AQA A Level Geography specification (7037)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Geography exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level Geography specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level Geography (7037) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The AQA A-level Geography specification is designed to foster an understanding of the physical and human processes that shape our world. It promotes enquiry, analysis and evaluation through the study of contemporary geographical issues, encouraging students to consider their role as global citizens. The course supports skills in fieldwork, data interpretation and critical thinking, providing strong preparation for further study or careers in urban planning, environmental management, development, and geopolitics.Subject content breakdown
Physical Geography
- Water and carbon cycles
- Coastal systems and landscapes or hot desert systems
- Glacial systems and landscapes (optional)
- Hazards (optional)
- Ecosystems under stress (optional)
Human Geography
- Global systems and global governance
- Changing places
- Contemporary urban environments (optional)
- Population and the environment (optional)
- Resource security (optional)
Geographical Skills
- Use of qualitative and quantitative methods
- Interpretation of maps, graphs, statistics and field data
Geographical Investigation
- Independent fieldwork investigation
- Student-defined question with data collection and analysis
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Physical Geography
- Covers water and carbon cycles, plus two optional physical topics
- 2 hours 30 minutes written exam
- 120 marks, 40% of A-level
Paper 2: Human Geography
- Covers global systems and governance, changing places, plus two optional human topics
- 2 hours 30 minutes written exam
- 120 marks, 40% of A-level
Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
- Independent geographical investigation
- 3,000–4,000 word report based on fieldwork
- 60 marks, 20% of A-level
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Geography isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article