WJEC GCSE Geography specification (3110)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC 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.
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 WJEC 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 WJEC GCSE Geography (3110) 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 WJEC specification PDF.
Specification overview
The WJEC GCSE Geography specification develops learners’ ability to think critically and creatively about real-world places, people and environments. It fosters enquiry-led study using key geographical concepts such as interdependence, sustainability and scale. Students explore physical and human geography across Wales, the UK and the wider world. The qualification places fieldwork at its core, encouraging learners to apply knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and become reflective, globally aware citizens. It provides a robust foundation for further study or active engagement with contemporary environmental and development issues.
Subject content breakdown
Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes
- Core Theme 1: Landscapes and Physical Processes
- Study of Welsh landscapes, landform processes and drainage basins
- River and coastal landscape change, erosion and management
- Core Theme 2: Rural-Urban Links
- Urbanisation, counter-urbanisation, population change in the UK and globally
- City case studies from both HIC and LIC/NIC contexts
- Options (choose one)
- 3: Tectonic Landscapes and Hazards: plate boundaries, volcanoes, earthquakes, mitigation
- 4: Coastal Hazards and Management: erosion/flood risk, sea level rise, shoreline strategies
Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues
- Core Theme 5: Weather, Climate and Ecosystems
- Quaternary climate change, weather hazards, global biomes, local ecosystem case study
- Core Theme 6: Development and Resource Issues
- Global development inequality, aid, trade, tourism, water resource use and UK regional inequality
- Options (choose one)
- 7: Social Development Issues: health, education, refugees, challenges in Africa/South Asia
- 8: Environmental Challenges: consumerism, climate change, ecosystem restoration, tourism
Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry
- Two contrasting fieldwork investigations: one focused on methodology, one on conceptual frameworks
- Skills: data collection, analysis, presentation, interpretation, evaluation
- Fieldwork must take place outside classroom/school settings, using WJEC-set enquiry questions
Assessment structure
Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes
- Written exam: 1 hr 30 mins
- 40% of qualification (83 marks)
- Section A: two structured questions on core themes
- Section B: one option question (tectonics or coasts)
- Includes data response and extended writing
Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues
- Written exam: 1 hr 30 mins
- 40% of qualification (83 marks)
- Section A: two structured questions on core themes
- Section B: one option question (social or environmental)
- Includes data response and extended writing
Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry
- NEA: written report (2 hrs 30 mins)
- 20% of qualification (44 marks)
- Based on WJEC-set tasks, marked externally
- Draws from two contrasting environments and enquiry approaches
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Knowledge – 15%
- AO2: Understanding – 25%
- AO3: Interpretation, analysis, judgement – 35%
- AO4: Geographical skills – 25%
- 10% of marks assess fieldwork; 10% assess maths/statistics; 5% for SPaG
Exam availability
- Linear assessment; all exams taken in May/June
- NEA submitted in January before final assessment
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC 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.
Share this article