The grade that is eventually awarded to you will depend upon the extent to which you have met the assessment objectives of the exam board you are studying with. Clearly, to gain the best possible mark you will have worked hard over the year. You will be highly determined and motivated. If you have identified weaknesses in your knowledge and understanding you will balance this by improving and building on your performance in other areas of the subject.

For a grade A
You will be a student who can:

• show a comprehensive knowledge of places, themes and environments
• understand how physical and human processes affect the above three areas
• show sound understanding of concepts, theories and principles
• understand a wide range of Geographical terminology
• understand how all of the above connect and be able to convey your understanding at a variety of scales.

For a grade C
You will be the student that produces sound, rather than competent answers. You may have some weakness in your understanding and knowledge and may be unsure of some terminology. You may synthesise and communicate your ideas and views less effectively than the A grade candidate.

• To improve you need to master and improve upon all of your weaknesses.
• You must prepare fully. Practice past questions.
• Hopefully, you will read around the subject a little more and keep up with current affairs.

For a grade E
You cannot afford to miss any marks! Even if you find the subject matter difficult to comprehend and would be content with an E, there are ways you can improve your prospects.

• Start by memorising the terminology of the subject.
• You must practice past questions. Being able to answer such questions even if it isn’t in exam conditions is a great confidence-booster. On difficult questions try and answer the easier parts first, come back to the tougher parts later.
• It is likely that the areas of the subject that interest you the least are the areas where you experience the most difficulties, whether it be on a structured or essay paper. Such questions can be attempted and you will gain marks even if you only get part of the way through.

If you are working towards an A grade you need to keep at it and retain both your motivation and persistence. If you are not so fortunate, rest assured you will improve. Reading this text thoroughly, including the preliminary pages and the chapters themselves, and by completing the practice questions, will start this improvement process!

What marks do you need?
The table below shows how your average mark is translated.
average

80% - A

70% - B

60% - C

50% - D

40% - E