LC Geography exam-day guide
LC Geography · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and examination number
Bring the identification your centre requires (typically a school/centre examination number and photo ID). Confirm the exact accepted ID and whether the candidate number is pre-printed or issued on the day with your school or the examination provider.
Black or blue pens, plus spares
Write in dark ink so answers scan clearly if scripts are digitised. Bring at least two working pens and a spare; check whether correction fluid or tape is permitted before using any.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Needed for any diagrams, sketches, graphs or annotations. Keep them in a clear pencil case if your centre requires transparent containers.
Ruler and protractor
Useful for cross-sections, field sketches, scale bars and any map or graph work. A clear ruler that does not obscure the page is safest.
Calculator (if permitted)
Geography papers may involve simple calculations such as gradients, ratios, percentages or rates. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are permitted; do not assume.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require see-through storage. Confirm the centre's rules on bags, cases and what may be on the desk.
Water in a clear bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated without distracting yourself. Check the centre's rule on drinks; some centres require the label removed and the bottle on the floor.
Know your seat, room and start time in advance
Confirm the venue, room, reporting time and any entry arrangements with your school or centre at least a day before. Arrive early enough to settle without stress.
Watch or silent timer
A simple analogue watch helps you pace sections. Smart watches and phones are normally prohibited at the desk; confirm the centre's policy on watches.
Review command words and case-study examples
In the last days, rehearse what 'describe', 'explain', 'compare', 'evaluate' and 'to what extent' require, and recall a small set of place-specific examples with named locations and data.
Check whether any equipment is provided
Some centres supply answer booklets, graph paper, maps or data sheets. Confirm with the provider what is issued and what you must bring yourself.
Plan for leaving valuables at home
Phones and smart devices are usually banned from the examination room. Confirm the centre's storage arrangements so you are not caught out.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read your summary notes for physical and human geography themes, and practise past-paper-style questions under timed conditions. Focus on command words, structure and using specific named examples with figures. Do not start a brand-new topic you have never studied; instead, patch the two or three weakest areas. Check the exam logistics: venue, start time, permitted equipment and any access arrangements.
Do a light review only: key definitions, processes, case-study facts and data. Prepare your equipment the night before and place it by the door. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Eat well, avoid late-night cramming and aim for a full night's sleep. If you review anything, skim your own notes rather than attempting new practice papers.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave phones and smart devices according to centre instructions. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: number of sections, marks per section, choice of questions and time allowed. Take a few calm breaths and set your pacing before you start writing.
Read all instructions and scan the whole paper. Note which questions are compulsory and where you have a choice. Decide your question choices before writing, and allocate time roughly in proportion to marks, leaving a few minutes at the end to check.
Answer in the required format and write legibly. Match the length and depth of each answer to its mark tariff: a short 'state' question needs a brief point, while an 'explain' or 'evaluate' question needs developed reasoning and evidence. Use named places, specific data and clear geographical terminology. For structured questions, address each part separately. If a question refers to a resource printed in the paper, use only the information given there. If you get stuck, move on and return later; do not leave blanks, as a partial answer may earn credit.
Check that you have answered every required question and filled in the question numbers correctly. Verify units, scale and direction on any map or graph work. Make sure your name or candidate number is where it should be, and stop writing immediately when instructed.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identification your centre requires. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable ID or whether a candidate number is issued on the day, confirm with the provider before the exam.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Do not begin writing before you are told to start and stop immediately when told to finish; continuing to write after time is called can be treated as malpractice.
Phones, smart watches and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed. Bringing unauthorised material or devices into the examination room may lead to disqualification; confirm the centre's exact policy with the provider.
Use only equipment that is permitted. If you are unsure whether a calculator, correction fluid, dictionary or specific watch is allowed, ask your teacher or the provider in advance rather than assuming.
Breaks and access arrangements vary by centre. If you need a rest break, extra time or other access arrangements, arrange these formally with the provider well before the exam; do not expect them to be granted on the day.
Marks are awarded for what you write, not for what you intended. Answer the question actually asked, use the command word to guide depth, and support points with named examples and data where the question invites it.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the examination, and do not take question papers or answer materials out of the room unless an invigilator explicitly permits it.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, an invigilator's instruction or your circumstances, raise it with the invigilator at the time and ask your school to follow up with the provider afterwards.