There is no coursework component needed to complete AQA AS Geography (7036) , AQA A-Level Geography (7037) or Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography (9696). That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. However, there is a compulsory fieldwork assessment needed for Pearson Edexcel AS Geography (XGE01) and Pearson Edexcel A Level Geography (YGE01); this requirement may prove difficult for private candidates or external candidates to achieve. It is possible to complete
Make sure to choose carefully!
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge AS and A Level Geography so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge AS and A Level Geography (9696). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing AS and A Level Geography offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Make sure to choose carefully!
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge AS and A Level Geography so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge AS and A Level Geography (9696). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing AS and A Level Geography offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the AS and A Level Geography courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel
Here are the links for the AS and A Level Geography courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel
AQA AS and A-Level Geography (7036, 7037)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7036
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037
Cambridge AS and A Level Geography (9699)
www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-geography-9696/
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Geography (XGE01, YGE01)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/geography-2016.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7036
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037
Cambridge AS and A Level Geography (9699)
www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-geography-9696/
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Geography (XGE01, YGE01)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/geography-2016.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong AS and A Level knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
There are endorsed textbooks that are closely aligned to exam board courses and these will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each exam board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for AS and A Level Geography:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for AS and A Level Geography:
AQA AS and A-Level Geography (7036, 7037)
- Whittaker, I. (2016) AQA A-Level Geography. ISBN: 9781471858697 [Endorsed]
- Bowen, A. et al. (2016) A/AS Level Geography for AQA: Student Book. ISBN: 9781316606322 [Endorsed]
- Ross, S. et al. (2016) AQA Geography A Level and AS: Human Geography. ISBN: 9780198366546 [Endorsed]
- Ross, S. et al. (2016) AQA Geography A Level and AS: Physical Geography. ISBN: 97801983665 [Endorsed]
Cambridge AS and A Level Geography (9696)
- Lenon, B. et al. (2015) Cambridge AS and A Level Geography. ISBN: 9780008124229 [Endorsed]
- Kitchen, R. (2016) Cambridge AS and A Level Geography: Teacher's Resource. ISBN: 9780008166892 [Endorsed]
- Nagle, G., & Woodburn, R. (2018) Cambridge International A and AS Level Geography: Revision Guide, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510418387
- Nagle, G. & Guinness, P. (2016) Cambridge International AS & A Level Geography, 2nd Edition. ISBN 9781471868566 [Endorsed]
- Wiegand, P. (2012) Oxford International Students Atlas. ISBN: 9780199137572
- Small, J., Ross, S. & Witherick, M. (2001) A Modern Dictionary of Geography, 4th Ed. (Student Reference) ISBN: 9780340762103
- Nagle, G. & Spencer, K. (2001) AS and A Level Geography Through Diagrams (Oxford Revision Guides). ISBN: 9780199134328
- Pumpkin Interactive Geography series, available at
Pearson Edexcel International AS and Advanced Level Geography (XGE01, YGE01)
I had some difficulty navigating the Pearson Edexcel website for endorsed textbooks, but I put this down to operator error. When I looked on www.amazon.com I was able to find some useful resources. Please note that I have not taught this specification, but if I did, I would use the endorsed textbooks and the specification as my scaffold. I would also use online resources to complement learning.
- Dunn. C. (2016) Edexcel A-Level Geography: Book 1. ISBN: 9781471856549 [Endorsed]
- Dunn, C. et al (2017) Edexcel A-Level Geography: Book 2. ISBN: 9781471856532 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for AS and A Level Geography
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring AS and A Level Geography. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
http://www.geographyalltheway.com/
A website designed by Richard Allaway, a teacher with years of experience teaching IGCSE/GCSE, AS/A2/IB Geography, it has some free resources as well as a subscription site. The site uses photos, maps, diagrams and Youtube links.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/geography
The s-cool site has some really useful topics on geography. This is a revision site, so it is worth a visit.
http://geography.about.com/
A quick reference site to use by a dedicated Geography buff, Matt Rosenberg.
