AQA GCSE Geography specification (8035)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE 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.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA GCSE 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 GCSE Geography (8035) 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 GCSE Geography specification provides a broad, balanced understanding of both physical and human geography. It encourages students to explore the interconnections between people and the environment across different scales. Learners investigate issues such as climate change, poverty, economic development, sustainability and resource use through UK-based and international case studies. The course builds knowledge of geographical processes, enhances decision-making skills, and prepares learners to engage with real-world geographical challenges and fieldwork, supporting progression to further study or careers.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 Living with the physical environment
3.1.1 The challenge of natural hazards
- Types of natural hazard, hazard risk factors
- Plate tectonics, responses to earthquakes/volcanoes
- Tropical storms: formation, impacts, mitigation
- UK weather hazards and extreme weather events
- Causes, effects, mitigation/adaptation of climate change
3.1.2 The living world
- Ecosystem structure, UK example, global biome overview
- Tropical rainforests: characteristics, deforestation, management
- One option: Hot deserts or Cold environments – characteristics, development opportunities and threats, sustainable management
3.1.3 Physical landscapes in the UK
- Overview of UK uplands/lowlands and river systems
- Study two: Coastal, River or Glacial landscapes
- Processes shaping landforms, case studies, management schemes
3.2 Challenges in the human environment
3.2.1 Urban issues and challenges
- Urbanisation trends, megacities
- Case study: LIC/NEE city – growth, challenges, planning
- Case study: UK city – migration, regeneration, sustainability
3.2.2 The changing economic world
- Development indicators, causes of uneven development
- Strategies to reduce the gap (e.g. aid, fairtrade, tourism)
- LIC/NEE case study: economic growth, aid, TNCs
- UK economy: post-industrial shift, transport, regional strategies, global links
3.2.3 The challenge of resource management
- Global/UK resource overview (food, water, energy)
- Study one: Food, Water or Energy – global demand, insecurity, strategies, sustainability
3.3 Geographical applications
3.3.1 Issue evaluation
- Synoptic problem-solving assessment based on pre-release booklet
3.3.2 Fieldwork
- Two contrasting enquiries (one physical, one human)
- Knowledge of enquiry process: question, methods, data, presentation, conclusions, evaluation
3.4 Geographical skills
- Cartographic: OS maps, gradients, coordinates, photos
- Graphical: pie charts, bar graphs, isolines, population pyramids
- Numerical: scale, proportion, ratios, units
- Statistical: measures of central tendency, dispersion, trends
- Use of data: maps, fieldwork, GIS, secondary sources
- Enquiry and argument: formulate questions, structure extended responses
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment
- 1 hr 30 mins written exam
- 35% of GCSE (88 marks including SPaG)
- Assesses natural hazards, ecosystems, physical landscapes, and skills
- Mixture of short answers, levels of response, extended prose
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment
- 1 hr 30 mins written exam
- 35% of GCSE (88 marks including SPaG)
- Assesses urban issues, economic world, resource management, and skills
Paper 3: Geographical applications
- 1 hr 15 mins written exam
- 30% of GCSE (76 marks including SPaG)
- Includes a pre-release resource booklet (12 weeks in advance)
- Assesses issue evaluation and fieldwork
Assessment objectives
- AO1 (Knowledge): 15%
- AO2 (Understanding): 25%
- AO3 (Interpret, analyse, evaluate): 35% (includes fieldwork)
- AO4 (Skills): 25% (includes fieldwork)
Exam format
- All exams taken at end of the course (linear assessment)
- Pre-release materials for Paper 3 provided ahead of time
- SPaG assessed in all papers (up to 6 marks total)
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE 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.
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