, evaluate).
Structure longer answers clearly Use clear paragraphs and make sure each point is developed with evidence. A simple way to do this is the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). You can learn how to use it effectively in our guide: How to use the PEEL technique to write an effective essay.
Explain and evaluate, not just describe Higher-mark questions reward explanation, judgement, and balanced conclusions.
What are the grade boundaries for AQA Geography?
It’s important to remember that the exact grade boundaries for your GCSE exams will change every year. Exam boards adjust grade boundaries after an exam, depending on the exam's difficulty and how the cohort performed.
This is so students don’t have an advantage or disadvantage because of the year they took the paper. For example, if your paper were harder, grade boundaries would be lowered so that a grade 5 reflects the same level of knowledge as in previous years.
To give a sense of what to expect, here are the grade boundaries for AQA Geography GCSE from the last year:
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What key topics do I need to know for AQA Geography?
Unlike some subjects, everyone studies the same core topics in AQA GCSE Geography (with a few optional choices).
Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment
The challenge of natural hazards
The living world
Physical landscapes in the UK - coasts, rivers and glacial landscapes (optional)
Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment
Urban issues and challenges
The changing economic world
The challenge of resource management
Paper 3: Geographical Applications
Issue evaluation
Fieldwork - human and physical fieldwork
Geographical skills - maps, graphs and data analysis
Past papers help you understand question styles, see how marks are awarded, and build confidence with real exam timing and structure.
Head to the AQA website to find past papers and mark schemes from previous GCSE Geography exams.
How can I prepare for AQA Geography?
Here are 5 top tips to help you prepare confidently for your AQA GCSE Geography exams.
1. Learn case studies properly
GCSE Geography relies heavily on case studies. Make sure you know for each one:
Where it is
Why it’s relevant
Key facts and figures
Causes, effects, and management
Top tip: Practise applying the same case study to different questions.
2. Practise exam-style questions regularly
Knowing content isn’t enough; you need to practise using it.
Answer short questions accurately
Practise 6- and 9-mark questions regularly
Focus on timing and structure
Short, regular practice is more effective than long revision sessions once in a while.
Top tip: Different mark questions require different approaches. Understanding how much detail to include and how to structure your answer can make a big difference to your score.
Focus your revision on the question types you find hardest.
5. Practise geographical skills little and often
Skills questions appear across all three papers. Practise:
Reading OS maps
Interpreting graphs and data
Using figures and evidence in answers
The more familiar these feel, the calmer you’ll be in the exam.
AQA GCSE Geography rewards clear knowledge, strong case studies, and confident exam technique. With the right preparation and regular practice, you’ll go into the exam knowing exactly what’s expected and how to show it.
Save this guide and come back to it as you revise. Good luck! 💪🌍
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