Paper 3: Geographical Applications

Paper 3 is unique in AQA GCSE Geography because it tests skills and application rather than just topic knowledge. It has two sections: issue evaluation and fieldwork.

Structure of Paper 3

• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total marks: 76 marks
• Section A (Issue evaluation): 37 marks — uses the pre-release resources booklet
• Section B (Fieldwork): 39 marks — questions about your two fieldwork investigations

Section A: Issue Evaluation

You receive a pre-release resources booklet 12 weeks before the exam. It covers a contemporary geographical issue (physical or human). The booklet contains: maps, graphs, photographs, text extracts, data tables.

The exam questions move from lower-order skills (describe, identify) to higher-order (evaluate, justify a decision). The 9-mark decision-making question is the most demanding.

Section B: Fieldwork

Questions test your knowledge of both your fieldwork investigations:

1. Physical environment investigation (e.g. river, coast, ecosystem)
2. Human environment investigation (e.g. urban change, rural land use, economic geography)

Questions assess:

• Your choice and justification of data collection methods
• Data presentation and analysis
• Conclusion writing
• Evaluation of limitations and improvements

Skills tested throughout Paper 3

• Source interpretation (maps, graphs, photos)
• Data manipulation (percentage calculations, median, range)
• Qualitative and quantitative reasoning
• Structured decision-making (SEC)
• Fieldwork methodology

Revision approach

• Section A: use the booklet; annotate thoroughly; do additional research; practise extended answers
• Section B: know both fieldwork investigations in detail — specific methods, equipment, locations, data, conclusions and evaluations