Advice and guidance on how to improve answers in AQA GCSE geography

1. Exam Technique
How to get top marks

2. The exams
• Paper 1 – Physical Geography
• Paper 2 – Human Geography
Both exams last 1 hour 30 minutes and you have to answer 3 questions.
That means you should spend no more than 30 minutes on each.
Each question is worth 25 marks. So, always work on one mark per minute.

3. The questions
• Each question is about a unit of work. The question numbers are in
the same order as the chapters in your book. ( e.g. The Restless Earth
is question 1 on the physical paper and is Chapter 1 in your book)
• Each question will be broken down into about five parts –
e.g.1a,1b,1c,1d,1e
• Questions worth 1, 2 or 3 marks will be points marked so you may use
bullet points
• Questions worth 4 marks or more (the maximum would be 8 marks)
are level marked and you must use full sentences.

4. Points Marked Questions
• Maximum 3 marks
• You may use bullet points
• Points made must be different

5. Question 2a
Describe the formation of igneous rocks (2
marks)
There are only two marks, so two points are sufficient, but try three
just in case. Remember you have two minutes, which is plenty of time –
as long as you have the knowledge.
1. Igneous rocks a formed from molten magma or lava that has cooled
and solidified.
2. Igneous rocks may form below the ground surface (intrusive) or on
the surface (extrusive)

6. Question 2b
Study Figure 3 on the insert, which shows the distribution of four different types of rock in
the United Kingdom (UK).
Describe the distribution of granite shown in figure 3. (2 marks)
This is a DESCRIBE question so, had it been four or more marks, you
would have written a general pattern, specific detail and exceptions in
full sentences. However, it is only two marks so we need to give two or
more points.
1. There are many outcrops of granite in Scotland
2. There are several outcrops, such as Dartmoor, in South West
England
3. There are some outcrops of granite in Northern Ireland and
Cumbria

7. Question 2ci
Study Figure 4 on the insert, which shows a chalk and clay landscape. Figure 5 is a black
and white copy of Figure 4. On Figure 5, mark with an arrow and label three landforms. (3
marks)
This is really a bit of a gift. BUT, make sure you make it very clear where
the arrows are pointing. Again, as there are three marks, try to do more
than three labels. No marks for the rock types – the question says
LANDFORMS
1. Scarp Slope
2. Dip Slope
3. Vale
4. Spring Line
5. Chalk Ridge
6. Dry Valley

8. Level Marked Questions
These questions will have 4 or more marks. Questions with 4, 5 or 6
marks will have 2 levels, questions with 7 or 8 marks will have 3 levels.
All these questions require extended writing and the quality of written
communication (QWC) is assessed.
You are expected to:
• present relevant information in a form and style that suits its purpose
• ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and
grammar are accurate
• use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.

9. Level Marked Questions (continued)
Level 1
1. Knowledge of basic information
2. Simple understanding
3. Little organisation; few links; little or no detail; uses a limited range
of specialist terms
4. Reasonable accuracy in the use of spelling, punctuation and
grammar
5. Text is legible.

10. Level Marked Questions (continued)
Level 2
1. Knowledge of accurate information
2. Clear understanding
3. Organised answers, with some linkages; occasional detail/exemplar;
uses a good range of specialist terms where appropriate
4. Considerable accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar
5. Text is legible.

11. Level Marked Questions (continued)
Level 3
Only 7 or 8 mark part questions. There is one such part question in each question. In paper
2 this part question will also have an extra 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
1. Knowledge of accurate information appropriately contextualised and/or at correct
scale
2. Detailed understanding, supported by relevant evidence and exemplars
3. Well organized, demonstrating detailed linkages and the inter-relationships between
factors
4. Clear and fluent expression of ideas in a logical form; uses a wide range of specialist
terms where appropriate
5. Accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar
6. Text is legible

12. Level Marked Questions (continued)
8 mark questions have three levels
• Level 1 : 1 – 4 marks
• Level 2 : 5 or 6 marks
• Level 3 : 7 or 8 marks
7 mark questions (rare) have 3 levels (1-4 marks, 5 or 6 marks and 7 marks)
6 mark questions have 2 levels (1-4 marks and 5 or 6 marks)
5 mark questions have 2 levels (1-3 marks and 4 or 5 marks)
4 mark questions have 2 levels (1&2 marks and 3&4 marks)
The examiner first decides what level your answer is using the general guidance
shown on previous slides, and then the specific guidance from the mark scheme.
He/she then judges where you are within the level to award a mark.

13. Question 2cii
Explain the formation of an escarpment/cuesta and vale.
You should refer to rock types and earth movements. (8
Marks)
This is an EXPLAIN question so we need to give causes in order to
answer it properly. The other key word is FORMATION which suggests
we need to discuss processes.
The examiner is helping you with the second sentence. It means you
must refer to both chalk and clay and you must talk about the tilting of
the sedimentary layers due to tectonic activity.
Sentences in extended answers should show linkages. In other words
they should follow the pattern:
X leads to Y that means that Z happens leading to A, B and C.

