Creating a successful geography essay requires logical thinking skills and subject knowledge; something that most Singapore students find challenging to learn.
We outlined main techniques on how to score A for Geography from our favorite Geography teachers across Singapore:
1. Knowing the structure and specifications of the exam
First of all, you need to get acquainted with the exam type, which involves understanding the layout of the paper and how many marks there are in each segment.
This will help you handle time in the Geography exam; you will plan time more easily for each segment so that you don’t end up wasting too much time on one and end up not completing another.
For O-level Geography, these are the 2 papers:
[ Paper 1 ] – 2 sections of structured questions, 50% of the total score
Section A is a required issue on Regional inquiries focused on the topics of Coastal / Global Tourism. Recommended to spend 55 minutes here with a value of 25 marks.
Section B consists of 2 organized questions on the same topics where you select 1 on them. Recommended to spend 45 minutes here with a value of 25 marks
Total Duration = 1 hour 40 minutes
[ Paper 2 ] – 2 sections of structured questions, 50% of the total score
Section A has 2 questions and you choose 1 of it, the topics are based on Living with Techtronic Hazards / Variable Weather and Changing Climate. Advised to spend 45 minutes here.
Section B has 2 questions and you choose 1 of it, the topics are based on Food Resources / Health and Diseases. Advised to spend 45 minutes here and its worth 25 marks.
Total Duration = 1 hour 30 minutes 2. Customized notes
Many teachers and schools typically have reminders that can be very useful while you’re analyzing your work, but they are usually big stacks of documents, and it’s almost difficult to recall them.
2. It is advised that each secondary school student can draw up their own personalized reports.
You don’t have to be an artist to make notes as to how ‘professional graphics artists do,’ nor do you require an iPad to an Apple pencil to do that. A sheet of paper, a pen, and a highlighter would suffice. You can get some ideas from YouTube that show you how to take notes because much of the time they will print their notes and have good handwriting. As long as you can read it, it doesn’t matter how poor your handwriting is.
Another positive thing about making your own notes is that you can start from anywhere you want and work up the way you want it to the end.
Another advantage of taking your own notes is that you can make it versatile and take a clear look at it at any time or right before you reach the test room.
3. Develop your Language & Argumentative skills
You need to learn how to reason, justify, and debate constructively. Not simply memorize and list everything you think.
Every issue is different, so you need to adapt to the reasons to fit into the essay.
Polish Your English-Look at your grammar and pronunciation. Develop your speech, your diction, your sentence form. You wouldn’t like to miss the markings of a misspelled phrase or a bad pronunciation that has a sense that misleads the inspector. 4. Ask the Geography specialist to help
When you’ve learned what your weak points are and what problems you’re having difficulty with, find someone to help you figure out your questions.
You need time to prepare for your O-level Geography exam and clear up your concerns to help you properly revise while you write notes, too.
