Introduction to the AQA GCSE Geography Pre-Release 2026

What Is the Pre-Release?

The AQA GCSE Geography Pre-Release 2026 is a set of materials published in advance of the GCSE examinations to support students with Paper 3: Section A. It provides a real-world geographical issue or theme that forms the basis for source-based questions in the exam.

Students will study the pre-release topic before the exam and will use this knowledge to analyse, evaluate and interpret information under timed conditions.

What the Pre-Release Includes

Each year, AQA releases a six-page booklet containing:

• Three figures of content (for example, texts, graphs, maps, or tables)
• Case study details
• Data and perspectives relevant to a contemporary geographical issue

The figures are carefully designed to reflect different types of sources that might be used in Paper 3 — such as statistical data, written accounts, and visual information.

Purpose of the Pre-Release

The pre-release is central to assessing higher-order geographical skills. It’s not a set of notes to memorise, but rather a tool for thinking geographically.

Students are expected to:

• Interpret and analyse real data and sources
• Compare viewpoints and evidence
• Evaluate geographical arguments
• Apply knowledge from the compulsory topics in the specification

This approach mirrors the skills needed in GCSE assessments and, more importantly, in real-world geography.

How the Pre-Release Is Used in the Exam

In the summer GCSE series, students will sit Paper 3, which includes:

• Section A: Questions based on the pre-release
• Questions that require students to use the figures to:
  • Identify patterns and trends
  • Explain causes and consequences
  • Assess different perspectives
  • Reach justified conclusions

The section will be worth 37 marks, and students are assessed on Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) as part of the marking criteria.

When do I get the pre-release?

AQA traditionally publishes the pre-release several weeks before the Paper 3 exam. Schools and centres receive the document on a defined date, allowing students time to:

• Study the content
• Create their own notes and summaries
• Practise answering pre-release style questions
• Discuss key ideas with teachers and peers
• This preparation time is crucial for building confidence and exam technique.

How to Study the Pre-Release Effectively

Simply reading the document once won’t be enough; active revision techniques work far better.

Here’s how to make the most of your study time:

1. Break Down Each Figure

   Analyse what each figure is telling you:

   • What type of data is presented?
   • Are there trends or patterns?
   • What might explain these patterns?

2. Identify Key Concepts and Terms

   Make sure you understand:

   • Geographical terms in the figures
   • Concepts from the specification that connect to the issue

3. Build Revision Resources

   Try creating:

   • Mind maps of the main ideas
   • Flashcards for key terms and perspectives
   • Summary sheets linking figures to specification content

4. Practice Source-Based Questions

   Use past pre-release questions to practise:

   • Interpreting data
   • Writing clear explanations
   • Evaluating different viewpoints

What Teachers and Students Should Focus On

The pre-release is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how geography works in the real world.

Teachers can:

• Guide discussions around the figures
• Connect the pre-release themes to the specification topics
• Help students practise exam-style responses

Students should aim to:

• Think critically about evidence
• Justify their arguments with both data and geographical theory
• Reflect on how different stakeholders view the issue

Final Tips for Success

• Don’t memorise the pre-release word- for-word. Focus on understanding it
• Connect the figures to real places, people, processes and patterns
• Practise writing clear, well-structured answers
• Ask “why?” and “so what?” when you study each figure