Drainage Basin Hydrological Cycle
The water balance equation for a catchment.
Water balance
Q = P − E − T − S Where
Q = runoff/discharge · P = precipitation · E = evaporation · T = transpiration · S = change in storage AQA A Level Geography 7037
🌍 AQA A Level Geography Formula Sheet 2026
All the formulas, frameworks, and statistical tests for AQA A Level Geography — Physical (water, carbon, coasts, hazards, ecosystems), Human (global systems, places, urban, population), Spearman's rank, chi-squared, Mann-Whitney, Lorenz/Gini, and NEA technique.
Physical Frameworks Human Geography Models Statistical Tests NEA Investigation
Our formula sheets are free to download — save this one as PDF for offline revision.
Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.
All the Core AQA A Level Geography Formulas in One Sheet
AQA A Level Geography (7037) tests three things: applied frameworks across physical and human topics, mastery of statistical and qualitative skills, and an independent NEA. This formula sheet brings together every equation, model, and statistical test you need for Paper 1, Paper 2, and the Investigation.
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Physical Geography frameworks (water/carbon cycles, coasts, hazards, ecosystems, glaciation)
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Human Geography models (global systems, places, urban, population, resource security)
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Statistical tests with full formulas (Spearman's, chi-squared, Mann-Whitney, Lorenz/Gini)
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NEA Independent Investigation guidance (3,000–4,000 words)
Physical Geography — Water & Carbon Cycles
Paper 1 core topic — know stores, fluxes, the drainage basin equation, and feedback loops.
Flood Hydrograph
Shows discharge response to a rainfall event.
Lag time
Time between peak rainfall and peak discharge Short lag + steep rising limb = flashy hydrograph (urbanised, impermeable, steep) · Long lag + gentle limb = subdued (permeable, vegetated, gentle gradient) Carbon Cycle
Stores, fluxes, and sequestration.
Stores
Atmosphere · Hydrosphere (oceans) · Lithosphere (rocks, fossil fuels) · Biosphere (plants, soils) Fluxes
Photosynthesis · respiration · combustion · decomposition · weathering · ocean–atmosphere exchange Carbon sequestration = long-term capture and storage (forests, oceans, geological).
Climate Change Feedback Loops
Positive feedback
Ice-albedo feedback · permafrost methane release · forest dieback (amplifies warming) Negative feedback
Increased plant growth from higher CO₂ · cloud cover increase (dampens warming) Physical Geography — Coasts, Hazards, Ecosystems & Glaciation
Choose 2 of 3 optional topics; coverage of every major framework here.
Coastal Systems
Wave types
Constructive (low frequency, strong swash, deposition) · Destructive (high frequency, strong backwash, erosion) Longshore drift
Swash at angle of prevailing wind → backwash perpendicular → net sediment transport along coast Erosional landforms
Headlands & bays · cliffs · wave-cut platforms · caves → arches → stacks → stumps Depositional landforms
Beaches · spits · bars · tombolos · salt marshes Coastal management: hard engineering (sea walls, groynes, rip-rap) vs soft (beach nourishment, managed retreat, dune regeneration).
Hazards — Plate Tectonics & Risk
Plate boundaries
Constructive (divergent) · Destructive (convergent — oceanic-continental, oceanic-oceanic, continental-continental) · Conservative (transform) Hazard equation
Risk = (Hazard × Vulnerability) ÷ Capacity to cope Park's hazard response model
Pre-disaster → relief → rehabilitation → reconstruction · Curve shows quality of life dip and recovery trajectory Ecosystems
Components
Biotic (living) + abiotic (climate, soil, water, relief) interact in feedback loops Succession
Pioneer → seral stages → climax community · Primary (bare ground) vs secondary (after disturbance) Biome characteristics: latitude → climate → vegetation → soils form a coherent system.
Glaciation & Periglaciation
Mass balance
Accumulation (snow input) − Ablation (melt + sublimation + calving) · Positive = glacier advances · Negative = retreats Periglacial features
Permafrost · solifluction · pingos · patterned ground · ice wedges Human Geography — Global Systems, Places & Urban
Paper 2 core content — know the models and apply them with named examples.
Global Systems & Governance
Globalisation drivers
Trade · MNCs · technology · transport · finance · migration Trade vs aid debate · Antarctica governance (Antarctic Treaty System) · global commons Changing Places
Placemaking · identity · sense of place · lived experience · representations (formal vs informal) Use qualitative methods — interviews, photographs, oral histories, media analysis — alongside quantitative data.
Contemporary Urban Environments
Burgess concentric model (1925)
CBD → transition zone → working-class housing → middle-class → commuter zone Hoyt sector model (1939)
Sectors radiate from CBD along transport routes — refines Burgess for industrial cities Gentrification · sustainability (compact cities, green infrastructure) · megacities (>10m pop) and challenges of informal housing Population & Environment
DTM 5 stages
1 High stationary · 2 Early expanding · 3 Late expanding · 4 Low stationary · 5 Declining Dependency ratio
((<15 + 65+) ÷ 15–64) × 100 Age-sex pyramid
Wide base = youthful population (Stage 2) · narrow base + bulge above = ageing (Stage 4–5) Migration: push-pull · Lee's model · economic vs forced Resource Security
Energy security framework: availability + accessibility + affordability + reliability Water security: physical scarcity vs economic scarcity · Falkenmark stress index Food security: availability, access, utilisation, stability (FAO four pillars) Statistical Skills — Quantitative Tests
These appear in Paper 1, Paper 2, and the NEA — memorise the formulas and the decision rules.
Spearman's Rank Correlation
Tests strength of relationship between two ranked variables.
