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7037 · AQA A Level

7037/11

Physical Geography

Geography · June 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: AQA

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

240

Duration

300 min

Most tested topic

Hazards and Contemporary Urban Environments

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

240

Duration

300 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5).

2

While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students evaluate subjective sources like art (LS Lowry) and qualitative satellite layouts.

3

High-scoring candidates demonstrated a refined ability to link physical processes directly to human management strategies.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Application and E3
Knowledge and Understanding2
Analysis and1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Application and EApplication andEKnowledge and UnderstandingKnowledge andUnderstandingAnalysis andAnalysis and
SkillWeightShare
  • Application and E

    Weight: 3100%
  • Knowledge and Understanding

    Weight: 267%
  • Analysis and

    Weight: 133%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A*

Approx. 76% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 66% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 55% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 45% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 34% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 23% of maximum mark

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

AssessFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.

AnalyseFrequency: 5

Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.

differenceFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “difference” questions.

OutlineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

EvaluateFrequency: 2

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Water and Carbon Cy20m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 2

Coastal Systems and45m / 36 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Global Systems and45m / 36 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Changing Places45m / 36 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

The concept of hazard in a geographical context

48 marks this session

Urbanisation

48 marks this session

Changing places \u2013 relationships, connections, meaning and representation

36 marks this session

Water and carbon cycles as natural systems

36 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

The concept of hazard in a geographical context

48
48

Urbanisation

48
48

Water, carbon, climate and life on Earth

20
26
46

Urban forms

38
38

Changing places \u2013 relationships, connections, meaning and representation

36
36

Water and carbon cycles as natural systems

36
36

The nature and importance of places

26
26

Changing places – relationships, connections, meaning and representation

26
26

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 June 2022 · 3.5/52023 June 2023 · 3.8/52024 June 2024 · 4.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Physical Geography:

120 marks150 min

Paper 2: Human Geography:

120 marks150 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

  • Omitting balanced evaluations of alternative viewpoints before drawing conclusions in the 20-mark synoptic essays.

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5).

  • 2Message

    While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students evaluate subjective sources like art (LS Lowry) and qualitative satellite layouts.

  • 3Message

    High-scoring candidates demonstrated a refined ability to link physical processes directly to human management strategies.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2022 2022

Geography

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5). While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students

  • The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5).

  • While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students evaluate subjective sources like art (LS Lowry) and qualitative satellite layouts.

  • High-scoring candidates demonstrated a refined ability to link physical processes directly to human management strategies.

Total marks
240
Duration
300 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5). While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students evaluate subjective sources like art (LS Lowry) and qualitative satellite layouts. High-scoring candidates demonstrated a refined ability to link physical processes directly to human management strategies.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Physical Geography:

120 marks150 min

Paper 2: Human Geography:

120 marks150 min

Top chapters

The concept of hazard in a geographical context48 marks
Urbanisation48 marks
Changing places \u2013 relationships, connections, meaning and representation36 marks
Water and carbon cycles as natural systems36 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Water and carbon cycles as natu16 marks
Water, carbon, climate and life20 marks
Coastal systems and landscapes12 marks
Coastal landscape development4 marks
Coastal management20 marks
The concept of hazard20 marks
Volcanic hazards4 marks
Seismic hazards6 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

75% within easy or medium reach

60
120
60
Easy: 60 marksMedium: 120 marksHard: 60 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Assess7 times
Analyse5 times
difference4 times
Outline3 times
Evaluate2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

240Marks
  • Extended Essay

    (20 marks)

    120·6·50%

  • Short Answer

    (4-6 marks)

    84·16·35%

  • Medium Tariff / Evaluative

    (9 marks)

    36·4·15%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Water and Carbon C…Changing PlacesGlobal Systems and…Hazards

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Water and Carbon Cy

0.50 m/min
10
20

Coastal Systems and

0.80 m/min
36
45

Global Systems and

0.80 m/min
36
45

Changing Places

0.80 m/min
36
45

Total marks

118

Total time

155 min

Avg pace

0.76

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

060120180240A* estimatedA estimatedB estimatedC estimatedD estimatedE estimatedU estimated3672120156192240

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Volcanic Hazards & Nu\u00e9es Ardentes

85%

85%

The 'Global Commons' (Antarctica Governance)

80%

80%

Urban Drainage & SUDS

75%

75%

Difficulty Verdict

The June 2022 AQA A-Level Geography series is rated as a 4-star challenge (Difficulty Index 3.5). While the physical geography papers featured highly accessible core scientific concepts, the human geography papers required sophisticated critical thinking, demanding that students evaluate subjective sources like art (LS Lowry) and qualitative satellite layouts. High-scoring candidates demonstrated a refined ability to link physical processes directly to human management strategies.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h 30min
Total marks
120
Weighting
50%
Question types
Short outline, Data analysis and stimulus assessment, Medium evaluative response, Extended essay

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

7037/11 — AQA A Level Geography (June 2022) | Revui