GCSE (for first teaching in 2009) Geography A - J380

Units

Please find below the units which are available for this qualification.

Unit title and description

Assessment
incl. duration

Weighting
Unit A671: Extreme Environments – Exploring Landscape and Process
  • Candidates study two contrasting environments: desert environment and one chosen from polar or mountain environment
  • Where they are found, what they are like, how we use them and what challenges they pose for people.

Written examination

1 hour

Section A: Candidates are required to answer two structured questions based on the 'hot desert' areas

Section B: Candidates are required to answer two questions based on their chosen extreme environment

25%
Unit A672: You as a Global Citizen
  • Candidates must complete two pieces of work – at least one must involve primary data collection
  • First piece - investigate how consumer decisions may have an impact on people, at a local or global scale
  • Second piece – investigate a local retail area and assess the extent to which this area is sustainable and make suggestions to improve its future sustainability
  • Presentation formats include poems, posters, video, oral and cartoons.

Controlled assessment

Externally moderated

Tasks will rotate each year

Work can be submitted electronically

25%
Unit A673: Similarities and Differences
  • Candidates study a location in the UK that is special to them ('your place') and one non-UK city or region
  • Links between the two locations should be identified and explored
  • This unit includes 'How do you feel about your place?', 'How is it represented by others?' and 'What are the major issues affecting your place at the moment?'.

Written examination

1 hour

25%
Unit A674: Shaping our Fast-changing World
  • Candidates will deal with identifying issues, effects and possible future scenarios
  • Issues covered in this unit will be of global concern and could include population change, our changing planet, trade, aid and superpowers
  • Resources for this unit are available in advance as a pre-release booklet. These may have a physical bias or human bias (or both)
  • There will be a synoptic element to this unit – the skills required can be achieved through the teaching of the three other units and exposure to contemporary materials collected during the course.

Computer-based test or written examination

1 hour

25%

Assessment objectives

The assessment objectives are designed to reflect the non-statutory guidelines for Geography A.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following in the context of the content described:

AO1

Recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of places, environments and concepts.

AO2

Apply their knowledge and understanding in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

AO3

Select and use a variety of skills, techniques and technologies to investigate, analyse and evaluate questions and issues.