gcse history essay questions

History GCSE Past Papers

This section includes recent GCSE History past papers from AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, OCR and the IGCSE from CIE. If you are not sure which exam board you are studying ask your teacher. Past exam papers are a fantastic way to prepare for an exam as you can practise the questions in your own time. You can download each of the exam board's papers by clicking the links below.

• AQA GCSE History Past Papers
• CIE IGCSE History Past Papers
• Edexcel GCSE History Past Papers
• Eduqas GCSE History Past Papers
• OCR GCSE History Past Papers

AQA GCSE History Past Papers

Get ahead in your AQA GCSE History exams with our comprehensive collection of free past papers. Our selection covers all topics and is designed to help you practice and improve your exam performance. With our AQA GCSE History past papers, you can prepare with confidence and achieve success in your exams.

AQA History GCSE (9-1) Past Papers November 2021 (Labelled as June 2021) (8145)

• | Paper 1: Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 1: Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert

AQA History GCSE (9-1) Past Papers November 2020 (Labelled as June 2020) (8145)

• | Paper 1: Section B/E: Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan, 1990-2009 Question Paper Mark Scheme Insert
• | Paper 2: Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 Question Paper Mark Scheme
• | Paper 2: Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 Question Paper Mark Scheme

AQA History GCSE (9-1) Past Papers 2019 (8145)

• | Paper 1: Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality Question Paper Mark Scheme
• | Paper 1: Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. Question Paper Mark Scheme

AQA History GCSE (9-1) Past Papers 2018 (8145)

1-to-1 lessons tailored to aqa gcse history past papers, ➨what is aqa gcse history.

AQA GCSE History is an academic subject that explores the past through the study of various historical events, people, and societies. It is a part of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualification in the UK, offered by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA).

➨What topics are covered in AQA GCSE History?

AQA GCSE History covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: Medicine through Time, Elizabethan England, Germany 1890-1945, The Cold War, The USA 1910-1929, and The Norman Conquest.

➨How can I prepare for AQA GCSE History exams?

The best way to prepare for AQA GCSE History exams is to practice with past papers, review your class notes, and use study guides and textbooks to supplement your learning. You can also join study groups, attend revision classes, and seek help from your teacher or tutor.

➨What are the benefits of studying AQA GCSE History?

Studying AQA GCSE History can help you develop critical thinking skills, analytical skills, research skills, and communication skills. It can also broaden your understanding of the world and its past, and prepare you for further education and career opportunities in fields such as law, journalism, and education.

➨What are the career options for someone who has studied AQA GCSE History?

Studying AQA GCSE History can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including but not limited to: historian, archivist, teacher, journalist, lawyer, civil servant, policy analyst, and museum curator. It can also provide a strong foundation for further education in fields such as history, politics, and international relations.

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GCSE History Essay Techniques

GCSE History essays are difficult. For many students taking GCSE History, how to structure your GCSE History essays and source responses are often the most challenging parts of the course. Learning core facts and remembering key dates for the GCSE History course are relatively straightforward. Analysing and evaluating the importance of various factors, reasons and causes are a lot more difficult and these skills take time to develop.

Below are some templates of how to structure your GCSE History essays and source based questions (N.B. the suggested timings may vary between exam boards, but the structure will remain the same).

What can you learn from source X about…..?

You need to make  two inferences , explained and supported with quotes if a written source or select details if it is a picture. Spend about 6 minutes on this 4 mark question

Describe how…..This is a describe / key features question

You need to make at least two statements that are well supported by own knowledge and presented in separate paragraphs. Say “Firstly….” then “Secondly…” Spend about 8 minutes on this 6 mark question

“Explain the effects of…” This is a consequence question

You need to clearly explain two or more consequences that are set out in separate paragraphs and are supported by well selected and relevant own knowledge. Show links between the consequences for full marks and assess the extent of change. How much of an impact did it have? Spend about 12 minutes on this 8 mark question

“How did X change between….” This is a change or development question.

You need to explain  two or more changes  that developed something or affected something, showing how one led to the other for full marks. You need to support your answer by bringing in your own knowledge and that you put each change in a separate paragraph. It is crucial that in your answer you refer to what the situation was like  before  to make it clear to the examiner that you understand what changed. Spend about 12 minutes on this 8 mark question

For further details about GCSE preparation, GCSE History essays, GCSE mock exams, GCSE Revision Booster courses or private tuition bespoke to your requirements, please contact us .

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GCSE History

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction
• Specification at a glance
• 3.1 Rationale
• 3.2 Understanding the modern world
• 3.3 Shaping the nation
• Scheme of assessment
• General administration

Assessment structure

Paper 1: understanding the modern world.

Question numbers have been updated on the below tables.

This paper tests students’ ability in relation to all the assessment objectives.

It is divided into two equally weighted sections, A and B.

Section A: Period studies

In Section A, questions 1–6 assess the specified content for the wider world period study. In each series all three parts of the specified content will be tested.

