This section is a sprint, not a marathon. It tests core geographical skills and breadth of knowledge.

• Structure: You are given 12 questions. You must attempt 10.

• Scoring: Each question is worth 8 marks (10 x 8 = 80).

• Type of Questions: 

  • 5 - 6 questions will come from Physical Geography 

  • 1 - 2 questions will come from Regional Geography 

  • The remaining questions on the exam will be Geographical Skills (OS maps, Aerial Photographs, Weather and Statistical/Interpretation). 

• Tips: 

  • Practice the short questions as they are worth 20% of the exam. 

  • You may identify common keywords in each exam to focus on. 

  • Practice OS map skills: grid references, distance, area etc. 

  • Practice Aerial photograph skills: locating features, camera angle etc.

This is where the bulk of your grade lies. The structure has evolved slightly in recent years (2023–2025) to offer more flexibility than the old "Core/Elective/Option" model.

The Rule of Four: You must attempt FOUR long questions in total.

• These must come from at least THREE different sections.

• The fourth question can be from any section you choose.

For example, you can choose to do two physical questions, one regional question and one option question → 4 questions from 3 sections

Section 1: Physical Geography (Patterns & Processes)

• Content: Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Rocks, Weathering and Karst Landscapes, Folding and Faulting, Landforms (River, Sea, Glacial) and Human Interaction

• Typical Layout:

  • Part A (20 Marks): 

    • Q1A - Sketch map of an OS map.

    • The other Part As requires analysis of a diagram, image or text and answering questions. You may be asked to explain briefly a keyword/cause/impact relevant to the topic of the question → 2 well developed points are necessary for full marks. 

  • Part B (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

  • Part C (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

Section 2: Regional Geography

• Content: Ireland, Europe, Continental/Sub-Continental regions.

• Typical Layout:

  • Part A (20 Marks): 

    • Q4A - Sketch map a region - either Irish, European or Continental/Sub-Continental

    • The other Part As requires analysis of a diagram, image or text and answering questions. You may be asked to explain briefly a keyword/cause/impact relevant to the topic of the question → 2 well developed points are necessary for full marks. 

  • Part B (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

Part C (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

Section 3: Electives (Economic OR Human)

• Choice: Schools typically specialise in either Economic Geography (Q7–9) or Human Geography (Q10–12).

• Typical Layout:

  • Part A (20 Marks): 

    • Part A in this section often asks you to plot data on a graph. Always label your axes. A graph with perfect data but no axis labels loses 2–4 marks instantly.

    • Other Part As may be a Sketch map of an OS Map or Aerial Photograph

    • Other Part As requires analysis of a diagram, image or text and answering questions. You may be asked to explain briefly a keyword/cause/impact relevant to the topic of the question → 2 well developed points are necessary for full marks. 

  • Part B (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

Part C (30 Marks): Written essay - requires 15 SRPs.

Section 4: Options 

Content: Global Interdependence, Geoecology, Culture & Identity, Ocean and Atmosphere. 

• The Difference: unlike Sections 1–3, this is usually a single 80-mark essay.

• Marking Scheme:

  • Content (60 Marks): 

    • Option 1: You write 3 paragraphs worth 20 marks each (4 marks for identifying your aspect and 8 SRPs)

    • Option 2: You write 4 paragraphs worth 15 marks each (3 marks for identifying aspect and 6 SRPs)

  • Overall Coherence (20 Marks): Marks awarded for the structure, flow, and logical argument of your essay.

Geoecology Stability: As noted in the trend analysis, Geoecology (Q16–18) is the most stable topic here. It invariably asks about Soil Formation, Biomes, or Human Impact on Biomes.

An analysis of the last 9 exam papers, including the deferred sittings, identifies consistent patterns in topic distribution.

1. The "Plate Tectonics" Anchor (High Yield Topic)

Plate Tectonics is the single most pervasive topic in Physical Geography. It appears with extreme regularity across both Short Questions and Section 1 (Long Questions).

• Data Evidence: In 2025, it appeared in Short Q1 and Section 1 Q2. In 2024, it was in Part 2 Q1, Q2, and Q3.

Strategic Note: It is almost impossible to sit a Geography paper without encountering Plate Tectonics. It often pairs with Volcanic Activity or Folding/Faulting.

• Action: Ensure your "Plate Tectonics" revision materials are robust, as this is a "Safe Bet" topic for students.

2. The Predictability of Short Question Skills (The "Bookends")

The Short Questions (Q1–Q12) display a rigid structure regarding Geographical Investigation Skills (GIS).

• Q1 Anchor: Q1 is almost exclusively Ordnance Survey Maps.

• Q8-Q9 Anchor: These slots are dominated by Aerial Photographs and Maps.

• Q10-Q12 Anchor: These slots are consistently used for Weather Maps and Tables/Graphs.

Shift Note: In 2025, Short Q1 was Plate Tectonics, marking a slight deviation from the "Map only" tradition, but Maps appeared immediately in Short Q7. The "Skills" questions remain clustered at the end of the short section.

