GCSE Geography B: How can I understand the questions and what examiners are looking for?

The exam questions vary according to the command word, the number of marks, assessment objectives and the topic content. Our command word resource defines them and gives examples from exam questions. The Sample Assessment Materials, Practice Papers and all past exam papers show examples of the examination questions, these can be found on Interchange and the Geography qualification webpage, under the assessment tab. If you do not have access to Interchange your Exams Officer can provide a password. The mark schemes outline what examiners are looking for and how the question can be marked. We have assessment resources which can help you understand more about how and where examiners award marks, these include:

• Candidate exemplars with Principal Examiner commentary to support your understanding of how the mark scheme was applied, where candidates have been successful and how they could improve their practice in the exams, these can be found on our qualification page in the assessment section, see the candidate exemplars tab.
• Guides to assessment, these explain the Sample Assessment Materials (questions and mark schemes)  for all three components in GCSE Geography, these can be found on our qualification page in the assessment section, see the sample assessment materials tab.
• Principal Examiner reports,  explain how candidates performed on each question outlining good practice and common mistakes, , these can be found on our qualification page in the assessment section, see the question papers, mark schemes and reports tab.
• Exam feedback is provided following each exam series, these are professional development sessions which run in the autumn term and can be booked here. Exam feedback materials from past events can be found here.

If you need any assessment support please get in touch with our Geography Subject Advisor geography@ocr.org.uk

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