Questions 1, 2, and 3 test AO4. They are based on two written interpretations of around 50–100 words with an accompanying ascription. They test, in turn, how interpretations differ, why interpretations differ and evaluate interpretations in the context of historical events from either Parts one, two or three or a core development that covers more than one part of the specified content. These interpretations do not require an understanding of historiography.

Question 4 requires a description of two key features or characteristics of the period studied and targets AO1 knowledge and understanding. The focus will arise from Part one, two or three of the specified content.

Question 5 tests the second order concept of change (AO2) and requires supporting knowledge and understanding (AO1). The question will ask students to explain how a group or development was affected by a key event or development. The focus will arise from Part one, two or three of the specified content.

Question 6 requires knowledge, understanding and analysis of historical events utilising second order historical concepts (AO1 and AO2) and is based around two identified aspects. It will target: causation, consequence, change and/or continuity. The question will be an essay requiring a judgement. It will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to write an extended response following a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. The focus will arise from Part one, two or three or a central development that covers more than one part of the specified content.

Section B: Wider world depth studies

In Section B, the questions assess the specified content for the wider world depth study. In each series all three parts of the specified content will be tested.

Each depth study has four questions.

The first and second questions test AO3 and require the analysis and evaluation of sources. One source is supplied for the first question and two sources for the second. Different types of sources will be used, including visual and written sources. The focus of the sources will arise from Part one, two or three of the specified content.

The third question tests AO1 and AO2. It is a narrative account, which uses knowledge, understanding and analysis of the second order concepts of cause and/or consequence. The focus will arise from Part one, two or three of the specified content.

The fourth question tests AO1 and AO2. It requires knowledge, understanding and analysis of historical events utilising any of the second order historical concepts. This will be an essay question requiring a judgement. It is an extended response which will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. Marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) will also be available. The focus will arise from Part one, two or three or may cover more than one part of the specified content.

Paper 2: Shaping the nation

Thematic studies, column 2, row 3: question wording updated.

British depth studies: question numbers updated.

Section A: Thematic studies

In Section A, questions 1–4 assess the specified content for the British thematic study. In each series all four parts of the specified content will be tested.

Question 1 tests the utility of a source (AO3). The source will either be visual eg cartoons, or written eg diary extracts. Students will need to use the content, provenance and their contextual knowledge in order to evaluate the usefulness of the source. It will target a key event, development, individual or group from Part one, two, three or four of the option content.

Question 2 tests AO1 and AO2. It requires knowledge, understanding and analysis of historical events and specifically assesses the second order concept of significance. Significance looks at the importance of a key event, person/group or development at the time and importance over time. The focus of the question will arise from Part one, two, three or four of the specified content.

Question 3 will ask students to compare two key events, developments or the role of individuals or groups. It tests the second order concepts of similarity and/or difference. The focus may target Part one, two, three or four or a combination of two parts of the specified content.

Question 4 tests AO1 and AO2. It requires knowledge, understanding and analysis of historical events and developments over time. It draws on second order concepts of cause, consequence and/or change. It will ask students to evaluate one stated factor against other factors. Factors could include war, religion, chance, government, communication, science and technology or the role of an individual. This will be an essay question requiring a judgement. It is an extended response which will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. Marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) will also be available. The question will target all four parts of the specified content.

Section B: British depth studies including the historic environment

In Section B, the remaining questions assess the specified content for the British depth study, incorporating the study of the historic environment. In each series all four parts of the specified content will be tested.

There are four questions in this section.

The first question tests AO4. It requires the evaluation of one visual or written interpretation drawing upon contextual knowledge of a key event, development, group or individual for Part one, two or three of specified content.

The second question will test AO1 and AO2. It will require knowledge, understanding and analysis of historical events, issues or developments and draws on second order concepts of causation, change, continuity and/or consequence. The question will arise from Part one, two or three of specified content.

The third question tests AO1 and AO2. It is a narrative account, which tests knowledge, understanding and analysis of the second order concepts of cause, change, continuity and/or consequence. The question will arise from Part one, two or three of specified content.

The final question tests AO1 and AO2 and is based upon knowledge, understanding and analysis of the historic environment and in particular its relationship with wider events/developments. It will be an essay question requiring a judgement and will draw on second order concepts of change, continuity, cause and/or consequence. This question is intended to be an extended response enabling students to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) will be assessed against the following criteria:

GCSE History

In the History section we cover 5 areas. These are: The Treaty of Versailles, The League of Nations, The Weimar, Nazi Germany and The Cold War. We have provided a variety of practice questions which have an essay plan to show you what you should include. We also have a small section of GCSE history revision guides.

GCSE History topics

The following topics are available for GCSE History

Nazi Germany

The Cold War

The League of Nations

The Treaty of Versailles

GCSE History revision guides

We also offer a selection of GCSE History revision guides provided by amazon.co.uk

WJEC GCSE History Past Papers

A complete collection of wjec gcse history past papers. perfect for preparation for upcoming exams. can be used at home for individual learning or within a classroom environment., gcse examination booklets.

Download our comprehensive practice exam booklets covering every GCSE topic and examination board (2020 & 2021 Syllabus), produced by a highly experienced AQA and OCR marker. These are fully sourced and aligned to the respective boards mark scheme.