If you are studying for a (I)GCSE or equivalent examination in geography why not use this checklist to see which skills you are confident about and which you need more practice with.

Remember to show this checklist to your teacher, they will be able to tell you if there are any skills missing from this list, or if there are some you don't need to have for your particular examination.

 

Map skills

For both 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 maps can you:

  • recognise symbols (although these will be printed on the exam map extract)
  • use four figure grid references
  • use six figure grid references
  • understand different types of scale - linear, statement and ratio
  • measure distances - both in a straight line and along a winding route
  • use compass directions
  • draw or complete a cross section and annotate (label) features on it
  • interpret contour lines, and use them to recognise differences in height and landforms e.g. slopes
  • recognise, describe and explain the formation of river and/or glacial features
  • describe drainage patterns, recognise drainage basins and identify their watersheds
  • describe the location and distribution of land uses and types of vegetation
  • describe and comment on patterns of settlement and communications
  • use maps together with aerial photographs

You will be expected to understand other types of map as well, especially:

  • atlas maps
  • weather maps
  • geological maps
  • road maps
  • railway maps


Photograph skills

Can you:

  • recognise aerial photographs - these can be either vertical (looking straight down) or oblique (taken at an angle)
  • identify the direction in which the camera taking a photograph was facing
  • describe the features shown in the photograph
  • recognise satellite images
  • interpret satellite images - especially the colours used to show different land uses


Graphical skills

Can you:

  • interpret a variety of different graphs
  • understand the limitations of these different types of graphs
  • complete pie charts, line, bar, scatter and triangular graphs

Sketching skills

Can you:

  • draw and interpret sketch maps, diagrams and field sketches


Are there any revision guides for geography?

There are many revision guides you can buy to help you prepare for your exams. These are just a few of them:

  • GCSE Bitesize revision - Geography by David Balderstone and Sheila King - published by BBC
  • GCSE Geography Revision Notes by Adam Arnell - published by Letts Educational
  • Revise GCSE Geography by David Jones with Tony Buzan - published by Hodder and Stoughton
  • Revision Guides - GCSE Geography by Liz Taylor - published by Pearson Publishing