4.0+ASSESSMENT

=**Assessm****ent Objectives**= There are four assessment objectives (AOs) for the SL and HL Diploma Programme geography course. Having followed the course at SL and HL, students will be expected to do the following. **AO1**. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specified content. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Core Theme—Patterns And Change. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Two Optional Themes at SL. In internal assessment, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a specific geographic research topic. **AO2**. Demonstrate application and analysis of knowledge and understanding. Apply and analyse geographic concepts and theories. Identify and interpret geographic patterns and processes in unfamiliar information, data and cartographic material. Demonstrate the extent to which theories and concepts are recognized and understood in particular contexts. **AO3**. Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation. Examine and evaluate geographic concepts, theories and perceptions. Use geographic concepts and examples to formulate and present an argument. Evaluate materials using methodology appropriate for geographic fieldwork. Select, use and apply the prescribed geographic skills in appropriate contexts. Produce well‑structured written material, using appropriate terminology. Select, use and apply techniques and skills appropriate to a geographic research question.
 * Paper 1**
 * Paper 2**
 * Paper 3**
 * Fieldwork**
 * AO4**. Select, use and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques.

=**Classification Of Command Terms**= Key command terms are used in the syllabus content under the development column, as described in the “Structure of the syllabus” section, to indicate the depth of understanding that is required of students. These are classified below according to the assessment objectives of:

AO1 Knowledge and understanding of specified content  AO2 Application and analysis of knowledge and understanding   AO3 Synthesis and evaluation   AO4 Selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and techniques. There is a progression in demand from AO1–AO3, while AO4 terms are specific to particular skills and examination questions. The command terms within each classification are listed in alphabetical order in the following table. Students must also be familiar with these terms to understand the depth of treatment required in examination questions. A command term used in an examination question will either be from the same classification as specified in the development column or a less demanding command term. For example, if the command term in the development column is “explain”, and is classified as AO2, an examination question could contain the command term “explain”. Alternatively, another command term, such as “suggest”, which is also classified as AO2 could be used, or one associated with AO1, such as “describe”. The allocation of marks in examination questions also reflects this classification of the assessment objectives.