Geography - A level

Assessment

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography consists of three externally examined papers and one non-examination assessment component. Paper 1 (Paper code: 9GE0/01) Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks Content overview1 ● Area of study 1, Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards ● Area of study 1, Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 2A: Glaciated Landscapes and Change or 2B: Coastal Landscapes and Change ● Area of study 3, Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity ● Area of study 3, Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security Assessment overview An externally-assessed written examination comprising three sections. Section A relates to Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards. Section B relates to Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change. Students answer questions on either Topic 2A: Glaciated Landscapes and Change or Topic 2B: Coastal Landscapes and Change. Section C relates to Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity and Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security. The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used. Paper 2 (Paper code: 9GE0/02) Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 105 marks Content overview1 ● Area of study 2, Topic 3: Globalisation ● Area of study 2, Topic 4: Shaping Places – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 4A Regenerating Places or 4B Diverse Places ● Area of study 4, Topic 7: Superpowers ● Area of study 4, Topic 8: Global Development and Connections – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 8A Health, Human Rights and Intervention or 8B Migration, Identity and Sovereignty Assessment overview An externally-assessed written examination comprising three sections. Section A relates to Topics 3 and 7: Globalisation/Superpowers. Section B relates to Topic 4: Shaping Places. Students answer questions on either Topic 4A: Regenerating Places or Topic 4B: Diverse Places. Section C relates to Topic 8: Global Development and Connections. Students answer questions on either Topic 8A: Health, Human Rights and Intervention or Topic 8B: Migration, Identity and Sovereignty. The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used. Paper 3 (*Paper code: 9GE0/03) Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes 20% of the qualification 70 marks Content overview The specification contains three synoptic themes within the compulsory1 content areas: ● Players ● Attitudes and actions ● Futures and uncertainties. The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas. Assessment overview An externally-assessed written examination. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue. All questions in the examination draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course. The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 8-mark, 18-mark and 24-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used. Non-examination assessment: Independent Investigation (9GE0/04) Non-examined assessment 20% of the qualification 70 marks Content overview ● The student defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification ● The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and own research and/or secondary data ● The fieldwork, which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation, may be either human, physical or integrated physical-human ● The investigation report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing ● Students will be expected to show evidence that they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to support their independent investigation as appropriate to the particular environment and/or location. Assessment overview ● The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated. ● The student will produce a written report of 3000–4000 words.