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You sit TWO papers: one at the end of year 10, and
another at the end of year 11.
TIMINGS
2) Test Me
Work in pairs, pick a topic to become the ‘expert’ in your partner becomes the ‘expert’ in a
different topic. Then bombard each other with questions on their topic. You get a point for
each question you get right and keep answering questions until you get one wrong. Then it’s
your turn to be the questioner!
3) Picture it
Make a series of revision notes using only pictures. It has to be obvious what you are showing
as your buddy has to explain it back to you.
5) Word association
With a buddy play a word association game. Pick a theme, then you have to associate as many
words as you can, of a geographical nature, around that theme. No hesitation or repetition!!!
6) Bite Size it
Reduce the topic to a ‘Bite sized’ format – i.e. chunk it down! Summarise the key points, case
studies etc. You could use a visual format for each. For example, draw a big mouth – the lips
can have the topic title; teeth can have key words on them; the tongue can have case studies.
7) Just a minute
Work in two’s or fours and work through a revision topic. Then somebody selects a theme
within it. You then have to talk for a minute (as the panel game) without repetition, hesitation
or deviation. An example would be the Unit ‘Settlement’ and the theme, map skills; you then
have to talk about map skills.
8) Taboo
You have to describe a key word, but are not allowed to use certain words. For example,
describe the word ‘earthquake’ but you cannot use ‘shaking, plate margin, vibration’. Use a point
system in teams to make it more fun!
10) Pictionary
Work in teams of two. You have to draw a key word selected from a topic by the opposite
team. Your partner has to work out what word or key term you are trying to draw. To add to
the challenge, use a time limit as well!
Exam Technique
Examination success depends not only
upon how well you know your geography COMMAND WORDS: Know what they are asking.
but also being able to use this to give the Write what you’re being asked to, not what you want to!
examiners the information they are asking.
Examiners help you give the correct
Compare: Write what is similar and different
information by using ‘command words’.
Some common commands are below. Give between two pieces of information. Use the word
exactly what is asked and you should do ‘whereas’ to help you compare.
well.
Describe: Just write what you see. You may be
Be prepared! asked to describe what you see on a photo, graph or
map. Do not explain if you are only asked to
There are no secrets to success in
exams. Providing you have revised describe.
effectively and are well organised, you
should do as well in the exams as your Explain/give reasons: You are now being asked to
geography ability will allow. say why something you have already described is
happening. Use ‘because’ to help you answer these
1. Revision questions.
start early There are often two marks awarded for giving just
ask if there is anything you one reason. Where this happens you will be
don’t understand – don’t leave expected to give a simple statement and its
it to hoping it won’t come up in elaboration. Ask yourself ‘so what’ to find the
the exam! elaboration.
attend any extra lessons
offered Justify: You could be asked to justify a decision.
work out a realistic revision Explain the choice(s) in terms of why they
timetable are better than other options available. You
find a space where you are may also include ways in which the choice is
happy to revise not perfect, but highlight the bad points of
make your revision active, the other options.
don’t just read
follow up a period of effective Measure: You may be asked to measure on a map or
revision with a reward graph. Don’t guess – measure accurately using the
scale provided.
2. On examination days
arrive in plenty of time Suggest: This is similar to explain but tells you
know your centre and that you are expected to bring in ideas and
candidate numbers understanding of our own and is not provided on the
make sure you are fully paper.
equipped
take two pens, two pencils… What is meant by?: You are being asked to give a
it’s much easier if the one definition of a geographical term. You must know
you’re using runs out or the main terms for each of the four Units. When
breaks. asked for a definition, giving an example is not
The World of Case Studies
Case study questions have the largest proportion of marks, so it is very important
that you revise case studies in detail and are able to use them to answer questions.
Remember to use them whenever you can, even if they don’t specifically ask you to!
Development
Contrasts in development UK – Kenya (global)
UK – Poland (within EU)
Obstacles to development (reasons Drought and desertification – Sahel
for the development gap) Flooding – Bangladesh
Malaria – Central Africa
Solutions to the drought hazard Appropriate technology: Machakos – Kenya
Sustainable (long-term) aid: WaterAid,
Ethiopia
Aid Short term- e.g. Band Aid, Ethiopia; DEC –
Disaster Emergency Committee, Sumatra (Tsunami)
Tourism
UK coastal resort Swanage