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GCSE Geography (AQA)

Physical and human geography with fieldwork skills. AQA board.

Pass mark 24/40 60 minutes AQA How many can I get wrong?
Little and often beats one big session. Five minutes on the bus counts.
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Try 3 real GCSE Geography (AQA) questions
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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.
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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
GCSE Geography (AQA) — common questions
Frequently asked
How many questions are in the GCSE Geography (AQA)?
The exam has 40 questions. Every Revision Robin mock uses the same 40-question format so your practice matches the real thing.
What is the pass mark for the GCSE Geography (AQA)?
You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 60%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
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.