How to pass A-Level Geography
Geography A-Level works best if you have a strong interest in the subject. This is because as an A-Level, it's a demanding area of study and to pass it, you need to show you are adept at writing essays, analysing data and explaining a range of ideas from erosion to globalisation and ecology. Here's what will help you pass.
Revise a wide background of information
As in revise, all the glossary definitions in physical and human geography also have a good stable of case studies with important facts and figures under your belt. This kind of revision is essential for essays and will help you score maximum marks in your exam. Without this knowledge, examiners won't feel you truly understand the subject, so don't miss out on the basics.
Go beyond your reading list
What really helps you pass Geography A-Level is to expand your knowledge of geography by going beyond your reading list. Further knowledge of all the themes you are studying, from ecology to geopolitics, social justice to migration, benefits your reasoning and your essay writing skills. This is because examiners don't want you to focus on the topic in a question but link it to the wider concepts in geography at the same time.
To help yourself to this, read current books on the topic areas, listen to podcasts by thought leaders in the field and read the latest opinion pieces and articles on interest areas.
For podcasts, try A Very Spatial Podcast and Geographical Imaginations; both are excellent podcasts that will expand your understanding.
For blogs, try Spatial Machinations by Sam Kinsley and Geography Realm, an information site about all things around physical and human geography, as well as guides for learning about geography.
Also, look at New York Times Geography, a space on NYTimes where readers can exchange informed commentary around geography.
Practice your essay writing skills
Knowing how to write a strong, clear geography essay is essential if you're aiming for a high mark in this subject. What will help here is to first practice writing detailed essay plans. Look at past papers and from these create a series of detailed essay plans with an introduction and conclusion and a balanced argument complete with case studies.
Practice doing this as much as you can and when you are ready try writing some full essays in time conditions. The aim here is to do this enough that eventually you can turn any plan into a perfectly timed, well thought out essay.
Use past papers and the examiners' report
While there haven't been actual exams for the last two years, it's still vital to look at past papers. Not only do they show you how questions are phrased but also how marks are awarded. This alongside the examiners' report, which has a detailed commentary on the whole exam paper, followed by an analysis of the paper question by question. It also has valuable insight into the common elements of success and which approaches served candidates best.
Work with a geography tutor
The benefit of a geography tutor is not just to guide you in the right direction but to also help you formulate opinions and show you how to implement these within essays. They can also help with analysing data and core geographical skills such as the reading of maps and diagrams and analysis of photographs.