3. The Geoecology Monopoly (Section 4)

• In Section 4 (Options), Geoecology (Q16, Q17, Q18) is the most stable Section 4 topic.

  • Data Evidence: Every single year (Main and Deferred) from 2020 to 2025 lists Q16, Q17, and Q18 as Geoecology. There is zero deviation here.

  Strategic Note: While other options like "Culture and Identity" or "The Atmosphere" exist, the consistency of Geoecology suggests it is the primary choice for the vast majority of the cohort, and the exam board standardizes it heavily.

Follow this structured approach to cover the syllabus efficiently.

Phase 1: The Foundation (September – December)

Goal: Master the "Guaranteed" Physical questions and the home region.

September: The Earth’s Crust (The "Safe Bet")

• Focus: Plate Tectonics.

  • Data Insight: Appeared in every exam cycle.

  • Topics: Plate Boundaries (Destructive/Constructive), Volcanic Activity, Earthquakes, Folding/Faulting.

  • Skill Drill: Grid References. Stop making the 4-digit error. Practice converting 4-digit to 6-digit references until it is automatic.

October: Landform Processes (Surface Processes)

• Focus: Rivers (Fluvial) OR Glaciation.

  • Strategy: You must know one system perfectly (Formation of 3 landforms). Rivers is statistically safer as it crosses into Human interaction questions often.

  • Topics: Waterfall, Meander, Ox-bow lake (Process of erosion/deposition).

  • Skill Drill: Sketching Landforms. Practice "annotating" (writing explanations on the diagram) rather than just labeling.

November: Regional Geography (Ireland)

• Focus: The Concept of a Region + Ireland.

  • Topics: Compare two contrasting Irish regions (e.g., The BMW Region vs. The Greater Dublin Area). Focus on Primary (Agriculture), Secondary (MNCs), and Tertiary (Tourism) activities.

  • Skill Drill: Drawing Sketch Maps. Practice drawing a 2-minute sketch map of Ireland, dividing it into regions.

December: Regional Geography (Europe)

• Focus: One European Region (e.g., The Paris Basin or The Mezzogiorno).

  • Topics: Climate, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Tourism in that region.

Study Check: Christmas Exams. Review your SRP count. Are you writing 15 distinct points per 30-mark question?

Phase 2: Expansion (January – March)

Goal: Tackle the "Elective" and the broader world.

January: Continental / Sub-Continental Region

• Focus: One Non-European Region (e.g., Brazil or India).

  • Topics: Physical processes, Cultural factors, and Economic development.

  • Data Insight: "Complexities of a Region" (e.g., expansion of the EU or linguistic issues) often appears in Section 2.

February: The Elective (Economic or Human)

• Focus: Choose ONE path based on your school's curriculum.

  • Path A (Economic): MNCs and Globalisation, Energy, Developing Economies. (Data shows MNCs are highly frequent).

  • Path B (Human): Population, Urban Growth (Dublin/Calcutta), Migration.

  • Skill Drill: Aerial Photography. Learn to identify land use (commercial vs. residential) from vertical photos.

March: The "Option" (The 80-Mark Essay)

• Focus: Geoecology (or your specific Option).

  • Data Insight: Geoecology is the most stable section.

  • Topics: Soils (Characteristics, Formation, Brown Earth vs. Podzol) and Biomes (Human impact on the Rainforest).

Strategy: This is an essay. Focus on Coherence (structure). Introduction -> 3 to 4 distinct aspects -> Conclusion.

Phase 3: The Sprint (April – May)

Goal: Refine Skills and Timing.

April: The Geographical Investigation (GI) & Rocks

• Focus: Your GI Report (worth 20%) is usually due. Ensure it is submitted.

• Revision: The Rock Cycle.

  • Data Insight: The Rock Cycle is a common "Part B" or "Part C" question in Physical Geography.

  • Skill Drill: Weather Maps. Analyze synoptic charts (Isobars, Fronts, Wind speed).

May: The "Short Question" Blitz

• Focus: Q1–Q12 Mastery.

  • Strategy: Do 5 years of past Short Questions (2020–2025).

  • Target: You need to score 70+/80 here to secure a H1/H2.

Final Review: Re-memorize your 15 SRPs for your "Banker" questions (Plate Tectonics, Waterfall, Biome, MNCs).

The "Golden Rules" for This Plan

1. The SRP Rule: Never summarize. Calculate. Every time you study a topic, ask: "Do I have 15 distinct facts (SRPs) for this?"

2. The "Interleaving" Method: Do not just study "Physical" in September and forget it. In January, when studying Brazil, start your study session with a 10-minute review of Plate Tectonics.

3. Diagrams are Mandatory: In Physical Geography, a labeled diagram is often worth 4 marks (10% of a long question). Practice drawing them in under 60 seconds.

4. Watch the Clock: In every practice session after Christmas, set a timer. If you can't write the answer in 35–40 minutes, you don't know it well enough yet.