Formula
rs = 1 − (6 Σd² ÷ n(n² − 1)) Where
d = difference between paired ranks · n = number of pairs Interpretation
+1 perfect positive · 0 no correlation · −1 perfect negative · check critical values table at 95% / 99% confidence Chi-Squared (χ²) Test
Tests whether observed frequencies differ significantly from expected.
Formula
χ² = Σ ((O − E)² ÷ E) Degrees of freedom
df = (rows − 1) × (columns − 1) Decision
Compare calculated χ² to critical value · if calculated > critical at chosen significance, reject null hypothesis Mann-Whitney U Test
Non-parametric test comparing two independent samples.
Formula
U = n₁n₂ + (n₁(n₁+1) ÷ 2) − R₁ · also calculate U' = n₁n₂ − U · use smaller value Where
n₁, n₂ = sample sizes · R₁ = sum of ranks for sample 1 Compare smaller U to critical value — if smaller, reject null hypothesis (samples differ).
Student's t-test
Parametric test comparing two means (assumes normal distribution).
t = (mean₁ − mean₂) ÷ √(s₁²/n₁ + s₂²/n₂) df
n₁ + n₂ − 2 (independent samples) Lorenz Curve & Gini Coefficient
Measure inequality (income, resources).
Lorenz curve
Cumulative % of population (x) vs cumulative % of variable (y) · 45° line = perfect equality Gini coefficient
G = Area between curve and 45° line ÷ total area below 45° line · 0 = perfect equality · 1 = perfect inequality Location Quotient & Indices
Location quotient
LQ = (% local employment in industry) ÷ (% national employment in industry) · LQ > 1 = local concentration Other indices: Human Development Index (HDI), Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Environmental Performance Index (EPI) Qualitative Skills
Don't neglect qualitative — Changing Places and the NEA both reward strong qualitative analysis.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews · oral histories · participant observation · photo-elicitation · text/media analysis · field sketches Analysis Approaches
Thematic coding · discourse analysis · narrative analysis · representation analysis (formal vs informal) Triangulate qualitative with quantitative for the strongest NEA conclusions.
Exam Technique & NEA
AQA Geography assessment structure and how to maximise marks on each paper.
Paper 1 — Physical Geography
2h 30m · 120 marks · 40% of A Level · sections on Water & Carbon (compulsory) + one of Hot Deserts/Coastal/Glacial + one of Hazards/Ecosystems Mix of short answer + 6/9/20-mark essay-style — apply frameworks with named case studies.
Paper 2 — Human Geography
2h 30m · 120 marks · 40% of A Level · sections on Global Systems & Governance + Changing Places + one of Contemporary Urban / Population & Environment / Resource Security NEA — Independent Investigation
3,000–4,000 words · 60 marks · 20% of A Level · question + planning + primary data + analysis (statistical + qualitative) + conclusion + evaluation Choose a question testable with a clear hypothesis and accessible primary data — NEA marks reward methodological rigour over exotic topics.
Essay-Style Answers (20-mark)
Intro: define + thesis · 3 PEEL paragraphs with named examples + data · counterargument · conclusion with weighted judgement AO3 (skills/analysis) is heavily rewarded — always interpret data, don't just describe.
How to Use This Formula Sheet
Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.
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Drill the Statistical Tests
Spearman's, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney appear in every NEA and frequently in Paper 1/2. Practise each test by hand with a worked dataset until the formula is automatic.
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Build a Case Study Bank
For every topic, hold 2–3 named examples (one HIC, one LIC, one local). Specific facts, dates, and figures lift answers from B to A*.
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Use Frameworks, Don't Just Describe
Burgess, Hoyt, DTM, Park's model, the hazard equation — examiners reward applying named frameworks to data, not narrative description of places.
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Plan Your NEA Early
The NEA is 20% of your A Level. Choose your question by the end of Year 12, collect primary data over summer, and leave Year 13 for analysis and writing.
Formula Sheet FAQ
Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.
Is the AQA A Level Geography Formula Sheet 2026 free to download as a PDF?
Yes. This Tutopiya formula sheet is free to use and you can download it as a PDF from this page for offline revision. There is no payment or account required for the PDF download.
What Geography topics and equations does this formula sheet cover?
This page groups key Geography formulas in one place for revision. Master AQA A Level Geography (7037) with this 2026 formula sheet. Covers Physical Geography (water/carbon cycles, coasts, hazards), Human Geography (global systems, places, urban, population), statistical skills (Spea… Always cross-check with your official syllabus and past papers for your exam session.
Can I use this instead of the official exam formula booklet in the exam?
No. In the exam you must follow only what your exam board allows in the hall—usually the official formula booklet or data sheet where provided. This page is a revision and teaching aid, not a replacement for board-issued materials.
Who is this formula sheet for (Post-Secondary)?
It is written for students preparing for assessments at Post-Secondary in Geography, including classroom revision, homework support, and independent study. Teachers and tutors can also share it as a quick reference.
How should I revise with this formula sheet?
Work through past paper questions, quote the correct formula before substituting values, and check units and notation every time. Pair this sheet with timed practice and mark schemes so you see how examiners expect working to be set out.
Where can I get more help with Geography revision?
Explore Tutopiya’s study tools, past paper finder, and revision checklists linked from our tools hub, or book a trial lesson with a subject specialist for personalised support alongside this formula reference.
Need Help with AQA A Level Geography?
Work through physical frameworks, human models, statistical tests, and NEA planning with an experienced AQA A Level Geography tutor. We focus on applied technique, named case studies, and high-band analysis.
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This formula sheet aligns with AQA A Level Geography (7037) syllabus content for 2026.
Always interpret statistical results in geographical context — significance tests are tools, not conclusions.