Switching to AQA: from OCR A

Living with the physical environment

Living in the UK today

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour

88 marks (35% of GCSE)

60 marks (30% of GCSE)

Challenges in the human environment

The world around us

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour

88 marks (35% of GCSE)

60 marks (30% of GCSE

Geographical applications

Geographical skills

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 30 minutes

1 hour 30 minutes

76 marks (30% of GCSE)

80 marks (40% of GCSE)

Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect

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

Theme one – landscapes of the UK

• 1.1.1 UK’s physical landscapes
• 1.1.2 Geomorphic processes
• 1.1.3 River landforms
• 1.1.4 Coastal landforms
• 1.1.5 Case studies
  • UK river basin
  • UK coastal landscape

3.1.2 – the living world

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

Theme two – people of the UK

• 1.2.1 UK trade
• 1.2.2 Diverse and unequal society
• 1.2.3 Causes and consequences of development
• 1.2.4 Population change
• 1.2.5 Causes and consequences or urban trends
• 1.2.6 Case study of major UK city

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

Theme three – UK environmental challenge

• 1.3.1 UK climate
• 1.3.2 Case study of UK flood event
• 1.3.3 Environments and ecosystems
• 1.3.4 – 1.3.5 Energy sources, management and future supplies

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.

Theme four – ecosystems of the planet

• 2.1.1 – 2.1.2  Components,   distribution and characteristics
• 2.1.3 Tropical rainforests
• 2.1.4 Coral reefs
• 2.1.5 Threats to ecosystems. Two case studies:
  • tropical rainforest
  • coral reef

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.

Theme five – people of the planet

• 2.2.1 – 2.2.2 uneven development
• 2.2.3 Case study of low income developing country (LIDC) or   emerging developing country (EDC)
• 2.2.4 Urban growth; megacities
• 2.2.5 Cause and consequences of rapid urbanisation in LIDC
• 2.2.6 Case study of major city in LIDC or EDC

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

Theme six – environmental threats to our planet

• 2.3.1 – 2.3.3 Climate change
• 2.3.4 Global atmospheric circulation
• 2.3.5 Extreme weather conditions
• 2.3.6 Case study of one drought event

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.

Theme seven – Geographical skills

• 3.1 Cartographic skills
• 3.2 Graphical skills
• 3.3 Numerical and statistical skills

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.

Theme eight – fieldwork

• Physical geography fieldwork
• Human geography fieldwork
• Fieldwork in unfamiliar contexts.