How to Get a 9 in GCSE Geography

Do you want to be one of the 5% of students who achieves a grade 9 in GCSE Geography? Whether you’re just starting Year 10 or deep into your revision, aiming high is a great goal—and with the right approach, it’s absolutely possible.

As a teacher with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen hundreds of students develop their skills and confidence in Geography. I know what separates grade 9 students from the rest—and this article will show you how to get there.

In this guide, I’ll share practical tips on how to get a 9 in GCSE Geography, the most common mistakes to avoid, and how to use feedback and revision resources effectively to improve your exam performance.

Tactic 1: Build Deep Case Study Knowledge

Grade 9 students don’t just learn the case studies—they master them. You’ll need to go beyond just knowing a few facts and be ready to use specific details that apply directly to the exam question.

For example, if your case study is on flooding management in York, you shouldn’t just write “the city has flood defences which reduce the impact of flooding.” You should be able to say:

• “The Foss Barrier has been upgraded at a cost of £38 million to prevent water from the River Ouse backing up into the River Foss.”

• “Embankments on Leeman Road increase the capacity of the river, protecting the houses along the road from flooding.”

• “Clifton Ings has been left as undeveloped land and can store 2.3 million m³ of water.”

In the exam, use named places and precise figures to stand out. Examiners reward accurate, specific case study material—especially when you link it to causes, impacts, and responses.

Tip: Create flashcards or mind maps for each case study and make sure you know at least 3 causes, 3 impacts, and 3 responses for each.

Tactic 2: Know Exactly What Each Question Is Asking

One of the biggest mistakes students make is writing everything they know, even if it doesn’t answer the question. Students who get a 9 are experts at identifying command words like:

• “Explain” – give reasons with linking words like “because” or “this leads to.”

• “Evaluate” – weigh up pros and cons and give a justified conclusion.

• “To what extent…” – make a judgement and support it with balanced evidence.

Each question type has its own structure. A grade 9 student practises planning answers for 4-, 6-, 8 or 9-mark questions, and knows how long to spend on each one.

Tip: For every command word, have a mini checklist of what the examiner expects. Practise writing to that structure regularly. The exam boards all have lists of command words that you can use for this.

Tactic 3: Practise Data and Map Skills Regularly

Many students neglect Paper 3, which tests map skills, graphs, photographs, and data interpretation. However, students aiming for a grade 9 know that these skills can add easy marks.

Be confident with:

• OS maps (grid references, scale, direction)

• Different graph and diagram types

• Satellite images

Grade 9 students don’t just describe data—they interpret it. Instead of saying “the population increases,” say: “Between 2000 and 2020, the population of Lagos increased by 10 million, largely due to rural-urban migration.”

Tip: Use past paper questions to practise every type of graph or map you might encounter. You can also find guides to geographical skills for Edexcel, AQA and OCR in the Save My Exams revision notes.

Tactic 4: Plan Extended Answers and Evaluate Clearly

To score top marks on the 9-mark evaluation questions, you need to go beyond listing points. Grade 9 students:

• Include a clear introduction that outlines their argument

• Use PEEL paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link)

• Offer balance, by giving strengths and weaknesses

• Finish with a well-justified conclusion

Planning before writing helps ensure your ideas are clear and well developed. 

Tip: Spend 2 minutes planning before writing an 8 or 9-mark answer. Even if it is just 3 bullet points to remind yourself what should be covered in each paragraph. Know your conclusion before you start writing.

Tactic 5: Use Past Paper Practice to Get Exam-Ready

It might sound obvious, but the best way to prepare for the real thing is to practise with the real thing. Grade 9 students use past papers to:

• Familiarise themselves with exam layout and question types

• Practise timing (e.g. ~1 mark = 1 minute)

• Get comfortable applying knowledge under pressure

But it’s not just about quantity—grade 9 students also use mark schemes and examiner reports to understand exactly what examiners want.

Tip: After completing a past paper, self-mark using the examiner mark scheme or our Save My Exams student friendly model answers. Compare your answer to the example. Make notes on what you’d improve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Just Memorising Notes Without Applying Them

You might have a beautiful set of colour-coded notes—but if you can’t apply that information to exam questions, you won’t get a grade 9. Make sure your revision includes changing the information into another format such as flashcards or concept maps as well as exam-style practice. These techniques will ensure that you are able to apply your knowledge and understanding to any question.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Graphs, Photos or Fieldwork Questions

Every paper will include questions based on visual or fieldwork data. Many students panic or skip these questions—but these are often high-scoring opportunities for students who’ve practised. Use the geographical skills and fieldwork sections in the Save My Exams revision notes to help you master these questions.

Mistake 3: Waffling or Repeating Yourself in Long Answers

High-level answers are structured, precise, and to the point. Avoid repeating the same idea or using vague phrases like “this is bad.” Instead, explain why something is bad, and use geographical terminology.

Mistake 4:Leaving questions blank

One of the biggest mistakes I see—even from strong students—is leaving a question blank. Whether it’s a tricky map question or a 9-marker that feels overwhelming, skipping it guarantees zero marks. But even a partial answer can earn you a few points, a grade 9 requires you to gain about 80% in the exam so every mark makes a difference. It may even be the difference between gaining a grade 8 or a grade 9.

Grade 9 students understand that having a go is better than leaving it empty. If you’re stuck, write something relevant. Show the examiner you understand even part of the topic. Use geographical keywords, refer to the question, and structure your answer as best you can. A blank page helps no one—but a brave attempt might just get you the marks you need.

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Explore Our GCSE Geography Revision Resources

References

OCR result statistics 
AQA result statistics
Edexcel result statistics
OCR examiner reports
AQA examiner reports
Edexcel examiner reports