GCSE Geography 2024 - Mark Scheme - Unit 1 - Understanding Our Natural World

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Jake

GCSE Geography 2024 Unit 1 mark scheme outlines how examiners should assess candidates consistently and fairly. It sets out assessment objectives AO1 to AO3 covering geographical knowledge, application to analyse and evaluate information, and investigation and communication skills. The document explains marking principles including flexibility, positive marking, awarding zero marks only for invalid responses, the own figure rule for calculations, and methods for levels of response. It also details thresholds for performance and quality of written communication across three levels. It then begins Theme A: River Environments with guidance for questions requiring matching geographical terms to definitions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

General Marking Instructions

Introduction

Assessment objectives

Quality of candidates’ responses

Flexibility in marking

Positive marking

Awarding zero marks

Marking calculations

Types of mark schemes

Levels of response

Quality of written communication

Theme A: River Environments

Question 1(a) - Matching geographical terms to definitions

General Certificate of Secondary Education 2024 Geography Unit 1 Understanding Our Natural World [GGY11] FRIDAY 17 MAY, AFTERNOON MARK SCHEME General Marking Instructions Introduction Mark schemes are intended to ensure that the GCSE examinations are marked consistently and fairly. The mark schemes provide markers with an indication of the nature and range of candidates’ responses likely to be worthy of credit. They also set out the criteria which they should apply in allocating marks to candidates’ responses. Assessment objectives Below are the assessment objectives for GCSE Geography. Candidates must show they are able to: AO1 Demonstrate geographical knowledge and understanding of: • Places, environments, processes and concepts; and • The inter-relationships between places, environments and processes; AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding to analyse, interpret and evaluate geographical information and issues and to make judgements; and AO3 Select, adapt and use a variety of skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues and communicate findings. Quality of candidates’responses In marking the examination papers, examiners should be looking for a quality of response reﬂecting the level of maturity which may reasonably be expected of a 16-year-old which is the age at which the majority of candidates sit their GCSE examinations. Flexibility in marking Mark schemes are not intended to be totally prescriptive. No mark scheme can cover all the responses which candidates may produce. In the event of unanticipated answers, examiners are expected to use their professional judgement to assess the validity of answers. If the answer is particularly problematic, then examiners should seek the guidance of the Supervising Examiner. Positive marking Examiners are encouraged to be positive in their marking, giving appropriate credit for what candidates know, understand and can do rather than penalising candidates for errors or omissions. Examiners should make use of the whole of the available mark range of any particular question and be prepared to award full marks for a response which is as good as might reasonably be expected of a 16-year-old GCSE candidate. Awarding zero marks Marks should only be awarded for valid responses and no marks should be awarded for an answer which is completely incorrect or inappropriate. Marking calculations In marking answers involving calculations, examiners should apply the ‘own ﬁgure rule’ so that candidates are not penalised more than once for a computational error. Types of mark schemes Mark schemes for tasks or questions which require candidates to respond in extended written form are marked on the basis of levels of response which take account of the quality of written communication. Other questions which require only short answers are marked on a point for point basis with marks awarded for each valid piece of information provided. Levels of response Tasks and questions requiring candidates to respond in extended writing are marked in terms of levels of response. In deciding which level of response to award, examiners should look for the ‘best ﬁt’bearing in mind that weakness in one area may be compensated for by strength in another. In deciding which mark within a particular level to award to any response, examiners are expected to use their professional judgement. The following guidance is provided to assist examiners. Threshold performance: Response which just merits inclusion in the level and should be awarded a mark at or near the bottom of the range. Intermediate performance: Response which clearly merits inclusion in the level and should be awarded a mark at or near the middle of the range. High performance: Response which fully satisﬁes the level description and should be awarded a mark at or near the top of the range. Quality of written communication Quality of written communication is taken into account

FAQs

What do AO1, AO2, and AO3 require in GCSE Geography marking?

AO1 requires geographical knowledge and understanding of places, environments, processes and concepts, and their inter-relationships. AO2 requires applying knowledge to analyse, interpret and evaluate geographical information and issues and make judgements. AO3 requires selecting, adapting and using skills and techniques to investigate questions and communicate findings.

How do examiners handle unexpected or unanticipated answers in the mark scheme?

Mark schemes are not totally prescriptive, so examiners use professional judgement to assess the validity of answers. If an answer is particularly problematic, examiners should seek guidance from the Supervising Examiner.

How is written communication assessed for extended response questions?

Extended written tasks are marked using levels of response that account for the quality of written communication. Quality is distinguished by spelling, punctuation, grammar accuracy, clarity of meaning, organisation and fluency, and the appropriate, skilled use of a wide range of specialist terms.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Jake