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EnglandHistory

Exam skills

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you answer the Edexcel interpretation questions on Paper 3?

Working with interpretations in Edexcel GCSE History: identifying the main difference between two interpretations, suggesting why they differ, and evaluating how far you agree with one interpretation in the 16-mark essay.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History interpretation questions on Paper 3, covering how to identify the main difference between two interpretations, suggest why they differ (using provenance and emphasis), and evaluate how far you agree with one interpretation in the 16-mark essay.
12 min answer →

How do you judge how useful a source is, and make inferences, in Edexcel GCSE History?

Analysing sources in Edexcel GCSE History: making inferences from a source, judging the usefulness of one or more sources for a stated enquiry using content and provenance (nature, origin and purpose), and applying contextual knowledge.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History source questions, covering how to make inferences from a source, and how to weigh content against provenance (nature, origin and purpose) and use contextual knowledge to judge the usefulness of sources for a stated enquiry.
12 min answer →

How do you plan and write a top-band 16-mark essay in Edexcel GCSE History?

Planning and writing the 16-mark 'How far do you agree' essay across the Edexcel papers, building a balanced, well-supported argument and judgement, and earning the spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History 16-mark essay, explaining how to plan and write a balanced 'How far do you agree' answer with a clear argument and judgement, how to use evidence and stimulus points, and how to earn the SPaG marks.
12 min answer →

How are the three Edexcel GCSE History papers structured, and what does each question reward?

The structure of the three Edexcel GCSE History papers, the fixed question stems on each paper (Describe two features, Explain why, the 16-mark essays, the source and interpretation questions), and how to manage timing and marks.
A focused answer to the structure of the three Edexcel GCSE History papers, explaining the fixed question stems on each paper (Describe two features, Explain why, the 16-mark essays, and the source and interpretation questions), their mark tariffs, and how to manage timing.
12 min answer →