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GCSE Geography (AQA)

Physical and human geography with fieldwork skills. AQA board.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 24/40 60 minutes AQA How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our GCSE Geography (AQA) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by AQA. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Free practice questions
Try 3 real GCSE Geography (AQA) questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 245 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. What is the outer rigid layer of the Earth, broken into tectonic plates, called?
  • A.  The lithosphere
  • B.  The mantle
  • C.  The outer core
  • D.  The asthenosphere
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. The lithosphere
The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer made up of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle, broken into tectonic plates. The mantle beneath it is semi-molten and allows the plates to move. The core is far too deep and hot to be part of plate movement.
Q2. What is the general pattern of global atmospheric circulation based on?
  • A.  Three cells in each hemisphere: Hadley, Ferrel and Polar
  • B.  Two cells in each hemisphere: Tropical and Polar
  • C.  One continuous cell circling each hemisphere
  • D.  Four cells in each hemisphere aligned with ocean currents
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. Three cells in each hemisphere: Hadley, Ferrel and Polar
The global atmospheric circulation model divides each hemisphere into three cells — Hadley, Ferrel and Polar — which drive surface winds and create predictable high- and low-pressure belts. This three-cell model explains why deserts form around 30° latitude and rainforests near the Equator. A two-cell model is a common simplification but is not the AQA specification model.
Q3. A disadvantage often associated with groynes is that they can cause increased erosion further along the coast. Why does this happen?
  • A.  Groynes wash away completely within a year
  • B.  Groynes starve beaches downdrift of the sediment supply they would otherwise have received
  • C.  Groynes increase the height of storm waves
  • D.  Groynes always cause immediate flooding of the area behind them
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. Groynes starve beaches downdrift of the sediment supply they would otherwise have received
Because groynes trap sediment being moved by longshore drift, they reduce the amount of sand reaching beaches further along the coast in the direction of drift, which can leave those beaches narrower and more exposed to erosion. This is why groyne construction in one area is often controversial with neighbouring communities. Groynes do not increase wave height or typically wash away within a year, as they are usually built to last for decades.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
40 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 8 of 40 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
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Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
1 free drill left.
Natural hazards & tectonics · 46
Weather, climate & ecosystems · 58
Rivers & coasts · 34
Urban issues & challenges · 38
The changing economic world · 34
Resource management & fieldwork skills · 35

Who has to sit the GCSE Geography (AQA)

Who needs a GCSE Geography (AQA)?

Optional qualification, typically taken by students in Years 10-11.

The real GCSE Geography (AQA): format

How many questions are in the GCSE Geography (AQA)?

The real GCSE Geography (AQA) has 3 questions and lasts 90 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.

What is the GCSE Geography (AQA) pass mark?

Real exam pass mark: Grade 4 (standard pass) typically 112/252 marks (44%); Grade 5 (strong pass) typically 130/252 marks (52%). Our mock marks you at 24 out of 40, the threshold we mark against.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the GCSE Geography (AQA) cost?

Rebooking after a fail: Approximately one year (resits only in summer series)

How hard is it

What is the GCSE Geography (AQA) pass rate?

Real exam first-time pass rate: 65.1% achieved Grade 4 or above (AQA specific, 2026). Difficulty: Medium to high, requires analytical skills, applying knowledge to resources, and extended writing.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the GCSE Geography (AQA)?

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
GCSE Geography (AQA): common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with AQA.