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Key Facts: A-Level Geography Exam

A*-E

Grading scale

Ofqual

May-June

Exam series

AQA, Edexcel, OCR timetable

3 boards

Specifications available

AQA, Edexcel, OCR

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

AQA, Edexcel, OCR A-Level Geography is assessed through linear end-of-course exam papers (Year 13). Coverage spans water and carbon cycles, hot desert systems, coastal systems, and grading uses the A*-E scale on 2026 specifications.

Sample A-Level Geography Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the A-Level Geography exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Within a drainage basin, which process describes water entering the soil from the surface?
A.Infiltration
B.Percolation
C.Interception
D.Throughflow
Explanation: Infiltration is the movement of water from the surface into the soil. Percolation is the deeper movement from soil into bedrock or groundwater, while interception is storage on vegetation and throughflow is lateral movement through soil.
2Which equation correctly defines the drainage basin water balance?
A.P = Q + E +/- changes in storage
B.P = Q - E + groundwater
C.Q = P x E / storage
D.E = P + Q - storage
Explanation: The water balance is P (precipitation) = Q (channel discharge / runoff) + E (evapotranspiration) +/- changes in storage. This is a core AQA specification equation used to analyse short- and long-term inputs and outputs in a basin.
3Which of the following is the largest store of carbon on Earth?
A.Sedimentary rocks (lithosphere)
B.Oceans
C.Atmosphere
D.Terrestrial biosphere
Explanation: Sedimentary rocks such as limestone hold roughly 100,000,000 GtC, dwarfing the oceans (~38,000 GtC), the terrestrial biosphere (~2,000 GtC) and the atmosphere (~870 GtC). The lithospheric store turns over very slowly through tectonic processes.
4Evapotranspiration combines which two processes?
A.Evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plants
B.Evaporation and condensation
C.Sublimation and evaporation
D.Transpiration and infiltration
Explanation: Evapotranspiration is the combined loss of water to the atmosphere from open water and soil evaporation plus transpiration through plant stomata. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) assumes unlimited water supply.
5Which carbon flux describes the conversion of CO2 into biomass by plants?
A.Photosynthesis
B.Respiration
C.Decomposition
D.Combustion
Explanation: Photosynthesis fixes atmospheric CO2 into glucose using sunlight, transferring carbon from the atmosphere into the biosphere. Respiration, decomposition and combustion all return carbon to the atmosphere.
6Which feedback describes Arctic sea-ice loss accelerating warming through reduced albedo?
A.Positive feedback (ice-albedo)
B.Negative feedback
C.Steady-state equilibrium
D.Dynamic equilibrium
Explanation: Loss of reflective sea ice exposes darker ocean, which absorbs more solar radiation, warms further and melts more ice. This amplifies the initial warming, the classic positive ice-albedo feedback.
7Which of the following is NOT a recognised carbon sequestration strategy?
A.Releasing iron filings to fertilise phytoplankton in HNLC zones
B.Afforestation and reforestation
C.Sub-seabed CCS injection (e.g. Sleipner, Norway)
D.Burning lignite for baseload electricity
Explanation: Burning lignite emits CO2 rather than capturing it. Ocean iron fertilisation, afforestation and CCS such as the Sleipner project (operational since 1996) are all genuine sequestration approaches studied at A-Level.
8On a flashy storm hydrograph, what term describes the time between peak rainfall and peak discharge?
A.Lag time
B.Base flow
C.Rising limb duration
D.Time of concentration
Explanation: Lag time is the interval from peak precipitation to peak discharge. Urbanised, impermeable basins show short lag times and steep rising limbs because overland flow dominates.
9Which Amazon-relevant process most reduces a tropical rainforest's role as a carbon sink?
A.Deforestation combined with drought-driven dieback
B.Increased mycorrhizal fungi networks
C.Higher photosynthetic rates in the wet season
D.Soil eluviation in podzols
Explanation: Deforestation and drought-related dieback (e.g. the 2005 and 2010 Amazon droughts) released large carbon pulses, with research suggesting parts of the eastern Amazon now act as net sources rather than sinks.
10Which UK river basin is commonly cited in A-Level case studies for managing the water cycle under flood risk after the 2015 Boxing Day floods?
A.River Eden, Cumbria
B.River Thames, Berkshire
C.River Severn estuary only
D.River Stour, Kent
Explanation: The River Eden's basin (Carlisle) was severely affected by Storm Desmond in December 2015, with rainfall totals of 341 mm in 24 hours at Honister Pass and roughly £500 million of damage, making it a standard case study.

About the A-Level Geography Exam

A-Level Geography is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR as part of the UK A-Level qualification framework. The course covers water and carbon cycles, hot desert systems, coastal systems, hazards and is assessed primarily through written exam papers at the end of the two-year course.

Exam sponsor: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

5-7 hours total across multiple papers

Passing Score

Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass (A*-A-B-C-D-E)

Exam / Certification Fees

£75-£130 per subject (school-set entry fee)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Core

Physical Geography

Water and carbon cycles; coastal systems; hazards (tectonic, climate); glacial systems; hot deserts

Core

Human Geography

Global systems and governance; changing places; contemporary urban environments; population; resource security

Core

Fieldwork and Skills

4 days of fieldwork; quantitative and qualitative methods; GIS; statistical analysis

Core

NEA Independent Investigation

A 3000-4000 word fieldwork investigation researching a geographical question

Core

Synoptic Issues

Connections between physical and human systems; interdependence of human and physical processes

Preparing for the A-Level Geography Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass (A*-A-B-C-D-E)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 5-7 hours total across multiple papers
  • Exam / certification fees: £75-£130 per subject (school-set entry fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

A-Level Geography: Suggested Study Strategy

1Use past papers from your specific exam board — questions follow the same style year on year
2Time yourself on full papers to build pacing for the long extended-response questions
3Build a clear understanding of mark schemes — examiners reward specific assessment objectives
4Review examiner reports each summer; common errors repeat

Frequently Asked Questions

What exam boards offer A-Level Geography?

A-Level Geography is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR. All boards follow Ofqual subject content but vary in the choice of set texts, optional topics, and paper structure.

When is the A-Level Geography exam taken?

Exams are written in the May-June series at the end of the two-year linear A-Level course. Most students sit the papers in Year 13.

How is A-Level Geography graded?

A-Levels are graded A*-E. A* is the highest grade and E is the minimum pass. UCAS tariff points are awarded for A-Level grades on most university applications.

How many papers does A-Level Geography have?

Most A-Level subjects have 3 written papers. The exact number, timing, and weighting depend on the chosen exam board. Some subjects also include a non-examined assessment (NEA) coursework component.