How to Achieve an A* in A-Level Geography

A-Level Geography is a dynamic subject that requires both factual knowledge and the ability to interpret, evaluate, and make connections between complex geographical processes. To achieve an A*, students must go beyond content recall and demonstrate critical thinking, up-to-date case study application, and clear, structured argumentation in extended responses.

This guide provides a practical roadmap to help you excel in both physical and human geography, your fieldwork, and the NEA (Non-Exam Assessment).

Understand the Specification and Assessment Objectives

Each exam board structures the qualification around several components, usually split between:

• Physical Geography (e.g. Water and Carbon Cycles, Coasts, Glaciation, Hazards)
• Human Geography (e.g. Globalisation, Changing Places, Population, Urban Environments)
• Fieldwork / NEA (Non-Exam Assessment)

Core Assessment Objectives (AOs):

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of places, environments, processes, and interconnections.
• AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding in different contexts, including decision-making and synoptic evaluation.
• AO3: Interpret, analyse, and evaluate geographical information and issues.
• AO4: Use a variety of geographical skills to investigate questions and communicate findings (especially in NEA).

To achieve an A*, you must consistently meet all four AOs, particularly AO2 and AO3, which require depth, analysis, and synthesis.

Master the Content: Depth and Breadth

It’s not enough to simply know facts or definitions. You must show:

• Detailed understanding of processes (e.g. feedback loops in the water cycle, causes of urban inequality).
• Integrated knowledge of physical and human systems.
• Contemporary examples and up-to-date case studies.

Active Revision Strategies:

• Create a revision timetable on Revision World and stick to your plan.
• Create summary sheets for each topic.
• Develop case study fact files with key data, named places, and multiple perspectives.
• Use mind maps and flow charts to link processes and concepts.
• Test yourself with exam past papers, all the available papers can be found on Revision World.

Aim to know at least two contrasting case studies per major topic so you can compare and adapt depending on the question.

Know Your Case Studies and Use Them Critically

Case studies and examples are essential for high marks. You must apply them analytically, not just describe them.

Case Study Revision Tips:

• Include place-specific detail: names, dates, statistics, and local context.
• Prepare at least one detailed example per topic area.
• Link to wider themes (e.g. sustainability, globalisation, inequality).
• Be prepared to evaluate: what went well, what failed, and why.

For example, don't just say “the Three Gorges Dam provides hydroelectric power”: evaluate its economic benefits against environmental and social costs, with figures and stakeholder views.

Command Words Matter

Understanding exam command words is essential. Many students underperform because they misinterpret the question.

Common Command Words:

• Describe: Give factual detail.
• Explain: Give reasons why something happens.
• Analyse: Break something down and examine how parts relate.
• Evaluate: Weigh up strengths and weaknesses, provide a judgement.
• Assess: Consider both sides, with a conclusion.
• To what extent: Make a balanced argument, then reach a justified decision.

Underline the command word in every question and ensure your answer matches it precisely.

Write Like a Top-Band Student

High-mark answers are:

• Clearly structured (intro, points with evidence, conclusion)
• Analytical, not descriptive
• Focused on the question at all times
• Rich in terminology and theory

Essay Tips:

• Begin with a short introduction that sets out your argument.
• Use PEEL paragraphs: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link.
• Bring in case studies naturally to support your argument.
• Include evaluation throughout, not just in the conclusion.

For longer questions, finish with a strong conclusion that returns to the question and offers a final judgement.

Think Synoptically: Make Connections

Synoptic thinking (AO2) is about linking ideas from across the specification and real-world geography.

Examples:

• How water and carbon cycles interact in rainforest ecosystems.
• How globalisation impacts urban growth in emerging economies.
• How climate change affects hazard patterns or food security.

Always look for relationships between physical and human geography, different scales (local to global), and conflicting stakeholder perspectives.

Use connecting phrases like:

• “This is linked to…”
• “A further implication of this is…”
• “On a global scale, this relates to…”

Use Diagrams, Maps, and Data Effectively

Geographers must interpret and use visual data well and not just written material.

Practice With:

• Climate graphs, choropleth maps, flow diagrams, GIS data
• Sketches and annotated diagrams (e.g. coastal landforms)
• Interpreting photographs or satellite images
• Analysing graphs or statistical tables in the exam

If appropriate, include simple, clearly labelled diagrams in written answers to illustrate your points.

NEA Success: Investigate Independently

Your NEA (worth 20% of your grade) is a chance to explore a topic of personal interest through primary data collection.

To Achieve Top Marks:

• Choose a clear, focused research question.
• Link your investigation explicitly to the specification.
• Collect robust data using multiple methods (e.g. questionnaires, field measurements, interviews).
• Analyse results using both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
• Evaluate methods and sources thoroughly.
• Write analytically and avoid narrative or diary-style reports.

Use the GIS, graphs, and maps required by your board, and ensure your conclusions are evidence-based.

Revise Actively and Organise Your Time

Avoid passive reading. Instead, use active methods like:

• Writing your own quiz questions
• Teaching content to a friend or family member
• Recording spoken summaries of topics and listening back
• Completing timed practice questions with examiner mark schemes
• Using online platforms like Revision World

Time Management:

• Prioritise weaker topics first.
• Alternate between physical and human content.
• Allocate revision sessions for NEA improvement and exam technique.

Advice From A* Students

• “Start case study revision early and update your stats regularly.”
• “Focus on exam technique as much as content as command words are key.”
• “Use every paragraph to analyse, not just describe.”
• “Keep your NEA manageable remember depth is more important than scale.”
• “Link topics together in essays to show synoptic understanding.”