WJEC GCSE Geography Specification A

1. WJEC GCSE Geography Specification A INSET 2010 Principal Examiners’ Feedback

2. General Points • 2010 first examination of new specification • A unique cohort – year 10 • No allowance made in assessment for ‘maturity factor’ • Marks/grades awarded at ‘accepted’ GCSE standard in line with assessment objectives stated in Specification • The UMS, a new idea for many teachers

3. What is a UMS?

4. Raw Marks 2010

5. Statistics - combined

6. Statistics - Foundation

7. Statistics - Higher

8. Entry Policy • A marked change in centre entry policy between H and F tiers • Significant change in candidature at both tiers which has impacted on performance • 65:35 (Approx 50:50 on Legacy) • Borderline candidates entering at H • Resultant reduction in overall standard at F tier • Freedom to ‘mix and match’ with Unit 2

9. The Examination Paper • 6 questions in 1 hour 45 mins • 15 marks per question • Change in balance of assessment objectives • 15% Knowledge and Understanding • 10% Application • 15% Skills

10. The Examination Paper • 1 Water • 2 Climate change • 3 Plate tectonics and hazards • 4 Population • 5 Globalisation • 6 Development

11. Accessibility - Foundation

12. Accessibility - Higher

13. Core Foundation • General quality of answers weaker than in previous years • Globalisation (qu4) a difficult topic at this level. Implications for teaching and examining • Very poor use of case study material and examples when required (qus 3, 4 and 5) • And not required (qu1)! • The implications of levels mark schemes need to be made clearer. Level 3 is only grade C!!

14. Specific Points - Foundation • Qu 1 Photograph interpretation a skill reflecting change in AOs • Qu 2 Try to develop understanding of the macro implications of people changing behaviour to reduce impact of climate change • Qu 3 Good understanding of plate tectonics and hazards. Theme lends itself to use of case studies, generally very poor in part c

15. Specific Points - Foundation • Qu 4 Weak understanding of population pyramids (skills again!) • Weak understanding of concept of birth and death rates • Qu 5 Need to read question carefully, ‘explain one impact’ for 3 marks means just that! • Qu 5 Quantification when describing graphs

16. Core Higher • An effective test of knowledge, understanding and skills • Question 4 and 5 more testing • A significant number of low scoring scripts • Lack of impressive answers to levels questions

17. Question 1 • Secure knowledge of processes • Lack of specific map skills • A need to address both command words

18. Question 2 • Greater understanding of the greenhouse effect • Develop points turning 1 mark into 2 • Cartoon was misleading

19. Question 3 • Need to understand basic terminology • Annotation rather than labelling • Use of specific examples and case studies

20. Question 4 • Skills are well developed • Most questions are marked with a points marking scheme • Need to use outline maps where provided

21. Question 5 • Encourage candidates to use statistics to quantify descriptions • Understanding of globalisation weak in many centres • A need for candidates to use resources when provided – easy marks are being thrown away

22. Question 6 • Answers need to be precise • Points should be developed to maximise marks • Most candidates need to have a greater knowledge of Millenium Development Goals

23. Conclusion – Successful Candidates: • Have a good knowledge of basic geographical terms and concepts. • Read questions and instructions carefully. • Understand the meaning of command words. • Answer in detail, guided by the marks for that question. • Develop points to give a full description or explanation • Address all parts of a question. • Make good use of real examples and case studies. • Study resources and use them effectively.