AQA GCSE Geography Paper 3 Pre-Release Materials: 2025

Are you feeling overwhelmed about the AQA GCSE Geography Paper 3 pre-release materials? You’re not alone. Many students find this part of the exam challenging, but with the right preparation, you can turn it into an opportunity to secure valuable marks. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the 2025 pre-release materials, including key dates, how to study effectively, and expert advice to help you excel in your final exam. Let’s get started.

What Is The AQA GCSE Geography Pre-Release?

The AQA GCSE Geography pre-release is a set of materials provided to students before Paper 3, Section A of the exam. It is designed to assess your ability to analyse and evaluate geographical issues using several sources, such as graphs, maps, newspaper extracts, stakeholder opinions, and satellite images. The materials are linked to the compulsory sections of the specification and can be UK-based or global.

The six-page booklet sent to schools contains a wide range of information you will use to prepare for Paper 3. The theme for this booklet will be taken from any part of the compulsory sections of the specification and may cover more than one topic. It could be UK-based or on a global scale.

Past ‘issues’ have included:

• UK Housing Challenge

• Tourism in the Cayman Islands

• Energy production and the location of a wind farm

• Squatter settlements

• Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

• Water management in the UK

• Changing energy mix in the UK

This part of the exam is worth 37 marks, which accounts for approximately 14% of your final grade. This includes SPaG or spelling, punctuation and grammar. Understanding how to interpret the resources and apply critical thinking skills is essential to performing well.

When Does The Pre-Release Become Available?

The pre-release materials will be available to students on the 20th March 2025. They will be given to you by your class teacher. Once your school receives them, you will have several weeks to study and prepare before sitting the final exam.

If you are a private candidate, your exam centre should forward the materials to you. If you have not received it by the 27th March 2025 contact the exams officer.

What To Do Once You Receive the Pre-Release Materials

1. Familiarise yourself with the materials

Carefully read through the booklet to understand the issue being presented. 

Identify key themes, stakeholders, and any links to the specification.

2. Analyse the different resources

The booklet will contain various sources, including:

• Graphs – Look for trends, anomalies, and patterns.

• Maps – Understand spatial distribution and location relevance.

• Text extracts – Identify different viewpoints and arguments.

• Photographs & satellite images – Observe physical and human geographical features.

• Fact Files & infographics – Extract key data and statistics.

3. Consider the stakeholders’ perspectives

Different groups will have different views on the issue. 

Think about:

• Economic, social, and environmental impacts.

• Short-term vs. long-term consequences.

• Potential solutions and their feasibility.

4. Practice answering questions

Use past papers and examiner reports to get familiar with the types of questions you may be asked. 

Consider:

• Skills-based questions (2–3 marks)

• Extended questions (6 marks)

• Decision-making questions (9 marks)

5. Formulate your own opinion

For the decision-making question, you must present a well-balanced argument before reaching a conclusion. Make sure your answer is supported by evidence from the pre-release booklet and your geographical knowledge.

How Will I Be Examined On The Pre-Release?

In the exam, you will be given a new copy of the pre-release booklet alongside the question paper. You will not be allowed to bring any notes.

You will have 35–40 minutes to complete this section. The question structure typically includes:

• Short-answer skills-based questions (2–3 marks) – These test your ability to interpret data and sources.

• Extended questions (6 marks) – These require you to explain or analyse a geographical concept using the provided resources.

• Decision-making question (9 marks) – This final question asks you to evaluate an issue and justify a decision. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG) marks are awarded in this question.

Can I Take The Pre-Release Booklet Into the GCSE Geography Exam?

No, you cannot take your copy of the pre-release booklet into the exam. However, a fresh copy will be provided alongside the question paper.

Examiner Feedback From Previous Years

Common Student Mistakes

Examiner reports from previous years highlight several recurring mistakes:

• Misinterpreting key terms – Understanding terms like ‘sustainability’ or ‘urbanisation’ is crucial. 

• Using specific and relevant key terms - When writing about pollution, you need to specify what type of pollution.

• Ignoring command words – Terms like ‘discuss’ and ‘evaluate’ require a balanced answer.

• Poor map skills - Ensure that you can interpret maps accurately using grid references, scale and directions.

• Simply copying from the booklet – Answers should go beyond lifting information from the sources and should demonstrate understanding.

• Incomplete graph-based questions – Ensure you can read and interpret a variety of graph types.

• Weak conclusions in 9-mark questions – A strong answer must present both sides and reach a justified decision.

How Save My Exams Can Help

To support your preparation, Save My Exams will provide:

• Glossary of key terms from the pre-release booklet.

• Predicted questions based on past trends.

• Annotated illustrations of the resources to highlight essential information.

• Examiner tips on structuring answers effectively.

• Worked examples to help you avoid common mistakes.

Tudeley Village plan from pre-release materials 2024

By using these resources, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the materials and improve your confidence in tackling the exam questions.

You can use them alongside our guide to the AQA GCSE Geography Issues Evaluation and our 2024 preparation materials. These will help you understand what the examiners are looking for in your answers. 

Our guide includes examples of past questions and exam tips from our expert geography team. The exam tips and worked examples will help you avoid common mistakes. 

We will advise you on how to interrogate the resources and apply them to questions rather than simply lifting information from the sources.

The resources will also help you identify the key information from the pre-release materials you have been given and support you in starting to consider the questions that may be asked about the sources.

With the right preparation, you can master the AQA GCSE Geography Paper 3 pre-release materials and achieve a strong grade. Stay focused, practice effectively, and make the most of the expert resources available to you. Good luck!

Start your preparation now by looking at the resources SME provided in 2024

More AQA GCSE Geography Resources

• AQA GCSE Geography: All Resources

• AQA GCSE Geography Revision Notes

• AQA GCSE Geography Topic Questions

• AQA GCSE Geography Past Papers

References

AQA Examiner Reports

AQA Pre-release materials

AQA guidance for private candidates