Switching to AQA: from OCR B

Living with the physical environment

Our natural world

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 15 minutes

88 marks (35% of GCSE)

70 marks (35% of GCSE)

Challenges in the human environment

People and society

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 15 minutes

88 marks (35% of GCSE)

70 marks (35% of GCSE)

Geographical applications

Geographical exploration

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 30 minutes

76 marks (30% of GCSE)

60 marks (30% of GCSE)

3.1 Living with the physical environment

3.1.1 – the challenge of natural hazards

• 3.1.1.1 Natural hazards
• 3.1.1.2 Tectonic hazards
• 3.1.1.3 Weather hazards
• 3.1.1.4 Climate changes

Topic one – global hazards

• 1.1a.b Weather hazards
• 1.2a.b.c Tectonic hazards

3.1.2 – the living world

• 3.1.2.1 Ecosystems
• 3.1.2.2 Tropical rainforests
• 3.1.2.3 Hot deserts or
• 3.1.2.4 Cold environments

Topic two – changing climate

2.1a.b.c Evidence for climate change; natural processes; climate change as a global issue.

3.1.3 – physical landscapes in the UK

• 3.1.3.1 Overview of UK physical landscapes

Two from:

• 3.1.3.2 Coastal landscapes in the UK
• 3.1.3.3 River landscapes in the UK
• 3.1.3.4 Glacial landscapes in the UK

Topic three – sustaining ecosystems

• 4.1a Ecosystems; distribution and characteristics
• 4.2a.b Tropical rainforests
• 4.3a.b Polar environments

3.2.1 Section A – urban issues and challenges:

Including case study of major city in an LIC or NEE and a case study of a major city in the UK.

Topic five – urban futures

• 5.1a. b Urban growth and megacities; causes and consequences of rapid urban growth
• 5.2a.b Challenges and opportunities in cities; sustainability.

3.2.2 Section B – the changing economic world

Including development indicators, causes of uneven development and a case study of a LIC or NEE.

Topic six – dynamic development

• 6.1a.b Development, measurement; uneven development
• 6.2a.b Case study of an LIDC; TNCs; development strategies.

3.2.3 Section C – the challenge of resource management

3.2.3.1 Resource management. Overview of resources in relation to the UK. One from:

• 3.2.3.2 Food
• 3.2.3.3 Water
• 3.2.3.4 Energy

Topic seven – how is the UK changing in the 21^st century?

• 7.1a.b.c Overview of human and physical characteristics of the UK; changing population; changing economy
• 7.2a.b UK’s political role in the world; changing cultural influence

Topic eight – resource reliance

• 8.1a Increasing demand for resources
• 8.2a.b.c Food security; case study of one country’s attempt to achieve food security; sustainable strategies.

3.3.1 Section A – issue evaluation

Using pre-release resource issued 12 weeks before the date of the exam. Theme based on compulsory part of the specification.

Topic nine – geographical skills

9.1 Cartographic skills

9.2 Graphical skills

9.3 Numerical and statistical skills

9.4 Formulate enquiry and argument

This paper will include a decision-making exercise.

3.3.2 Section B – fieldwork

Assessment based on two geographical enquiries completed by candidates and on fieldwork materials from an unfamiliar context. One enquiry must focus on human geography and the second enquiry must focus on physical geography. One of the enquiries must show an understanding about the interaction between physical and human geography.