OCR Geography C - Exam Layout

GCSE Geography revision: Exam layout

Paper Length: 2 hours & 15 minutes

Total marks: 100

Timing: Use 15 mins to read through the paper thoroughly. 30 minutes to answer each question. DO NOT allow longer on any one question. Complete them all, and then go back if you have time left over.

Higher tier answers are written on lined exam paper

Foundation tier answers are written on the question paper

Layout of the exam paper

SECTION A: answer 2 of 3 questions labelled A1, A2, A3. the theme is ‘PLACES’ so the questions will be about the EU, LEDC’s and MEDC’s but could cover any aspect of Geography you have studied.

SECTION B: answer either B4 or B5. This is the PHYSICAL SYSTEMS section. Either question could combine weather & climate, weathering and erosion, rivers, coasts and natural hazards.

SECTION C: answer either C6 or C7. This section covers ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AND DEVELOPMENT and includes population and settlement. This could be for anywhere in the world.

Any question could ask you to use an OS map, graph, satellite image, photograph, cartoon or other maps and diagrams. (Remember you can draw maps and diagrams in your answers if it helps to answer the question).

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Each question is worth the same marks (25 marks). The first 16 marks are resource based (this means you answer questions about information they give you – a bit like the first part of the DME). The last marks are for you to develop a case study that you know well.

It is very important you read all the questions very carefully before you start because later questions sometimes give you information you can use in your answers!

Using the resources in the exam

Read the question very carefully and make sure you are looking at the correct picture, map etc. Next, annotate the map, graph, picture etc to show important things that you noticed e.g. high and low points, large contrasts, or anything that you recognise as important to the question you need to answer. By all means, write on the resource sheet if it helps you to structure your answer!

Don’t panic if you do not understand the graph to start with, read the labels, look at the title and the key carefully (diagrams, maps & satellite images).

Remember, the first 4 or 5 marks for each question are awarded for how well you look at the resources.

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Each question is structured as follows:

Parts a & b
Need short accurate answers and are ‘point’ marked: 1 mark for each point made. 2 marks for each part.

Parts c &d
These need to be written in full sentences – at least 2-3 sentences for each. They are marked according to levels: Level 1 is achieved by giving a basic point, Level 2 by extending or adding to this and Level 3 by developing a full, concise answer. They are worth 6 marks each.

Part e
This is the case study question worth 9 marks. Level 1 for a short description, Level 2 for extending this and Level 3 for an answer that meets all the requirements of the question.

For all the levelled answers, you will get to a higher level if you use good English with Geographical vocabulary, clear evidence from the resources (names, places, years etc) and in pert e, really show that you know the case study well. Use place names and recent events (if they are relevant e.g. Philippines landslide).

Finally, revise as thoroughly as you can: use a revision guide and revision websites to help you.

Websites sources of revision:

BBC Bitesize www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

S-Cool www.s-cool.co.uk

Internet Geography www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk

Revision time www.revisiontime.com/gcse_geography.html

The Geography Site www.geography-site.co.uk

Reply 1

Kzert11

You are a legend, thanks a lot :smile:

Reply 2

Smile_Please

thank you

thats useful just to put mind at ease going into the exam im stupidly more worried about geography then maths and i really dont know whY!

Reply 3

Tehgiggles.

Thanks alot.

"Foundation tier answers are written on the question paper"

Answers are already there, are they? :p:

Reply 4

Kzert11

Does anyone have any past papers for this exam?

Reply 5

AisAis

SECTION A: answer 2 of 3 questions labelled A1, A2, A3. the theme is ‘PLACES’ so the questions will be about the EU, LEDC’s and MEDC’s but could cover any aspect of Geography you have studied.