How to Succeed in your Junior Cycle Geography CBA

Choosing your CBA topics

For both CBAs, you must choose a topic. Both CBAs will require reflection, an important part of the process. So, you should pick topics you find interesting and engaging. That will make the reflection stage immensely easier. If you've a natural interest in the topic, the reflection will come to you more naturally too! Why not ask a family member about geographical events they recall from their lives? Or maybe consider your local area, are there geographical events that have impacted your own surroundings?

Play to your strengths when picking a format!

For the first CBA, researching a real-life geographical event, you have the freedom to pick your format. You can do a written, visual, digital, or audio format, the choice is yours! When deciding which one to go with, think about the strengths and skills you may have for some of these formats. If technology is your thing, consider a digital CBA format. If you have a creative flair, maybe try a visual CBA. Play to your strengths in making this formatting decision.

Who, what, where, when and why?

When you're researching your chosen topic for your CBA, it can be very hard to know where to begin! Why not use the 'who, what, where, when and why' method to guide your research? Let these questions guide your research proccess. They will keep it focused and relevant to the topic you've chosen. Track and record your research with these question starters as headings and note the information under them as you gather it. This structure will make your life A LOT easier completing these CBAs!

Keep your aims in mind

When carrying out the work and research for the CBAs, being aware of your project's aims is key! Your aims are questions you're looking to find answers for whilst doing your CBA. These aims will keep your project focused and will lead to a clearer final product! As you work through them, remember to stop and ask yourself, "Am I addressing my aims?". Answering these aims efficiently will give you a good shot at a higher descriptor.

Practice presenting

When all your research is complete and brought together in response, no matter what format you have chosen, you will have to present your response to your class. This can be a hard step in the process for some people, presenting in front of your classmates. Remember, practise makes it so much easier! Be as familiar as possible with your own, authentic work. Why not try presenting to family first as a dry run? Above all, remember to breathe and know you're not the only one who may be slightly nervous!

Preparing for the written assessment task

After completing your second CBA, you'll undertake a written assessment task during geography class. This will be sent off to the State Exams Commission as part of your geography exam, making up 10% of your final state-exam grade. This assessment gives you the chance to reflect on what you've learned and how you learned it. Think about how your geographical knowledge has evolved? What skills have you developed and applied in this CBA? How has your perspective of geography changed through the process? Has the CBA process impacted your values and attitudes? Reflection is a skill for life!

To read Marian's full CBA guide, which gives you a full step-by-step guide filled with tips for some inspiration, click on the attachment below!

If you're looking for tips for the Geography exam, check out our 'How to get a Distinction in Junior Cycle Geography' here.