LGCSE Geography exam-day guide
LGCSE Geography · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter and photo ID
Bring the admission/entry document your centre issued plus the identity document it names (typically a passport or national ID). Check the name spelling and candidate number match. Which ID types are accepted is set by the awarding organisation and your centre, so confirm with the provider if yours is unusual (expired document, different name form, digital-only copy).
Centre-approved stationery
Pack black or blue pens for written answers, pencils and a sharpener and eraser for any diagrams or multiple-choice sheets, and a clear pencil case if your centre requires one. Confirm with the provider which pen colours and calculator models are permitted, since rules vary by centre.
Calculator (if permitted for your paper)
Geography papers often include data-handling or fieldwork questions where a basic calculator helps. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed in your specific paper and which models are banned; do not assume.
Ruler, protractor and plain paper for rough work
A ruler is useful for scale bars, cross-sections and neat tables; a protractor helps with bearing and gradient questions. Rough paper is usually supplied by the centre, so confirm with the provider whether you may bring your own.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Many exam halls have no visible clock or the clock may be poorly placed. A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features is usually acceptable, but confirm with the provider because some centres ban all watches.
Water in a clear bottle, labels removed
Staying hydrated helps concentration on long papers. Most centres allow a clear bottle with the label removed; confirm with the provider, as some sessions restrict drinks.
Know your seat, room and arrival time
Check the noticeboard, email or centre instructions for the room and the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time. Arrive with margin for security checks and seating.
Revise command words and map/graph skills, not just content
In the last days, practise interpreting command words (describe, explain, compare, evaluate, justify) and quick skills: grid references, contour interpretation, cross-sections, choropleth and scatter-graph reading, and calculating means and ranges. These earn marks fast and reliably.
Prepare case-study facts in compact form
Make a one-page summary per case study with location, key figures, causes, impacts and responses. Learn a few precise statistics you can deploy confidently rather than many vague ones.
Plan your timing per section
Note the marks and suggested time for each section from the paper's instructions. A common approach is roughly one minute per mark plus reading time, but confirm the structure of your paper with the provider.
Check fieldwork and skills paper requirements
If your qualification includes a fieldwork or skills-based component, confirm with the provider what equipment, data or pre-release material (if any) you must bring or have studied, and whether any part is completed before the exam day.
Rest, food and transport plan
Sleep properly the night before, eat a normal breakfast, and plan your route with a backup option. Arrange your transport the day before so the morning is calm.
Plan the day
Work through at least one full past or specimen paper under timed conditions, then mark it honestly against the mark scheme and list your three weakest topics. Spend the remaining time on those topics and on skills practice (map interpretation, graph reading, statistical calculations) rather than re-reading everything. Review your case-study one-pagers and memorise a handful of precise figures. Check the exam timetable, room and reporting time, and read the centre's conduct rules so nothing surprises you on the day.
Do light revision only: skim case-study summaries, command words and a checklist of skills. Pack your bag with admission letter, ID, stationery, calculator if allowed, ruler, watch and water, and lay out clothes. Confirm your transport and set two alarms. Avoid learning brand-new content late, as it displaces consolidated knowledge. Eat a proper meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat breakfast, drink water and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as the centre directs; do not bring notes into the hall. Use the walk-in time to settle, not to cram. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: instructions, section structure, marks and time guidance. Note any choice of questions and decide quickly which to answer.
Read the whole paper briefly, then allocate time by marks and stick to it. Answer the question actually asked, using the command word: describe says what, explain says why, compare requires both similarities and differences, evaluate requires a judgement. Use specific case-study detail with named places and figures. For skills questions, show working for calculations and use units. Label diagrams, include a scale where relevant, and annotate maps clearly. If a question is blocking you, leave space, move on and return. Keep an eye on the clock so you reserve the last few minutes to check you have answered every required question and filled in the answer booklet details correctly.
Rules to check
Bring only permitted items into the exam room. Bags, notes, phones and smart watches normally stay outside or in a designated area; confirm with the provider exactly what is allowed, as rules differ between centres.
Carry the identity document named on your admission letter and place it on your desk if instructed. If your ID is lost or does not match your entry details, tell centre staff immediately rather than waiting; confirm with the provider how such cases are handled.
Follow all instructions from invigilators, including on seating, timing, toilet breaks and leaving the room. Raise your hand if you need to leave; you may be accompanied, and you may not be allowed to return to the paper in some circumstances, so confirm the centre's policy.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not look at another candidate's work. Any suspected malpractice is reported to the awarding organisation and can lead to the paper being cancelled.
Write in the answer booklet or on the paper as instructed, clearly numbering your answers and writing your candidate details where required. Work on loose paper or in margins may not be marked.
Scoring: marks are awarded for what is written, so show your working, use geographical terminology and give specific case-study evidence. Do not leave blanks; a partial answer can still earn marks. Confirm with the provider how marks are allocated across sections and whether any component is weighted differently.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper (a missing page, a misprint, or a question you think is unanswerable), tell an invigilator at once rather than guessing. Do not attempt to correct the paper yourself.
After the exam, do not discuss the content with others until the awarding organisation permits it, and do not share paper content online. Confirm with the provider what post-exam communication is allowed.