The GCSE Syllabus that is followed at KS4 is the WJEC Syllabus B.
Over the 2 year course pupils study 3 themes:
1. Challenges of living in a built environment
2. People & the natural world interactions
3. People, work & development
There are 2 controlled assessments; one is worth 10% and is on a specified issue (directed by the exam board) and the second is worth 15% and is an enquiry based on a field trip (again the title is directed by the exam board). The controlled assessments change on an annual basis according to the titles released by the exam board.
There are two exams:
1. Challenges & Interactions in Geography - 1 hour, 30% of the marks
2. Development & Problem Solving - 2 hours, 45% of the marks
At the moment pupils sit the first exam in the June of year 10 and both controlled assessments are completed in the first term of year 11. Pupils have the opportunity to resit the first exam at the end of year 11.
To see a full copy of the syllabus and specimen exam papers please go to the WJEC website:
www.wjec.co.uk and click on the Geography section.
Mark Scheme
In geography the following mark scheme will be used to mark your work. For practice case study questions the levels will be used and for other pieces of work grades will be used (grades from A - U, A being the highest and U the lowest). Your teacher will inform you of which mark scheme they are using.
NOTE: Choose your case studies carefully. Read the questions carefully, do not just write everything you know answer the question that is given.
You will also complete past paper questions on a regular basis and be given a grade for these. This will help you to practice your exam technique and to track your progress through the syllabus.
2. People & the natural world interactions
3. People, work & development
There are 2 controlled assessments; one is worth 10% and is on a specified issue (directed by the exam board) and the second is worth 15% and is an enquiry based on a field trip (again the title is directed by the exam board). The controlled assessments change on an annual basis according to the titles released by the exam board.
There are two exams:
1. Challenges & Interactions in Geography - 1 hour, 30% of the marks
2. Development & Problem Solving - 2 hours, 45% of the marks
At the moment pupils sit the first exam in the June of year 10 and both controlled assessments are completed in the first term of year 11. Pupils have the opportunity to resit the first exam at the end of year 11.
To see a full copy of the syllabus and specimen exam papers please go to the WJEC website:
www.wjec.co.uk and click on the Geography section.
Mark Scheme
In geography the following mark scheme will be used to mark your work. For practice case study questions the levels will be used and for other pieces of work grades will be used (grades from A - U, A being the highest and U the lowest). Your teacher will inform you of which mark scheme they are using.
NOTE: Choose your case studies carefully. Read the questions carefully, do not just write everything you know answer the question that is given.
You will also complete past paper questions on a regular basis and be given a grade for these. This will help you to practice your exam technique and to track your progress through the syllabus.
