AS and A Level Geography: What is the structure of the synoptic questions in the exam?

AS Level – The synoptic questions involve the explicit drawing together of knowledge, skills and understanding within different parts of the AS Level course. These questions are included within Section B of Component 02, Geographical Debates. Each of the 5 Geographical Debate topics have two 8 mark synoptic questions in the exam. The students need to complete the synoptic questions for the topic they have been taught. The part (a) question includes an interaction with a resource  and for part (b) the command term and the mark scheme indicate that these questions require analysis and for students to draw the links between the topics indicated in the question.

A Level - These questions are included within Section B of Component 03, Geographical Debates. Each of the 5 Geographical Debate topics have one 12 mark question in the exam. The students need to complete the synoptic questions for the two topics they have been taught. Within these questions students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the topics as well as drawing together the links between the topics in the question through analysis.