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.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification 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 Relationships within the number system
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Percentages and percentage change
Learners calculate percentages to process fieldwork evidence and calculate percentage increase or decrease, for example in population, from a line graph or table of data.
Numeracy: Calculation, Relationships within the number system, Conceptual understanding
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils find what percentage of the class travel to school on foot, by bus and by car, and check the percentages add up to 100.
- Year 8
- Pupils calculate the percentage change in Aberdare's population between two census years from a table and write one sentence explaining it.
- Year 9
- Pupils use multipliers on a calculator to compare the percentage growth of two global cities from a line graph, and check each answer with a rough estimate.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Appendix B, 2.2, page 45; Unit 2, Section 2.3.1, page 21
“Calculate percentage increase or decrease and understand the use of percentiles.”
Progression step 3
I can calculate a percentage, fraction and decimal of any quantity with a calculator where appropriate.
I can use equivalence of fractions, decimals and percentages to compare proportions.
Progression step 4
I can calculate a percentage increase or decrease.
I can express one quantity as a percentage of another.
Progression step 5
I can use multipliers as an efficient method when working with percentages, e.g. multiply by 1.2 to increase an amount by 20%.
I can interpret answers within the context of the problem and consider whether answers, including calculator, analogue and digital displays, are sensible.
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 qualifications
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.