how to succeed at gcse geography

How to How to succeed at succeed at

GCSE GCSE GeographyGeography

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• Answer ONLY 3 the following 3 questions– Section A - 1 Restless Earth– Section A – 2 Rocks, resources and Scenery– Section B – 7 The Coastal Zone

Interpreting Features and Interpreting Features and Landforms from Landforms from

photographs and OS photographs and OS mapsmapsmm

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Wave Cut Platform – Dancing Wave Cut Platform – Dancing Ledge, DorsetLedge, Dorset

Granite Tor – Combestone Granite Tor – Combestone DartmoorDartmoor

Coastal Stack and Stumps - Coastal Stack and Stumps - Mupe Rocks, DorsetMupe Rocks, Dorset

Broad Scars Limestone Pavement – Broad Scars Limestone Pavement – Malham Yorkshire Dales National ParkMalham Yorkshire Dales National Park

1. Read the question1. Read the question

• If a question asks you to describe, only describe DO NOT EXPLAIN!

• ‘Describing’ questions usually do not have many marks so do not waste your time writing in too much detail.

• Time is valuable in exams, use it wisely.

Example 1Example 1• This question asks you to give two examples. Do not be

fooled by the space they have given you to write. • There is only 2 marks available. You will not be given

extra marks for any explanations.

LEDCs and MEDCs can be affected in the same way by global warming.

Give two examples.

Example 1

Example 2

2. Look at the marks2. Look at the marks

• If you look at how many marks are available for the question this gives you some idea of how much you have to write and what to include.

• For example, you will have to include more detail for a 4 mark question than for a two mark question.

Example 2Example 2• This question asks you to explain two effects

and is worth 4 marks.• One mark will be awarded for each landform

and another mark for each explanation.

Explain the formation of landforms shown in the rectangle marked X on Figure 20

Example 3Example 3

• This question is worth 8 marks. It would be sensible to make 4 relevant points and give 4 good explanations to achieve full marks.

Explain why coastal areas such as Lyme Regis use both hard and soft engineering strategies.

3. Write neatly3. Write neatly

• Make sure that the examiner can read what you are writing.

• An examiner does not want to spend a lot of time working out what words you have written and might even ignore important terms you have used because it is not legible.

4.Check your spag4.Check your spag

• Make sure you check your spelling, punctuation and grammar!

• The examiner can award extra marks for correct use of spag.

• This could make the difference between one grade and another!

5. REVISE, REVISE, REVISE!5. REVISE, REVISE, REVISE!• Make sure you know all your topics

thoroughly!• Organise your folder into sections and revise

one section at a time.• It might help to devise a revision timetable.

You could do this for each subject and set time aside for each topic.

• Take a 5 minute break every 20 minutes. This will help you to concentrate and help you to remember more facts!

And finally….And finally….

Relax, Don’t panic!

You have all the knowledge!

Show the examiner how you can apply your knowledge to the questions set.