Examiners Advice for Section A

What do I have to do?

• 6 questions totalling 65 marks; each question 10-12 marks split into sub- parts ‘a’, ‘b’ etc

• 3 on World at Risk• 3 on Going Global • Maximum mark for a sub-

part 5-6 marks• Quality of written

communication not assessed

• You have around 1 hour to complete Section A.

Question types: Objective Items

• There are a few - possibly totalling 5-6 marks (this has been the case in previous exams)

• Often they will be linked to a resource and will be data based. Read them carefully.

Questions types: Quick-fire 2 or 3-markers • About 15 marks from 2-3

mark questions. • These often focus on:definitions / the meaning

of key terms Listing factors , benefits,

costs etc..Picking key information

from a resource. • The approach should be

to use as few words as possible ; there is no need to spend time on nicely structured writing style.

Question types: Longer

• The majority of the Section A marks will come from questions worth 4-6marks.

• These will be a little more open:

• Write to the mark allocation - 5 marks = 5 points etc.

• Don’t write too much.

• There is evidence from Examiners Reports that some candidates spent too long on some Section A 4-5 mark questions.

Pitfalls 1: Resources

• Remember that Section A uses Stimulus resources –there will be 6 of these (Figures), one for each question.

• They will be a mixture of:

• Maps

• Graphs

• Data tables

• Photographs

• Diagrams / Cartoons

• Figures have a nasty habit of tripping some candidates up, usually because they are rushing and:

• Don’t bother to read the Figure title

• Ignore or mis-read keys, scales and axes labels

• Ignore the resource altogether

Being able to quickly work-out what the information is

showing is critical.

Pitfalls 2: Command Words

• Describe and explain are sometimes confused leading to answers which fail to score marks using the Section A points mark schemes.

• Make sure you don’t drift into explanation when you have been asked to describe:

Pitfalls 3: Key words • Some key words and geographical terminology can cause

problems.

• In this past paper the word ecological caused a few difficulties with many candidates not quite grasping its specific meaning:

Pitfalls 4: Range of reasons • 4 and 5 mark questions require a range of points

• OR several extended points

• This candidate hasn’t quite grasped extended points

• Extended points = 2 marks rather than 1

• adding an example, additional facts, or more detailed explanation.

Summary

• Timing – spend no more than 1 hour on section A

• Examine the resources carefully – look twice, answer once.

• Move through the 1-3 mark questions quickly and efficiently – do not spend long writing

• Spot the command words – especially the difference between describe an explain

• Remember the mark allocation – 4/5 mark questions require answers with a range of points to gain full marks.