GCSE Geography
Geography asks learners to read and judge sources for bias, plan and evaluate a fieldwork enquiry, and write extended answers that reach a justified decision, all using precise geographical terms. Its numeracy is broad and applied: map scale, grid references and contours, sampling, averages and spread, percentage change, and drawing and interpreting graphs, all set out in Appendix B and used in every unit. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is the habit of turning real local data into a correct graph and then a written conclusion that quotes the figures.
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- High
- Specification
- Open the WJEC specification (PDF)
How this GCSE is assessed
- Unit 1: Our Physical and Human World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 2: Developing Fieldwork Skills: Non-examination assessment 7 hours (not including the fieldwork), 25%, set and marked by WJEC
- Unit 3: Our Dynamic and Diverse World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 4: Sustainable Solutions: Non-examination assessment 6 hours (3 hours research, 3 hours tasks), 15%, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Collecting data
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Designing data collection and sampling
Learners design primary data collection sheets, choose and justify sites, sample size and a sampling method (opportunistic, random, stratified or systematic), and use equipment to get accurate, reliable readings.
Numeracy: Collecting data, Measurement, Strategic competence
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils design a tally sheet and count pedestrians at three points around the school at the same time for ten minutes.
- Year 8
- Pupils design an environmental quality scoring sheet and use systematic sampling every 50 metres along a street in Aberdare town centre.
- Year 9
- Pupils design a questionnaire to test a hypothesis about how far pupils travel to school, then compare random and stratified samples from the year group and justify their sample size.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, Sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.2, page 20; Appendix B, 1.2, page 45
“design primary data collection sheets”
Progression step 3
I can collect relevant data to answer posed questions.
I can read and interpret scales or divisions on a range of measuring instruments.
Progression step 4
I can collect own data for a survey, e.g. through designing a questionnaire.
I can plan how to collect data to test a simple hypotheses.
I can collect both quantitative and qualitative data.
Progression step 5
I can collect data in a suitable way according to my hypothesis.
I can identify what further information might be required and select what information is most appropriate.
Good to know
- No marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar are mentioned anywhere in the specification. All marks sit under AO1 to AO4 (Section 3.1, page 36), and AO3 "Analyse, evaluate, or make judgements from a variety of sources" is worth 25% overall.
- Calculator use is not stated in the specification. Section 3 says "The Assessment Pack will include all detailed information relating to assessment" (page 36), so check the Assessment Pack for Unit 1 and Unit 3.
- Both NEA units "must be submitted digitally (they may be handwritten and scanned, or completed digitally)" (Section 3.2, pages 37 and 38), so extended writing may be handwritten.
- Unit 4 research notes are limited to "a maximum of two sides of A4 notes to be used during the assessment" (page 37).
- Unit 2 is 7 hours for 90 marks and needs one day of fieldwork "outside the classroom and school grounds" (page 37).
- Each unit says the depth of mathematical and statistical skills "is given in Appendix B on pages 44-45" (pages 10, 18, 24 and 33), but Appendix B is printed on pages 45 and 46.
Links with other GCSEs
Averages, percentage change and scatter graphs overlap with Mathematics and Numeracy, and judging sources for bias overlaps with History.
Source: WJEC GCSE Geography specification, Teaching from 2025, For award from 2027, Version 6, September 2026.