AQA A Level Geography Paper 1 2025 Mark Scheme

Download the official **AQA A-Level Geography Paper 1 (Physical Geography) mark scheme for June 2025 (7037/1/MS)**. This document provides detailed examiner guidance, level descriptors, and indicative content used to award marks in the final exam.

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## **What This Mark Scheme Includes (page 1–3)**

- Examiner marking principles and standardisation guidance
- Level-of-response marking system
- AO1, AO2, AO3 assessment breakdown
- “Best-fit” marking approach explained

👉 The **instructions on page 3** emphasise:
- Examiners judge **overall quality, not minor mistakes**
- Alternative valid answers must be credited
- Marks are awarded using **levels first, then fine-tuned**

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## **Section A Marking Insights (Water & Carbon Cycles)**

### **Q1.1 (4 marks) – Drainage basin**
- 1 mark per point (definition, watershed, flow, patterns)
- Developed points earn extra credit

### **Q1.2 (6 marks) – Data analysis**
- Must compare countries + use figures
- Top answers include:
- China & USA ≈ largest reductions
- EU + non-G20 ≈ major contributors
- Requires **clear data links (AO3)**

### **Q1.3 (6 marks) – Water supply**
- Balance **physical vs human factors**
- Key idea:
👉 *Precipitation is the most important physical factor*
- Must include assessment, not just description

### **Q1.4 (20 marks) – Carbon stores essay**
Top-level answers include:
- Processes: photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition
- Human factors: deforestation, farming, mining
- Climate change impacts (wildfires, reduced productivity)
- Clear judgement + case study

👉 Level 4 (16–20 marks) requires:
- Strong evaluation
- Clear links between processes
- Accurate, detailed case study knowledge

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## **Section B Key Marking Themes**

### **Deserts (Q2)**
- Weathering important BUT not always dominant
- High marks = comparison with erosion, wind, water

### **Coasts (Q3)**
- High energy = large fetch + strong winds
- Sustainability questions require:
- Real-world limits (cost, space, politics)

### **Glaciation (Q4)**
- Erosion important (plucking, abrasion)
- BUT must include:
- Deposition (drumlins, moraines)
- Ice movement processes

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## **Section C Key Marking Themes**

### **Hazards (Q5)**
- High marks = **scale + management challenges**
- Example:
- Philippines storm → communication + access issues

### **Ecosystems (Q6)**
- Carbon + nutrient cycles require:
- Clear flow understanding (inputs, outputs)
- Coral reefs:
- Unsustainable exploitation + climate change impacts

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## **How to Get Top Marks (from examiner guidance)**

✔ Use **data in answers (AO3)**
✔ Include **evaluation, not just explanation (AO2)**
✔ Apply **case studies clearly (AO1 → AO2 link)**
✔ Write a **clear judgement in essays**
✔ Show **connections between processes**

👉 The mark scheme repeatedly rewards:
> “clear connections between different aspects of the data and evidence” :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

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## **Level System (Used Across 6–20 Mark Questions)**

- **Level 4 (Top band):** Detailed, coherent, evaluative
- **Level 3:** Clear, mostly developed
- **Level 2:** Partial, limited depth
- **Level 1:** Basic, descriptive
- **Level 0:** No credit

👉 Key takeaway:
Marks are awarded based on **quality of argument + depth**, not length.

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## **Why This Mark Scheme Is Essential**

- Shows exactly **how examiners award marks**
- Reveals **common mistakes students make**
- Helps structure **20-mark essays effectively**
- Improves **data interpretation skills (AO3)**
- Critical for moving from **B → A/A\***

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Perfect for pairing with the question paper for full exam practice.

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Who is this Document for?
This mark scheme is for Year 13 AQA A-Level Geography students and teachers.

It is ideal for exam practice, self-marking, and understanding how top-band answers are structured.

This mark scheme is for Year 13 AQA A-Level Geography students and teachers.

It is ideal for exam practice, self-marking, and understanding how top-band answers are structured.