How to Revise for A-Level Geography: Tactics That Work

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

Published

28 February 2025

Last updated

28 February 2025

Contents

The sheer volume of A-Level Geography content that you have to revise can leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed. You’ve already spent hours ‘revising’ but don't feel like anything is sticking.

The thought of lengthy exam papers and the pressure to perform well is certainly daunting. But don’t worry! With the right approach, you can conquer your revision and walk into that exam room confident and prepared.

In this article, you’ll learn how to revise for A level Geography with tactics that actually work.

Key Tactics

Create an effective study plan.
Start with the exam board website.
Break down the topics.
Make thematic mind maps.
Get to know your case studies.
Past papers and mark schemes are your allies.
Practice under timed conditions.
Understand the command words.
Try different revision resources and approaches.
Enhance memory and retention.

Create an Effective Study Plan

Unless this is a last-minute panic, you really should make a revision timetable, preferably around six months before the exam season begins. The less time you give yourself, the more panicked you will be.

The benefits of giving yourself enough time for revision are:

Spaced repetition gives you better recall in your exam.
You have time to identify gaps in your knowledge and then take action to fill those gaps.
You can maintain a healthy balance between revision and things that you enjoy, such as hobbies and sports.
You can plan time off for events such as birthdays or family events without feeling guilty.

Don’t waste time creating a colourful and organised revision timetable. Things change, and then you’ll feel the need to redo it, taking up more of your time.

Think of the timetable as a working document; it’s okay to change it around.

Get a couple of A1 sheets of paper and make two timetables: one for a week-by-week plan and the other for a day-to-day timetable.

This is a quick way of checking plans and prevents distractions when you open your laptop to check the timetable.

It’s also a good visual for your family to see what you are planning and if they need you for an event.

Start with the Exam Board Website

Go to the exam board’s website and seek out the A-Level Geography page and specification; this is your ultimate guide. Think of it as the official roadmap of everything you need to know. This is where you find examiner reports, past papers, student guides, command words, and more.

Here’s what to do:

Begin by downloading the specification and carefully reading through it.
Highlight the key themes, topics, and skills you'll be assessed on.
Use the specification as a checklist. This keeps you and your revision focused on what is required.

The examiner knows the syllabus, and you should too. Knowing the syllabus helps you avoid wasting time revising non-examined material or missing necessary course material.

Break Down the Topics

Geography A-Level covers a huge range of topics, from tectonic plates to urbanisation to the carbon cycle. It’s easy to get burnt out when you try to do everything at once. Instead, divide the topics into smaller chunks that are easier to handle.

For instance, look at ‘coastal systems’ or ‘globalisation’ separately. Set aside certain days or weeks to revise different topics, and then stick to the plan. Once you have completed one area, quickly review it once more before moving on.

This structured approach will help your understanding, keep track of your progress, keep up a steady pace, and keep you from feeling swamped.

Even within topics, break things down. Imagine trying to eat a whole pizza at once—impossible, right? But if you slice it, it becomes much more manageable.

For example, if you're studying ‘coastal systems,’ divide that into sub-topics like ‘coastal erosion,’ ‘deposition,’ ‘landforms,’ and ‘management.’

Focus on one subtopic at a time. After reviewing it, make short summary notes.

You could also draw diagrams or create mind maps to help you remember key points more easily.

Focus on one part at a time to learn more and understand a subject. This method will guarantee that you comprehend every aspect of the subject, not just the surface.

Make Thematic Mind Maps

Mind maps are fantastic for seeing the big picture. After reviewing each section, create concise summary notes. These are super helpful visual aids because breaking the content down makes it less daunting. You're tackling smaller, bite-sized pieces instead of a huge, overwhelming whole.

Try creating a mind map for each major topic—for example, one on tectonic hazards or another on development. Include all the key facts, case studies, and theories, and see how they connect. This helps you remember details and recall them easily during the exam.

A good mind map can show you the bigger picture. They’re a visual network of knowledge, showing the connections between different concepts. They provide structure to your revision, identify gaps in your knowledge, and strengthen your understanding of complex relationships.

You'll have a clear, visual plan of what you’ve studied, which reduces stress and increases efficiency.

Get to Know Your Case Studies

In A-Level Geography, case studies are your priceless tool. Case studies provide real-world examples that support your arguments in exams. Think of case studies as evidence in a court of law—they back up your claims and make your arguments more convincing.

Here’s what to do:

Create a list of all the case studies you've covered.
For each one, know the location, the key events, the impacts, and how it was managed.
Regularly review these examples and practice linking them to different types of exam questions.
Keep them updated and timely.
- If something occurs while you are revising and it feels relevant, then use it.
- Examiners like that you are engaging with the topic and can relate to current events.
Look for educational YouTube channels, like Time for Geography or BBC documentaries.
- Note down key points while watching to reinforce your learning.
Make case studies personal.
- For instance, if you live on the coast and there are management schemes that have impacted your area, use those as examples.
- Your writing will reflect greater detail than remembering places you have never been to.

Case studies provide concrete examples that demonstrate your understanding of complex geographical concepts. Strong case study knowledge will raise your answers from acceptable to outstanding.

Past Papers and Mark Schemes are Your Allies

Past papers are invaluable! They give you a feel for the exam format and question types while building familiarity and reducing anxiety.

Instructions:

After attempting a paper, meticulously review the mark scheme.
It shows exactly what examiners look for, helping you refine your answers and identify areas needing more study.
Look at the examiner report for that year. It provides feedback on student performance, common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
Use them alongside your answers to get insight into the marking process, including common student mistakes and improve your exam techniques.

