Geography · mark scheme guide

Extended Geography answers: evaluate or stay in Level 1

Extended Geography questions reward three things: knowing the place or process (AO1), applying it to the question’s context (AO2), and evaluating to a conclusion (AO3). Most mid-band answers describe well but never weigh anything up.

Where the marks come from

AO1 — Knowledge (up to 8 marks)

Detailed place and environment knowledge with accurate geographical terminology and case-study specifics.

AO2 — Application & analysis (up to 8 marks)

Applying that knowledge to this question — analysing processes, not reciting a memorised case study.

AO3 — Evaluation (up to 8 marks)

Weighing evidence, using data, and drawing a supported conclusion that actually answers “to what extent”.

The level ladder

Level 37–9Thorough application; evaluates evidence; well-supported conclusion using accurate data.
Level 24–6Some application and analysis; limited evaluation; partial conclusion.
Level 11–3Isolated recall; descriptive; little terminology.

Summarised from official AQA level descriptors. Always check the full mark scheme for your specification — and your teacher’s judgement is the most reliable guide.

How to move up a band

1Use named, specific detail: “the 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed ~9,000” beats “many people died in the earthquake”.
2If the question says “to what extent”, your last paragraph must literally answer to what extent.
3Quote figures from any resource provided — using the data is AO3, ignoring it caps you.
4Structure as for / against / judgement rather than everything-I-know.
5Deploy terminology precisely: interlocking spurs, gentrification, orographic rainfall — accurate terms are AO1 evidence.

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