This document provides guidance for geography scholarship candidates. It outlines that candidates require strong literacy, analytical, and time management skills. They must demonstrate competent geographic knowledge, the ability to apply concepts to new contexts, and sophisticated use of geographic ideas. The exam format involves analyzing resource materials to answer open-ended questions requiring critical analysis, discussion, and the inclusion of an original diagram. Candidates are advised to understand exam requirements, practice under timed conditions, and structure answers with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion supported by evidence from the resources. A geography scholarship requires perseverance, resilience, and in-depth practice.

1. Geography Scholarship
Information for Candidates
Jean McCann
Long Bay College

2. Preparation for
Geography Scholarship
What is expected of you.

3. A Geography Scholarship
Candidate
Requires:
• Certain attributes
• Geographic knowledge

4. A Geography Scholarship
Candidate’s Attributes:
A geography scholarship candidate has
• a high level of literacy
– Must be a skilled and confident reader,
– Write fluently using sophisticated language.
• And also has
– analytical skills,
– critical thinking skills
– reflective skills
– evaluation skills
– problem solving skills especially in unfamiliar situations
• good time management skills -in Geo Schol you must
finish the paper.

5. A Geography Scholarship
Candidate’s must be a Skilled
• Must be a confident and competent Geographer
who has the “feel” for Geography.
• Understands geographic ideas, perspectives
and terminology and is able to use them.
• Has the ability to make deductions – can apply
knowledge from one setting to another.
• Has a sophisticated use of Geographic ideas,
concepts and perspectives.

6. The Format of the Exam Paper
• Has a question paper and resource material – 20 pages,
• Has a context or organising theme e.g. Desertification,
• Has settings e.g. case studies,
• Gives clear instructions as to what is required: command
words are in BOLD,
• Asks for illustrated essays - two to three questions which
are open ended,- discuss , critically analyse.
• May ask a diagram question,
• Has space to PLAN.
• Gives a limited space to write answers,

7. How to approach Scholarship
• Understand the meaning of the Performance
Standard Descriptors.
• Understand the explanatory notes
• Understand the Assessment Specifications.
• Understand the command words.
• Plan questions and consider how to best use the
three hours of exam time.
• Practise questions under exam conditions,
answering under a time limitation

8. Answers
A focused brief answer tends to score highly so
– Plan
– Show prior careful analysis.
• The question, the meaning and nuances must
be clearly understood.
• Must be a critical analysis- do NOT write an
outline .
• The question must be answered and must be a
confident answer which
– Integrates facts and ideas.
– Show links which must be logical.

9. Inclusion of a visual
The questions ask for illustrated essays so you
must include diagrams / visuals in your answers
which must be:
• original,
• support the discussion,
• simple to understand,
• add new information or provide a summary,
• be part of the answer – You must refer to it. Must
not be an “add-on”.

10. Evidence from the Resource
Materials
• You must read, understand and process a lot of
resource material before you begin to answer
the questions.
• First analyse the context (issue) to gain an
overview and understanding of the issue.
• Select relevant information using a wide range of
facts from the resource booklet.
• Summarise, analyse, establish links- do NOT
just copy vast lumps.
.

11. Writing
• Sophisticated and elegant language is required.
• Tight control and focus on the question.
• Easy to read,
• Detailed,
• Give statements then supporting evidence,
• Uses quotes,
• Weave ideas and discussion= blend.

12. Discussion
• Deep.
• Critical.
• Detailed using resource material.
• Debate or use arguments.
• Use different approaches.
• Be perceptive.
• View from short and long term scenarios.
• Give Pro’s and Con’s.

13. Critically evaluate
Weigh up evidence, assess validity and then make a
judgement.
• Evidence must be weighed up
– Use a critical eye
– Must be insightful
– Use other perspectives and angles.
• Validity to be assessed
– Discuss and argue both sides before coming to a final
conclusion and judgement.
• Judgements must be made – don’t sit on the fence.
• Must make a case to support or reject the statement.
• Must be a balanced argument.

14. Key Question Command Words
and Terms
• Identify • Consequences
• Critically evaluate • Causes
• Analyse • Interrelationships
• Discuss • Extent
• Discuss and explain • Process
• Justify • Perspectives
• Assess • Interaction
• Context
• Debate
• Factors
• Process
• Insight
• Integrate

15. Construction of Answers
Candidate answers should have structure
• Be well planned,
• Have an Introduction,
• Have a Conclusion,
• Have Paragraphs which clearly show the
main idea,
• Keep to the length indicated.

16. The Introduction
• Must be brief ,
• Must relate to the question,
• Be an overview ,
• Be well focused,
• Have good insight and generalisation.
• Set the scene for the rest of the essay.

17. The Conclusion
• Should be based on evidence presented
in the essay.
• Weighs up the evidence.
• Is well-balanced .
• Shows critical analysis and careful
evaluation.

18. The Diagram Question
• You need to select and process ideas/ facts.
• Must answer the question asked.
• Can use IGI’s and Perspectives BUT these must be
relevant.
• Show links and interactions by the use of arrows,
• Show complexity; show sequence.
• Support statements with evidence from the resources.
• You should have a wide range of options to chose from –
graphs, flow diagrams, visuals, Venn diagrams.
• The diagram should be easy to read even if it shows
complex ideas.

19. Applying info from other settings
• Must choose relevant info – don’ t include
just to impress.
• Do not use in “drop down menu” fashion

20. Perspectives
Examples
• Indigenous
• Local
• Environmentalists - Conservation priority views
– Dark greens to light greens
• Capitalists- Economic priority views
– Government – all levels
– Developers
– Industrialists
• Age
• Gender

21. Perspectives
• Understand how perspectives shape and influence the
views and opinions people and groups have about
events, issues and questions.
• But you must be able to get behind these views and
opinions and discuss why people / groups hold these
views and opinions and the attitude and philosophy that
shaped them.
• Perspectives mentioned must link to the topic
“ incorporate in a discriminatory way”.
• Introduce outside concepts e.g. Maori BUT ONLY
WHERE RELEVANT OR IT IS A DISTRACTOR.
• Use not only the traditional and obvious ones.

22. Giving your own Opinion
• Decide on point of view and argue your
case.
• Use case study examples to back up your
statements.

23. Finally
Scholarship students need
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Deep thinking and profound analysis
• Wide reading on contemporary issues
• Practice, Practice, Practice and more
Practice.