WJECGCSE33 resources

WJEC GCSE Geography Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free WJEC GCSE Geography past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Physical and human geography plus fieldwork enquiry. 33 resources.

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33 of 33 resources — page 1 of 2

Summer 2023

9 files

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GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [Paper size: A4 Font size: 24] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues [Paper size: A4 Font size: 24] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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Summer 2022

10 files

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GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [Resource] – Past Paper – Summer 2022

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

Mark Scheme

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✅

GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

Mark Scheme

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✅

GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Mark Scheme – Summer 2022

Mark Scheme

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📋

GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

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📋

GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues [Paper size: A4 Font size: 24] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

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📋

GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] [Resource] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [Paper size: A4 Font size: 24] [Resource] – Modified Paper – Summer 2022

Modified Paper

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Summer 2019

6 files

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

Modified Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [RESOURCE] – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

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GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Past Paper – Summer 2019

Past Paper

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✅

GCSE Geography – Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry – Mark Scheme – Summer 2019

Mark Scheme

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GCSE Geography – Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes [ Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2019

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Changing Landscapes, Development Issues, and Fieldwork in the Welsh Geographical Context

WJEC GCSE Geography examines both physical and human geography through three assessment units. Unit 1 (Changing Physical and Human Landscapes) covers physical processes such as rivers, coasts, weather, and ecosystems alongside urban and rural change. Unit 2 (Environmental and Development Issues) addresses global themes including climate change, ecosystems at risk, resource management, and development inequalities. Unit 3 (Fieldwork Enquiry) is a written paper that tests students' understanding of geographical fieldwork methods and data analysis. The specification draws extensively on Welsh case studies and examples. Students study how physical processes shape the Welsh landscape — coastal erosion along the Pembrokeshire coast, river flooding in South Wales valleys, glacial landscapes of Snowdonia. Human geography topics include the regeneration of former industrial areas like the South Wales valleys, Cardiff Bay development, and rural-urban migration patterns within Wales. Unit 3's fieldwork enquiry component requires students to have undertaken at least two pieces of fieldwork during the course — one physical and one human. The written exam tests their ability to plan investigations, select appropriate techniques, present and analyse data, and evaluate their findings. Questions are based on unfamiliar fieldwork scenarios but draw on the skills developed through their own fieldwork experience. This archive contains 33 resources from Summer 2018 to Summer 2023.

Exam Paper Structure

Unit 1Calculator ✓

Changing Physical and Human Landscapes

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 marks📊 40% of grade

Landscapes and physical processesRural-urban linksTectonic landscapes and hazardsWeather, climate and ecosystems

Unit 2Calculator ✓

Environmental and Development Issues

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 marks📊 40% of grade

Climate changeEcosystems under threatResource managementDevelopment and globalisation

Unit 3Calculator ✓

Fieldwork Enquiry

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 marks📊 20% of grade

Fieldwork methodologyData collection techniquesData presentation and analysisEvaluation of enquiries

Key Information

Exam Board	WJEC
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	A*–G
Assessment Type	3 written papers
Unit 1	1 hr 30 min — Changing Physical and Human Landscapes (40%)
Unit 2	1 hr 30 min — Environmental and Development Issues (40%)
Unit 3	1 hr 30 min — Fieldwork Enquiry (20%)
Fieldwork Requirement	Minimum 2 fieldwork investigations required
Available Sessions	Summer 2018 – Summer 2023
Total Resources	33

Key Topics in Geography

Topics you need to know

Physical landscapes and processesHuman geography and urbanisationClimate change and sustainabilityDevelopment and globalisationOS map skillsFieldwork methods and data analysisWelsh geographical case studies

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Describe	State the main features or characteristics — use geographical vocabulary and specific detail
Explain	Give geographical reasons for processes, patterns, or distributions
Assess	Weigh up the importance of different factors and reach a supported judgement
To what extent	Evaluate how far a geographical statement is true, considering evidence on both sides
Suggest	Use geographical understanding to propose reasons or solutions for an unfamiliar scenario
Use evidence from the map/photo	Your answer must reference specific features visible in the resource provided

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade A*	74–84%
Grade A	62–73%
Grade B	50–61%
Grade C	38–49%
Grade D	28–37%

⚠️ Typical boundaries across all three units. Actual boundaries vary by series.

OS Map Skills, Case Study Depth, and Statistical Techniques for Fieldwork Questions

OS map skills are tested throughout the specification. Practise reading six-figure grid references, measuring distances using the scale bar, identifying features from contour patterns (valleys, spurs, plateaux), and describing relief and drainage from map extracts. WJEC papers frequently present Welsh OS map extracts, so familiarity with the conventions of UK mapping is essential. Case studies must be specific, not generic. When writing about coastal management, naming 'a coast in Wales' is not enough — you need to know specific places (Barmouth, Aberystwyth), specific data (rates of erosion, costs of defences), and specific outcomes. Build a case study bank with at least two detailed examples for each major topic, including specific factual evidence: dates, figures, place names, and outcomes. For Unit 3, practise interpreting and creating statistical outputs from fieldwork data. Know how to calculate mean, median, mode, range, and interquartile range. Understand when to use bar charts vs scatter graphs vs choropleth maps. The examiners consistently note that students who can explain why they chose a particular presentation technique — linking it to the type of data and the geographical question being investigated — score higher than those who just describe what the graph shows. Extended writing in geography requires you to weigh up competing arguments. For questions about sustainable development, resource management, or urban planning, present at least two contrasting viewpoints before reaching a justified conclusion. The strongest answers acknowledge trade-offs rather than presenting a one-sided argument.

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WJEC GCSE Geography Past Papers & Mark Schemes

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Summer 2023

Summer 2022

Summer 2019

Changing Landscapes, Development Issues, and Fieldwork in the Welsh Geographical Context

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Geography

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

OS Map Skills, Case Study Depth, and Statistical Techniques for Fieldwork Questions

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Applied Science (Single Award)

Art and Design

Biology

Built Environment

Business

Chemistry

Computer Science

Design and Technology

Digital Technology

Drama

Electronics

English Language

English Literature

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Food and Nutrition

French

Geology

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History

Latin

Mathematics-Numeracy

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Welsh Language (Cymraeg Iaith)

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