By analysing past papers and mark schemes, you can identify patterns, understand common pitfalls, and fine-tune your exam technique. Consistent practice with past papers will significantly boost your confidence and performance.

Practice Under Timed Conditions

Knowing the material isn’t enough—you need to write compelling answers quickly. Practice answering past questions under timed conditions to get used to the exam pace. This helps you manage your time better and stay calm on the day.

Make sure you really time yourself and be strict. You only have so much time and writing a couple of essays within that time is hard. So many of my students have said, ‘Oh Miss, I ran out of time.’

Think of the marks as minutes, so a 25-mark question means you have 25 minutes of writing and that includes thinking about what to write. Not long, is it?

Jot down ideas on the side of the paper as you read the question, as by the time you get to writing, you will have forgotten; this is a really quick essay plan that you can draw on.

Exam day is about managing your time effectively. Practicing under timed conditions prepares you for the actual exam. Time constraints add pressure, so it’s important to get used to working within them.

By practicing timed responses, you can gauge your speed, identify time-wasting habits, and develop an efficient exam strategy. Timed practice builds stamina and ensures you can complete the exam within the allotted time.

Practice Interpreting Data and Maps

Geography is all about understanding data. Just like a detective analysing clues, you need to examine geographical data to uncover insights. Make sure you're comfortable interpreting maps, charts, and graphs.

Exams often require you to identify patterns and explain trends, so practice these skills until they become second nature. The better you are at handling data, the more confident you’ll feel.

A typical complaint of examiners is the lack of proficiency in data handling, which is crucial for achieving high marks in A-Level Geography.

Understand the Command Words

Command words are the instructions within a question. They tell you exactly what the examiner expects. Imagine a recipe—you need to follow the instructions precisely to get the best meal. It’s the same with exam questions.

Exam questions use command words like ‘describe,’ ‘analyse,’ or ‘evaluate.’ Each one needs a slightly different type of answer.

Take the time to learn what these words mean and practice writing responses that match them.

Remember, though, that each exam board might have a different take on the same command word, so always check.

Understanding command words ensures you structure your answers correctly and maximise all those extra marks.

Try Different Revision Resources and Approaches

Using a range of tools helps people who learn in different ways and gives them a complete picture. Seeing things from different points of view can help you understand complex concepts better.

Don’t rely on just one textbook. Explore revision guides, online geography sites, and video tutorials. Each resource might explain things differently, which can enhance your understanding. Just make sure they’re aligned with the A-Level syllabus to guarantee accuracy.

Set realistic goals and break down your revision into manageable tasks for each session. This can help you stay motivated and focused on the task at hand.

Studying with friends can help you stay motivated and focused. You can quiz each other and discuss challenging topics together.

If you start to lose focus on one subject, try switching to a different one to keep your mind engaged.

Download an app that limits your social media use. Apps like Ascent promise to restore focus and minimise distraction by preventing access to social media accounts during ‘work’ sessions.

The Save My Exams accounts with Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter will give you a daily dose of revision motivation, helpful blog posts, new content updates, and the occasional competition.

So, checking out a number of different resources will help you find the best answers for you and fill in any knowledge gaps. Using a variety of study materials keeps things interesting and makes sure you cover everything on the syllabus.

Enhance Memory and Retention

If you don't review the material again, you lose 66% of it within seven days and 88% after six weeks! Give your brain a workout and lock material into long-term memory during revision to overcome that forgetting curve.

To practice recall, review topics periodically. For example, start a water management review session by quickly recalling energy management. Then, review prior sections to train your brain to retrieve material from several places on the syllabus.

Use mnemonics and acronyms to help you remember facts that might otherwise be hard to remember. This could be imagining facts as locations on a map, constructing a narrative to help recall a sequence of information, or conjuring up vivid mental images.

For example, you are revising river and coastal erosion but can’t remember what they are. Use the first letters of each method and create a memorable word or phrase.

I use HACA: hydraulic action, abrasion, corrosion, and attrition (it’s easy for me because I used to live in New Zealand, and it reminds me of the Haka that the Maori’s do). What about Naughty Elephants Squirt Water for North, South, East, and West?

Create mnemonics to remember lists and sequences. Develop catchy phrases to aid recall of complex information.

Finally, Take Breaks and Look After Yourself

You'll perform your best when you’re rested and healthy. A well-rested and healthy mind retains information better. Ensure you:

Get enough sleep before your exams.
Stay hydrated and eat brain-boosting foods.
Take breaks to avoid burnout (use the Pomodoro technique: 25-minute study sessions with 5-minute breaks)

By putting yourself first, you set the best conditions for successful revision. Remember, your health and well-being are just as important as your revision.

These tips will help you study for your A-Level Geography exams more effectively so you can feel confident going into them. Change these tips to fit your own style, and you will find it much easier to handle the material. You can do this!

Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams

At Save My Exams, we’re here to help you achieve the best possible grade in A-Level Geography. Right now, you can access our past papers with mark schemes, giving you the perfect way to practise and refine your exam technique.

And that’s just the start—our expert team is working on even more resources to support your revision, including:

Clear and concise revision notes for AQA and Edexcel that break down complex topics into easy-to-understand explanations.
AQA exam-style questions with detailed mark schemes, so you know exactly what examiners are looking for.
Flashcards for quick-fire revision and easy recall of key facts and definitions.

New resources are coming, so stay tuned! In the meantime, get ahead with our Edexcel A-Level Geography exam questions and start building your exam confidence today.

Explore Our A-Level Geography Revision Resources