14. Question 2cii
Explain the formation of an escarpment/cuesta and vale. You
should refer to rock types and earth movements. (8 Marks)
• Level 1
Example answer:
Soft rock is eroded faster. There is a steep slope and a gentle slope.
The vale is flat and lower down than cuesta
Note that the statements are pretty random and it is more a
description than an explanation. The first sentence gives some
explanation so this could get 3 marks at the top of the level, but not
likely as it is so brief. No use of good vocabulary – all this keeps it in
level 1

15. Question 2cii
Explain the formation of an escarpment/cuesta and vale. You
should refer to rock types and earth movements. (8 Marks)
• Level 2
Example answer:
There are alternate bands of hard and soft rock – chalk and clay. The hard
rock does not erode as quickly as the soft rock and so it forms the higher
cuesta/escarpment whilst the clay forms the lower lying vale. The rocks are
not straight, they are tilted and this affects the cuesta
Here there Is definite explanation and there is some linkage (highlighted in
red). The sequential nature of the process – tilting, erosion, formation of
landform – is partly there, but is not clear, hence level 2.

16. Question 2cii
Explain the formation of an escarpment/cuesta and vale. You
should refer to rock types and earth movements. (8 Marks)
• Level 3
Example answer:
Harder chalk occurs next to softer clay. These layers are tilted at an angle to the surface as
a result of earth movements. Both start at a similar height and weathering and erosion
affect both – including carbonation on the chalk. The chalk is more resistant to erosion
than the clay as it is harder and therefore it erodes more slowly and lies above the
surrounding clay in the lower lying vale. There are two parts to the chalk
cuesta/escarpment. There is a steeper slope that cuts across the diagonal organisation of
the rock layers and the gentler dip slope that goes parallel with it. Thus, the rock structure
is important in forming the landforms with its characteristic scarp slope at right angles to
the tilt and the dip slope that follows it parallel to the tilt.
Statements are more fully developed and links are made. The sequence
of formation is complete as the events are implicitly linked to the
escarpment and vale. There is good use of vocabulary.

17. Question 2d
Draw a labelled sketch map to show the location of a
quarry that you have studied. (4 marks)
Even though this is a sketch and not a piece of writing it is still level marked (as it is more
than 3 marks).
A sketch map should have a scale, a north pointer, a title and,
if necessary, a key. You should always name specific places on
the map to show that you really know the case study.
Level 1 (Basic) 1 – 2 marks
Simple, partial sketch map. General features – may refer to any quarry. Likely to show
presence of settlement, road/railway, quarry itself – will ring true for example/quarry.
Level 2 (Clear) 3 – 4 marks
‘Complete’, clear sketch map/ Can visualise location. There is some specific reference to
the case study used – via place names, roads named/numbered, other features.

18. Question 2d
Draw a labelled sketch map to show the location of a quarry
that you have studied. (4 marks)
A level 1
response
shows you
have some
idea of the
location of
the quarry
but there is
no real
detail

19. Question 2d
Draw a labelled sketch map to show the location of a quarry
that you have studied. (4 marks)
A level 2
response gives
detail such as
road numbers,
a north
pointer and a
scale.Note
that
settlements
are named.

20. Question 2e
Figure 6 shows a variety of people who have different opinions about the development of a new
quarry.
Figure 6
• Owner of holiday home in quarry village
• School leaver in local town
• Local café owner
• Quarry owner
• Local resident working in quarry
• Rambler
Select one person in favour of the new quarry and one person against the new quarry and outline
their different opinions.
Person in favour of new quarry ..................... (letter)
Person against new quarry ..................... (letter)

21. Question 2e
This is a 6 mark question and is level marked so you need to write in
full sentences.
Level 1 (Basic) 1 – 4 marks Simple statements, perhaps describes one
view only. Separate ideas – but aware of view(s). Local café owner will
be for the quarry. Customers will go in and money will be made.
Rambler will be against the quarry as it spoils the view.

22. Question 2e
Level 2 (Clear) 5 – 6 marks Develops statements and makes links. Clear
awareness of different views.
Café owner (in favour) - Workers from quarry and lorry drivers going to
the quarry will call into my café and buy food and drinks. This will boost
my business – often I have few people in the winter. I will be able to
employ more staff.
Rambler (against) - I come to walk in beautiful countryside and see
wildlife. I don’t want to see the area ruined by a big white hole in the
ground that can be seen for miles. Not to mention the noise from the
blasting and the heavy lorries on the road.

23. Conclusion
• Spend one minute for each mark
• Never spend more than 30 minutes on a whole question
• Part questions worth 3 marks or fewer are point marked and you can
use bullet points
• Part questions of 4 marks or more are level marked and you must
write in full sentences (QWC and SPAG)
• Sentences should show linkages and inter relationships with detailed
knowledge of examples and theory.