This document outlines the criteria for a Geo Scholarship assessment. It will assess a student's ability to critically analyze a geographic context using their geographic knowledge. For a Scholarship, students must demonstrate high-level analysis, integration of knowledge, and logical, clear ideas. For an Outstanding Scholarship, a student must also show perception, sophisticated integration of ideas, independent reflection, and convincing communication. The assessment will provide resources about a geographic context and students will answer questions demonstrating their understanding of geographic methods and perspectives.

1. Geo Scholarship
2013
What Where and How

2.  Outcome Description
 The student will use knowledge of geography to critically analyse
a geographic context.

 Scholarship Performance Descriptor
 The student will demonstrate aspects of high level:
 analysis and critical thinking
 integration, synthesis, and application of highly developed
knowledge, skills, and understanding to complex situations
 logical development, precision and clarity of ideas.

 Outstanding Performance Descriptor
 In addition to the requirements for Scholarship, the student will
also demonstrate, in a sustained manner, aspects of:
 perception and insight
 sophisticated integration and abstraction
 independent reflection and extrapolation
 convincing communication.

3.  Subject specific definitions:
 Knowledge of geography includes an understanding of
interactions between people and the environment, and
spatial components in a geographic context. This
includes facts, concepts and geographic skills.
 A geographic context is an organising theme supported
by resources, which will allow students to demonstrate
an understanding of the holistic nature of geographic
study.
 Integration, synthesis and application of highly
developed knowledge, skills and understanding to
complex situations involve incorporating a range of
different ideas and perspectives to present a supported
argument.

4.  Logical development, precision and clarity of
ideas incorporate evidence in a well-written
manner. Written answers are enhanced by
relevant, original and effective visuals.
 Perception and insight involves interpreting
the information provided in creative and
meaningful ways and with geographic
understanding.
 Sophisticated integration and abstraction
involves incorporating in the argument a wide
range of information, ideas and perspectives
from both material provided and beyond.

5.  Independent reflection and extrapolation
involves making judgements about a
geographic context and considering possible
consequences.
 Convincing communication means developing
a fully integrated, fluent discussion and
argument in relation to a geographic context.

6. WHY ?

7. Format of the assessment
 The examination will be resource-based.
 A geographic context, including place settings and
geographic theme(s), will be selected for geographic
analysis. A range of resource materials (such as maps,
text, photographs, models, graphs, tables, cartoons, and
other visuals) related to the context will be provided.
These will allow candidates to become familiar with the
settings and theme(s).
 Candidates will be required to complete question(s) that
involve selecting, extracting, analysing, processing,
predicting, justifying, and presenting information.
Candidates will be required to include relevant original
visuals that will enhance their answer(s).

8. Format of the assessment
 Candidates will be expected to demonstrate
understanding of a range of geographic methods and
perspectives and to use their geographic knowledge,
skills, ideas, and understanding to support their
answer(s).
 The content specified in NCEA Level 3 Geography
Achievement Standards will not be specifically
assessed.
 Candidates should use coloured pencils in their
diagrams / maps. Annotations on these diagrams /
maps must be in pen. Any work done in pencil will not
be eligible for reconsideration.

9.  Past paper is HERE