Improve your exam technique

Geographical Investigations

• Unit 2 has four components, but you have to study TWO.

• In a 75 minute exam, answer TWO questions – one for each topic studied.

• This means there is no choice.• The exam tests knowledge and

understanding of concepts as well as geographical fieldwork skills.

• Fieldwork, research and the enquiry process lie at the heart of this exam.

• Ensure the best possible grades by (i) focusing on the question set, (ii) using resources effectively, and (iii) using your fieldwork in a form that works for the exam.

UNIT 2: The Paired Options –you only study one in each pair!

The ‘Physical’ Pair1. Extreme Weather2. Crowded Coasts

The ‘Human’ Pair3. Unequal Spaces4. Rebranding

Quick exam overview

Top Tips for Success.....

Practice parts of questions under timed conditions.

There is no need to fill up all the space on the exam paper.

Writing a short glossary as you go will be invaluable for final revision 

Remember: Quality, not Quantity!

Part A (Resource: 10 marks) ~ 8-

10 mins

Part B (Fieldwork + Research: 15 marks) ~17-

18 mins

Part C (Case study: 10

marks) ~ 8-10 mins

LEAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES FOR

A FINAL READ-THROUGH AND

CHECK

Managing time on each question:

A question of time management

The command words....Comment Present an informed opinion

Compare Identity similarities, supported with evidence

Contrast Identify differences supported with evidence

Describe Give a simple representation in words (say what you see)

Discuss Consider in a more evaluative / debating style

Examine Investigate closely (describe, explain, comment on etc)

Explain Set out causes, reasons and examine processes

Identify Name or otherwise characterise / describe

Illustrate Present clarifying or explaining examples

Outline Briefly set out main characteristics / features

Summarise Make a concise summary of….

State Simple factual response required (can be single word or number)

Suggest Put forward appropriate possibilities

Show Indicate or explain how….

The role of fieldwork and research

When making notes for revision, don’t just list methods.

Add depth – places, examples of equipment, type and number of surveys, details of land use maps, or even sampling.

The best answers refer to real fieldwork in real places

‘Realism’ and location detail are likely to score highly.

Questions might be based on: planning & methods, or presentation & results, or conclusions & evaluation

Credit given for reference to, e.g. GIS new technology + virtual

fieldwork named web references qualitative and ‘unusual’

methods / sources.

EXAMS SKILLS SET• Accurate reference to

examples and real places visited is a way of giving realism

• Fieldwork and research balance in all areas

• Direct use of own work • Awareness of

limitations• Use of methods

terminology , presentation, analysis etc.

Top-Tips for the fieldwork and research Qs

Refining the fieldwork outcomes

Fieldwork process

Assessment / exam focus

(1) Planning and methodology

(2) Presentation and analysis

(3) Conclusion and evaluations

Research in the exam

There are lots of that you can use…but get to together a hot picks list (quote websites or organisations in exam)

List of local sources, e.g. Newspaper, Local Authority, Wildlife Trusts, blogs / forums etc.

Other publications

Example : Rebranding places – a resource checklist

PhotographsAdvertising /

publicityRedevelopm

ent PlansMaps, data

and graphics showing need or results.

Know your presentation techs

Using terminology

Understand the mark schemes

Student’s own work

Fieldwork AND

research

More able candidates would address this part

Watch for urban / rural rubric issues

Help to deconstruct the title

Extract from a part ‘a’ example

Not very sophisticated....but

does at least try and answer the question

‘DESCRIBE’

These data-response part ‘a’ Q’s are worth

20/70 = ~30%

An extract from a part ‘c’

This response is well located, i.e. states Docklands in first sentence. Uses some good terminology and is structured (typical of Level 3).It also is well focused on the Q – i.e. roles (‘HSBC…money to invest’). The level of detail is also good, e.g. ‘private’ vs ‘public’.

Fieldwork Q – Example 1

Examiner comments: Probably mid L4 – A pretty strong answer, mentions real places and fieldwork. Research is good, e.g. census. Idea of before and after comes through which is important in this type of question. More depth of detail probably required for max, e.g. specific secondary sources, no. of questionnaires etc. Also closing comments would have added to the structure, rather than just stopping.

Fieldwork Q – Example 2

Straight down to business!

Common mistakes and pitfalls with Unit 2

Pitfalls and failures

•Time management issues – running short on the second question.•Writing too much to fill the white space which is not relevant or off-topic.•Ignoring the Figure (part a Qs), or using it partially or imprecisely .•‘All I know’ case studies in the wrong places i.e. the 15 mark F & R question.•Pre-prepared F&R which is not adapted to the specific question. •Lack of balance, with in relation to a Figure, F&R or example. •Missing a key word in a question e.g. ‘impacts’ or ‘strategies’.•To much detail on one F or R method, and therefore a lack of range.

In summary: Key points to remember….

You need to very clear about the ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’ structure of the Unit 2 exam paper

Quality not quantity – don’t have to fill all the space for an A grade (some Qs have lots of lines)

You must prepare fieldwork and research notes so they are ‘revision friendly’

Think about the style of answers, and in what depth, for all three sections (‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’)

Think about levels mark schemes, and how to ‘climb the steps’ (L1-L3/L4)