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ISEB Common Entrance Geography Exam
Introduction
Common Entrance Geography is divided into three sections: location knowledge, ordinance survey map work and thematic studies. The key topic areas within these sections are as follows: collection and recording, presentation, tectonic processes, meteorological processes, geomorphological processes, demographic processes, Transport and Industry and economic processes.
There are five assessment objectives, which are specified for students. Please find a full breakdown of CE Geography, as well as the requisite assessment details and objectives below.
Ordnance Survey mapwork skills
Candidates should know and understand:
4-figure and 6-figure grid references
Eastings, northings
Spot heights and contours
Direction
Orientation (8 points of the compass)
Distance
Area
Candidates should be able to:
Follow routes
Identify relief and landscape features
Annotate simple sketch sections
Use maps in decision-making
Understand site, situation and shape of settlements
Fieldwork and enquiry skills
1. Collection and recording
May include: questionnaires: use and design
Sampling
Surveys, e.g. shopping, traffic and pedestrian counts
Environmental quality surveys
Land-use mapping
Other mapping skills
Field sketches
Secondary sources, including internet, CD roms etc.
2. Presentation
May include:
Maps: key, scale, direction
Shaded (choropleth) maps
Annotated sketch maps
Flow maps
Annotated field sketches and photographs
Graphs, bar charts, divided bar charts, pie charts, histograms, pictograms
Simple annotated cross-sections
Sketch sections
Tabular presentation of data
Land-use maps
NB: these methods of presentation may be used in the written examination
Thematic Studies
Assessment details
Assessment Objectives
Candidates should develop their knowledge and understanding of:
- AO1 use geographical enquiry skills when developing knowledge and understanding of places, people, patterns and processes, environmental awareness and sustainable development;
- AO2 ask geographical questions and undertake enquiries inside and outside the classroom about places, people and environments;
- AO3 analyse evidence, make decisions and evaluate information, ideas and opinions;
- AO4 use skills specific to geography, including those of fieldwork and map work;
- AO5 draw on many different sources and resources, such as maps and atlases, photographs and written and visual materials, including the use of ICT.