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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.