Difficulty verdict

This series is moderately demanding (3/5). Short items are generous: multiple choice, graph completion, mean/range and percentage calculations are quick marks. The difficulty comes from the 6, 8 and 12-mark questions, where levels of response reward developed ideas plus place-specific detail.

Where the marks are

  • Paper 3 (60 marks) is the biggest single block: a synoptic task using a resource booklet. It ends with a 12-mark 'to what extent' question and a final 12-mark two-part judgement question, plus SPaG.
  • Fieldwork (Section B of Papers 1 and 2) is worth 18 marks each, including 3 SPaG marks. Paper 1 asks about your own physical fieldwork; Paper 2 gives you someone else's human fieldwork data to evaluate.
  • Papers 1 and 2 each contain five 6-8 mark case-study or evaluation questions across hazards, climate, landscapes, ecosystems, urban, development, UK and resources.

Pitfalls the mark scheme warns about

  • Case-study questions cap you at Level 2 without place-specific detail (named example, figures, locations).
  • Choosing the wrong hazard or case-study type (e.g. a drought for a flash flood/tropical storm question, or a tectonic event) caps or zeroes marks.
  • Explaining how greenhouse gases work rather than how humans contribute earns nothing.
  • In 'explain earthquakes' answers, describing volcanic eruptions or defining an earthquake gains no credit.
  • Fieldwork conclusions must be about the groynes' effect, not just the wind or drift direction; human fieldwork answered for a physical question is capped at Level 1.
  • Consequences such as 'more pollution' or 'increased poverty' need qualifying to score.

Strategy

  • Bank the quick marks first: calculations (show working), graph plotting, multiple choice.
  • For levels questions use a PEEL structure: point, named evidence, development, link to the question. Aim for two or three developed ideas rather than a list.
  • For evaluate/assess/to what extent, give a clear judgement and say why the opposing view is weaker.
  • On Paper 3, quote the figures and sources in the booklet then add your own understanding; plan your time because over half of its marks are in the last three questions.

Looking ahead

Changing Climate, UK in the 21st Century, landscapes and fieldwork appear almost every series, so they are safe revision priorities. Plate tectonics, tropical rainforests and 'Will we run out of natural resources?' are comparatively overdue as large-mark topics. Paper 3 follows the synoptic decision-making format, so practise reading resource booklets and weighing up stakeholders and sustainability.