AQA GCSE Geography exam papers and weighting (8035)
Guide overview All 20 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each AQA GCSE Geography paper assesses
AQA GCSE Geography (specification 8035) is assessed by three written papers. Paper 1, Living with the physical environment, and Paper 2, Challenges in the human environment, each last 1 hour 30 minutes and carry 35%; Paper 3, Geographical applications, carries 30% and includes an issue evaluation on a pre-release booklet and questions on fieldwork. Geographical skills are examined across all three papers. A student chooses between hot deserts and cold environments, two of the three UK landscapes, and one of food, water and energy.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Living with the physical environment |
Natural Hazards Tectonic Hazards Weather Hazards Climate Change Ecosystems Tropical Rainforests Hot Deserts Cold Environments UK Physical Landscapes Coastal Landscapes in the UK River Landscapes in the UK Glacial Landscapes in the UK Geographical Skills |
1 hour 30 minutes | 88 marks | 35% |
|
Paper 2 Challenges in the human environment |
Urban Issues and Challenges The Changing Economic World Resource Management Food Water Energy Geographical Skills |
1 hour 30 minutes | 88 marks | 35% |
|
Paper 3 Geographical applications |
Geographical Applications: Fieldwork Enquiry Geographical Skills |
1 hour 30 minutes | 76 marks | 30% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | Paper 1 | 26 |
| Coastal Landscapes in the UK | Paper 1 | 71 |
| Cold Environments | Paper 1 | 54 |
| Ecosystems | Paper 1 | 26 |
| Energy | Paper 2 | 64 |
| Food | Paper 2 | 54 |
| Geographical Applications: Fieldwork Enquiry | Paper 3 | 105 |
| Geographical Skills | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 251 |
| Glacial Landscapes in the UK | Paper 1 | 67 |
| Hot Deserts | Paper 1 | 52 |
| Natural Hazards | Paper 1 | 16 |
| Resource Management | Paper 2 | 45 |
| River Landscapes in the UK | Paper 1 | 82 |
| Tectonic Hazards | Paper 1 | 48 |
| The Changing Economic World | Paper 2 | 126 |
| Tropical Rainforests | Paper 1 | 59 |
| UK Physical Landscapes | Paper 1 | 14 |
| Urban Issues and Challenges | Paper 2 | 121 |
| Water | Paper 2 | 59 |
| Weather Hazards | Paper 1 | 89 |
Assessment details from the AQA GCSE Geography 8035, version 1.1, September 2023. AQA specification.
AQA GCSE Geography Active Recall Guide
1,429 questions across every paper on the specification.