AQA GCE Geography Specification - AS and A2 exams 2011 onwards (version 2.0)

Sep 5, 2026

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GCE Geography specification outlining the structure and delivery of AS and A2 exams from 2011 onwards, version 2.0. It explains why learners choose AQA and the Geography qualification, detailing progression from GCSE, two A Level assessment pathways, topic choice within units, and support mechanisms for teachers. The document presents an at-a-glance overview, unit content for GEOG1–GEOG3 and GEOG4A/GEOG4B, and covers schemes of assessment, objectives, administration, and assessment arrangements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Why choose AQA?

Why choose Geography?

How do I start using this specification?

How can I find out more?

Specification at a Glance

Subject Content

Unit 1 GEOG1 Physical and Human Geography

Unit 2 GEOG2 Geographical Skills

Unit 3 GEOG3 Contemporary Geographical Issues

Unit 4A GEO4A Geography Fieldwork Investigation

Unit 4B GEO4B Geographical Issue Evaluation

Skills Checklist

Scheme of Assessment

Aims

Assessment Objectives (AOs)

National Criteria

Prior Learning

Synoptic Assessment and Stretch and Challenge

Access to Assessment for Disabled Students

Administration

Availability of Assessment Units and Certification

Entries

Private Candidates

Access Arrangements and Special Consideration

Language of Examinations

Qualification Titles

Awarding Grades and Reporting Results

Re-sits and Shelf-life of Unit Results

Appendices

A Performance Descriptions

B Spiritual, Moral, Ethical, Social and other Issues

C Overlaps with other Qualifications

D Key Skills – Teaching, Developing and Providing Opportunities for Generating Evidence

GCE AS and A Level Speciﬁcation Geography AS exams 2011 onwards A2 exams 2011 onwards GCE Geography Specification for AS exams 2011 onwards and A2 exams 2011 onwards (version 2.0) Contents | 1 | Introduction | 2 | | --- | --- | --- | | 1.1 | Why choose AQA? | 2 | | 1.2 | Why choose Geography? | 2 | | 1.3 | How do I start using this specification? | 3 | | 1.4 | How can I find out more? | 3 | | 2 | Specification at a Glance | 4 | | 3 | Subject Content | 5 | | 3.1 | Unit 1 GEOG1 Physical and Human Geography | 7 | | 3.2 | Unit 2 GEOG2 Geographical Skills | 9 | | 3.3 | Unit 3 GEOG3 Contemporary Geographical Issues | 10 | | 3.4 | Unit 4A GEO4A Geography Fieldwork Investigation | 13 | | 3.5 | Unit 4B GEO4B Geographical Issue Evaluation | 14 | | 3.6 | Skills Checklist | 16 | | 4 | Scheme of Assessment | 17 | | 4.1 | Aims | 17 | | 4.2 | Assessment Objectives (AOs) | 18 | | 4.3 | National Criteria | 19 | | 4.4 | Prior Learning | 19 | | 4.5 | Synoptic Assessment and Stretch and Challenge | 19 | | 4.6 | Access to Assessment for Disabled Students | 20 | | 5 | Administration | 21 | | 5.1 | Availability of Assessment Units and Certification | 21 | | 5.2 | Entries | 21 | | 5.3 | Private Candidates | 21 | | 5.4 | Access Arrangements and Special Consideration | 22 | | 5.5 | Language of Examinations | 22 | | 5.6 | Qualification Titles | 22 | | 5.7 | Awarding Grades and Reporting Results | 22 | | 5.8 | Re-sits and Shelf-life of Unit Results | 23 | Appendices 24 A Performance Descriptions 24 B Spiritual, Moral, Ethical, Social and other Issues 27 C Overlaps with other Qualifications 28 D Key Skills – Teaching, Developing and Providing Opportunities for 29 Generating Evidence Vertical black lines indicate a significant change or addition to the previous version of this specification. GCE Geography Specification for AS exams 2011 onwards and A2 exams 2011 onwards (version 2.0) 1 Introduction 1 | 1.1 Why choose AQA?
It’s a fact that AQA is the UK’s favourite exam board and more students receive their academic qualifications from AQA than from any other board. But why does AQA continue to be so popular?
Specifications
Ours are designed to the highest standards, so teachers, students and their parents can be confident that an AQA award provides an accurate measure of a student’s achievements. And the assessment structures have been designed to achieve a balance between rigour, reliability and demands on candidates.
Support
AQA runs the most extensive programme of support meetings; free of charge in the first years of a new specification and at a very reasonable cost thereafter. These support meetings explain the specification and suggest practical teaching strategies and approaches that really work. | • Service
We are committed to providing an efficient and effective service and we are at the end of the phone when you need to speak to a person about an important issue. We will always try to resolve issues the first time you contact us but, should that not be possible, we will always come back to you (by telephone, email or letter) and keep working with you to find the solution.
• Ethics
AQA is a registered charity. We have no shareholders to pay. We exist solely for the good of education in the UK. Any surplus income is ploughed back into educational research and our service to you, our customers. We don’t profit from education, you do.
If you are an existing customer then we thank you foryour support. If you are thinking of moving to AQA then we look forward to welcoming you. | | --- | --- | 1.2 Why choose Geography? The new specification has been designed to increase the choice offered to teachers and students studying GCE Geography, allowing for specialisation and progression to higher education and employment. There will be natural progression from GCSE to GCE, ensuring that there is development of content. Students will be given the opportunity to develop fieldwork skills and study

FAQs

What does the specification cover for GCE Geography exams?

It covers the AS and A2 Geography specification for exams from 2011 onwards, including subject content, unit structure, skills, assessment objectives, and administrative requirements.

How is progression and topic choice handled in the new specification?

The specification supports progression from GCSE to GCE and allows teachers to choose topics within Units 1 and 3, aiming to reduce assessment burden while introducing contemporary content.

What assessment routes are available for A Level Geography?

Two pathways are available: assessment via the Geography Fieldwork Investigation paper (Unit 4A) or via the Issue Evaluation paper (Unit 4B), including a fieldwork investigation of choice and fieldwork skills.

Sep 5, 2026

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