http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/
This is a relevant site for teachers and students, with some free resources and a reasonably priced subscription service.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/
Although geared towards GCSE Geography, this site is still very helpful as a revision tool for AS Level students.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/secondary/geography/
Although no longer updated, this BBC website has information on several topics including rivers and global population. There are also case studies.
http://www.geography.org.uk/
This site is well worth a visit, as it has plenty of information, links to other good sites and continually updated material.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=12&AgeGroup=6
Lots of links here for the Geography student or teacher. A site worth bookmarking.
http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/
A site dedicated to poverty and fair trade issues, including details of current campaigns.
https://global.oup.com/education/product/9780198309215/?region=international
This is a subscription site, full of case studies on all aspects of geography. There are a few free samples for students.
blog.nationalgeographic.org/category/education/
National Geographic is just brilliant, and this website is full of relevant and current geography issues. Check it out.
http://www.gapminder.org/
The site strives to present information for a fact-based view. I particularly like the video on ‘200 years that changed the world’. There is plenty here for teachers to use as resources and keep the attention of the students.
http://www.physicalgeography.net/
This US-based site is informative and easy to navigate. There is far more information here than is needed for the A Level Geography course, so it is best to be reviewed by teachers first before sending students to the site. Alternatively, this becomes a helpful resource for teachers.
http://www.course-notes.org/Human_Geography/Outlines/Human_Geography_Culture_Society_and_Space_8th_Edition_Textbook
Another US-based site, full of detailed notes on AP Human Geography. This can be a resource for teaching planning lessons, or for students looking for extra material around one of the topics.
http://milliethegeographer.blogspot.com/
This is the site of ‘What I learned in Geography this week’ and has lots of current information as well as study notes on various topics. Look at the Labels section on the site, as there are plenty of topics. Teachers can use this as a reference, resource or to guide students to particular topics.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
A website designed by Richard Allaway, a teacher with years of experience teaching IGCSE/GCSE, AS/A2/IB Geography, it has some free resources as well as a subscription site. The site uses photos, maps, diagrams and Youtube links.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/geography
The s-cool site has some really useful topics on geography. This is a revision site, so it is worth a visit.
http://geography.about.com/
A quick reference site to use by a dedicated Geography buff, Matt Rosenberg.
http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/
This is a relevant site for teachers and students, with some free resources and a reasonably priced subscription service.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/
Although geared towards GCSE Geography, this site is still very helpful as a revision tool for AS Level students.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/secondary/geography/
Although no longer updated, this BBC website has information on several topics including rivers and global population. There are also case studies.
http://www.geography.org.uk/
This site is well worth a visit, as it has plenty of information, links to other good sites and continually updated material.
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=12&AgeGroup=6
Lots of links here for the Geography student or teacher. A site worth bookmarking.
http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/
A site dedicated to poverty and fair trade issues, including details of current campaigns.
https://global.oup.com/education/product/9780198309215/?region=international
This is a subscription site, full of case studies on all aspects of geography. There are a few free samples for students.
blog.nationalgeographic.org/category/education/
National Geographic is just brilliant, and this website is full of relevant and current geography issues. Check it out.
http://www.gapminder.org/
The site strives to present information for a fact-based view. I particularly like the video on ‘200 years that changed the world’. There is plenty here for teachers to use as resources and keep the attention of the students.
http://www.physicalgeography.net/
This US-based site is informative and easy to navigate. There is far more information here than is needed for the A Level Geography course, so it is best to be reviewed by teachers first before sending students to the site. Alternatively, this becomes a helpful resource for teachers.
http://www.course-notes.org/Human_Geography/Outlines/Human_Geography_Culture_Society_and_Space_8th_Edition_Textbook
Another US-based site, full of detailed notes on AP Human Geography. This can be a resource for teaching planning lessons, or for students looking for extra material around one of the topics.
http://milliethegeographer.blogspot.com/
This is the site of ‘What I learned in Geography this week’ and has lots of current information as well as study notes on various topics. Look at the Labels section on the site, as there are plenty of topics. Teachers can use this as a reference, resource or to guide students to particular topics.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.