EuraStudy
RevisionRevision / N11UK · A-Levels
Geology
A-Level Geology is the natural science of the Earth: the materials it is made of, the processes that shape it, and the immense span of time over which it has evolved. Delivered here through the WJEC/Eduqas specification (the current awarding body for A-Level Geology in England and Wales), it runs from elements, minerals and the three rock classes, through the surface and internal processes of the rock cycle, the structure of the Earth and global tectonics, rock deformation and the reading of geological time, to palaeontology, geohazards, economic and applied geology, and the interpretation of geological maps and cross-sections. It is assessed as much on the interpretation of maps, cross-sections, data and field evidence and on quantitative skill (radiometric ages, plate-motion rates, true thickness, porosity) as on recall, and it carries a compulsory fieldwork requirement.
0/56 Texts13 Chapters~196 min total
WJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 2) — Elements, minerals and rocksWJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 2) — Surface and internal processes of the rock cycleWJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 2) — Rock forming processesWJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 2) — Earth structure and global tectonicsWJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 1) — Geological investigations; (Component 2) — Earth structure and global tectonicsWJEC/Eduqas A level Geology (Component 2) — Rock deformation+8 moreFoundationStandardAdvanced
Table of contents · 13 ChaptersT·13
- Elements, minerals and rocks
- Surface and internal processes of the rock cycle
- Rock forming processes
- Earth structure and global tectonics
- Rock deformation
- Time and change
- Past life and past climates
- Geohazards
- Earth materials and natural resources
- Geological map applications
- Quaternary geology
- Geological evolution of Britain
- Geology of the lithosphere
- Component 1 — Geological Investigations
- A written examination that assesses the practical, mathematical and fieldwork skills of the course. It uses unfamiliar geological maps, cross-sections, photographs, specimens and data sets, and asks candidates to make measurements and calculations (dip and true thickness, rates of plate movement, radiometric ages, porosity), to interpret outcrop patterns and to draw and read cross-sections. Fieldwork is compulsory (a minimum of several days of guided fieldwork across the course) and is examined within this written component rather than as separate coursework; a calculator is allowed.
- Component 2 — Geological Principles and Processes
- A written examination on the core science of the subject: elements, minerals and rocks; the surface and internal processes of the rock cycle; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock-forming processes; the internal structure of the Earth and global tectonics; rock deformation; and geological time and change. It mixes short structured questions, data-response items and extended-response answers marked by levels of response, and rewards the ability to explain processes and to link them through the rock cycle and plate tectonics.
- Component 3 — Geological Applications
- A written examination on the applied and thematic content: past life and past climates, Earth materials and natural resources, and geohazards, together with the optional advanced themes (Quaternary geology, the geological evolution of Britain, and the geology of the lithosphere) from which centres select. It emphasises the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of evidence — reconstructing environments and histories, assessing resources and risk, and reaching justified conclusions.
- Assessment objectives, skills and grading
- The three assessment objectives are AO1 (knowledge and understanding of geological materials, processes, structures and time), AO2 (application of that understanding, including in practical, fieldwork, map and quantitative contexts) and AO3 (analysing, interpreting and evaluating geological evidence and data to reach conclusions). Application and analysis together carry the larger share of the marks, so recall alone is not enough. At least 10% of the marks assess level-3 (A-Level standard) mathematical skills, and a defined proportion assess practical, fieldwork and map skills. The standalone AS is a separate, subset qualification; the full A-Level is linear, taken at the end of the two-year course, and graded A*-E (U below E).