← Geography syllabus

EnglandGeography

Synoptic Investigation and Geographical Skills

2 dot points across 2 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does Paper 3 test synoptic thinking, and how do you write a strong decision-making answer?

The nature and demands of the Edexcel Paper 3 synoptic investigation: how the pre-released resource booklet links the compulsory content across the specification, how the geographical skills and players-and-attitudes framework are applied, and how to structure the evaluative decision-making essay.
An Edexcel A-Level Geography answer to Paper 3, the synoptic investigation, covering how the pre-released resource booklet links compulsory content across the specification, how to read and use the figures, how players, attitudes, actions and futures structure the analysis, and how to write the high-tariff evaluative decision-making essay.
12 min answer →

What is the Edexcel independent investigation, and how is it structured and assessed?

The nature, requirements and assessment of the independent investigation (the non-examined assessment): an independent fieldwork-based enquiry of 3000 to 4000 words using primary and secondary data, structured through the enquiry process and marked against Pearson's criteria.
An Edexcel A-Level Geography answer to the independent investigation (the non-examined assessment), covering its nature and requirements, the independent fieldwork-based enquiry of 3000 to 4000 words using primary and secondary data, the structure through the enquiry process, the marking criteria, and how it is worth 70 marks and 20 per cent of the A-Level.
11 min answer →