OCR A-Level Geography Past Papers & Mark Schemes

OCR A-Level Geography (H481) is structured around three distinct papers that progressively build from physical and human geography foundations to synoptic geographical debates. Each paper includes a resource booklet containing maps, data, photographs, and case study material that students must interpret alongside their own knowledge. Paper 1: Physical Systems (H481/01, 1 hour 30 minutes, 66 marks, 22%) examines landscape systems and Earth's life support systems. The landscape systems section covers one of three options — coastal landscapes, glaciated landscapes, or dryland landscapes — requiring detailed understanding of geomorphological processes, landforms, and management strategies. Earth's life support systems covers the water cycle and the carbon cycle at global and local scales, including their significance for human activity and climate change. Paper 2: Human Interactions (H481/02, 1 hour 30 minutes, 66 marks, 22%) examines changing spaces; making places and global connections; global systems and governance. The first section explores how places change and how communities shape and are shaped by their environments — including regeneration, place identity, and lived experience. The second section examines globalisation, international trade, global governance, and migration as interconnected systems. Paper 3: Geographical Debates (H481/03, 2 hours 30 minutes, 108 marks, 36%) requires students to choose two from five debate topics: Climate change; Disease dilemmas; Exploring oceans; Future of food; or Hazardous Earth. Each debate is examined through a resource booklet and requires essay-length responses that draw on physical and human geography, statistics, and evaluative skills. Component 4: Investigative Geography (NEA, 60 marks, 20%) is a 3,000–4,000 word independent investigation based on primary data collection in the field.