A Clear Strategy for the Final Stretch Of Revision
- berniceloon
- Sep 21
- 4 min read
The examination season is just around the corner. Revision timetables are packed, expectations are rising, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone.
But let me be very clear: succeeding in Geography is not about squeezing more facts into your head. It is about thinking geographically, structuring your answers according to the requirements, and applying what you know adequately.
Whether you are preparing for the O-Level (2279 or 2260) or N-Level (2246 or 2125) examinations, this article is written to help you organise your learning and sharpen your strategies during these crucial final weeks.
Ask yourself these questions as you revise the content
Geography is not a subject of isolated facts. It is a way of seeing the world. Thinking geographically means asking better questions, making connections, and understanding how human and natural systems interact at different scales.
Ask yourself:
What are the causes and consequences of this geographical phenomenon?
How do natural and human factors shape each other in this case?
How does this issue relate to Singapore’s vulnerabilities or goals for sustainable development?
📌 Example:
Instead of just stating that “people experience a sense of place,” try asking yourself
"How do national events or urban features shape a resident’s emotional attachment to their neighbourhood?"
This helps you evaluate how large-scale activities (like the National Day Parade or neighbourhood redevelopment) influence identity, pride, or even exclusion in urban spaces.
If you have access to the specimen papers, you can practice this thought process with the structured question about residents watching Olympic fireworks from a poor neighbourhood. A well-developed answer would explore how such events can either uplift a sense of belonging or remind residents of social inequality, depending on their access or visibility.
This line of questioning turns a surface-level observation into a deeper geographical understanding of place, power, and lived experience, which is central to GEL.
Understand the Types of Questions and How to Approach Them
Examiners are not looking for lengthy paragraphs. They are looking for relevance, clarity, and alignment with the question’s demands.
A. Structured Questions (1 to 6 marks)
Use this 3-step method:
Step 1: Understand the Command Word
Be precise. “Describe” is not the same as “Explain.” “Compare” requires you to show both similarities and differences, not just list them separately.
Do refer to the official syllabus to identify the question command words, or ask your subject teacher for the consolidated list.
Step 2: Plan Based on the Mark Allocation
For structured questions, markers typically award 1 mark per valid point of description or explanation.
An additional mark for further development of the point. In order to provide further development, consider using specific examples, processes or consequences to add depth.
Step 3: Link Back to the Question
Underline the question demand. Before ending your sentence, ask "Have I clearly answered what was asked?"
B. Level Descriptor Questions (LDQs)
To score well, you must show balanced reasoning, well-developed evaluation, and a clear stand.
Use this framework:
Step 1: Dissect the Question
What are the two perspectives or factors?
What concept underpins this question? (e.g., sustainability, time scale, scale of impact, )
Step 2: Plan Body Paragraphs
One paragraph for each perspective
Use the PEEL structure: Point, Explanation, Evidence, Link
Step 3: Conclude with a Justified Stand
State your conclusion (i.e. I agree to a large/ small extent)
Justify it using a geographical concept
Ensure your conclusion aligns with the arguments you made
📌 Example:
If the question is about "to what extent is building sea walls the most important strategy to manage sea level rise in Singapore?", you must explore other strategies too, such as rain gardens, integrated drainage, and policy-level approaches.
Revisit Geographical Investigation (GI) with Purpose
Don’t just memorise investigation steps. Show understanding of how each step contributes to reliability, accuracy, and validity.
Quick Reminders:
Always identify the aim of the investigation before answering.
Use the 5W1H approach: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Link every method to reliability or accurate representation of data.
📌 Example:
“Students collected data from three gates at the Singapore Botanic Gardens over multiple days.”
Say: “This increases the representation of different visitor profiles, making the data more reliable and the conclusion more valid.”
Manage Your Mindset During the Final Weeks
A calm, focused mind is your most powerful asset. You already know more than you think.
Exam Room Reminders:
Answer the number of points needed. Don’t write beyond the mark allocation.
Watch your time. Allocate more time to higher-mark questions (i.e. LDQ).
If you blank out, skip and return later. Do not panic.
Stay grounded. Every well-structured answer you write is a reflection of the habits you’ve built over time.
All the best!
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If you want to master essential skills, learn clear strategies, and gain confidence for your exams, consider this guidebook. I have distilled over a decade of teaching experience into practical advice tailored just for you.
You may also click on https://www.thatgeographyteacher.com/category/all-products to read about how you can use this guidebook effectively to enhance your learning of Geography.
For additional support to enhance your learning, head to
You’ll find sample answers to both the 2024 O and N-Level national exams. These are ideal for applying the techniques taught in Chapter 2, especially for understanding what a top-band LDQ or well-scaffolded structured answer looks like in reality. You can attempt the questions using the frameworks in the guidebook, then compare against the samples to learn from real answers.
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