Changes to Pearson Edexcel AS/A level History specifications

This document summarises changes made to the AS and A level specifications and
sample assessment materials from the drafts made available in June 2014 to the final
accredited specifications and assessment materials made available in September
2014.

There are no changes to the overall structure or to the specified content of any topics for either
AS or A level History.

For both AS and A level, there are some changes to the sample assessment materials, and for A
level there are some changes to the coursework. The A level changes are detailed below,
followed by the AS changes.

A level assessment changes

1. Some wording changes have been made to one or two levels in the following mark
schemes:

Draft SAMs Accredited SAMs

Paper 1 Section C Contextual knowledge is limited
(AO3) and presented as information,
Level 1 rather than being linked with the
Second bullet point extracts.
Paper 1 Section C Demonstrates understanding of
(AO3) the extracts by selecting and
Level 3 explaining some key points of
First bullet point interpretation they contain and
indicating differences.
Paper 2 Section A Contextual knowledge is limited
(AO2) and presented as information
Level 1 rather than applied to the source
Third bullet point material.
Paper 3 Section A • Simple or generalised
(AO2) statements are made about
Level 1 the topic.
• Some accurate and relevant
knowledge is included, but it
lacks range and depth and
does not directly address the
question.
• The overall judgement is
missing or asserted.
• There is little, if any, evidence
of attempts to structure the
answer and answer overall
lacks coherence and precision.
Some relevant contextual
knowledge is included, with limited
linkage to the extracts.
Demonstrates understanding of the
extracts and shows some analysis
by selecting and explaining some
key points of interpretation they
contain and indicating differences.
Some relevant contextual
knowledge is included, with limited
linkage to the source material.
• Demonstrates surface level
comprehension of the source
material without analysis,
selecting some material
relevant to the question, but in
the form of direct quotations or
paraphrases.
• Some relevant contextual
knowledge is included, with
limited linkage to the source
material.
• Evaluation of the source
material is assertive with little
or no supporting evidence.
Concepts of reliability or utility
may be addressed, but by
making stereotypical
judgements.

2. Aside from these general changes to mark schemes, most questions remain unchanged.
The only topic-specific change for A level is in Paper 3 Option 3A, Section 3 – Question 5
has been changed to avoid similarity in focus with Question 4.

Page 1 of 13
Coursework
3. The coursework now targets both AO1 and AO3 (not just AO3, as previously). The focus
of the task is unchanged, but the AO1 marks recognise the skills of organisation and
communication that are deployed in a piece of extended writing of this length. An AO1
bullet point has been added within each level of the mark scheme.

4. The guidance on students choosing works, ensuring independence and the teacher’s role
has been amended.

Revised coursework pages, with changes highlighted in green, are given in Appendix 1 below.

AS assessment changes

5. A number of Paper 1 and Paper 2 AS essay questions previously included an

introductory sentence to make a date in the question explicit. These have been removed
in the following cases:
• Paper 1, Option A, question 2 and question 4
• Paper 1, Option B, question 1 and question 2
• Paper 1, Option D, question 3 and question 4
• Paper 1, Option F, question 4
• Paper 1, Option H, question 1
In instances where the question refers to a date which is not explicitly indicated in the
specification, introductory sentences have been retained.

6. The wording of the AS Paper 1 Section C interpretations question has been

amended to make clear the AO3 focus.

Draft SAMs example Accredited SAMs example

How far do you agree with the view that,
during the last 10 years of Elizabeth's
reign, the demands of war brought real
suffering for her subjects?
To explain your answer, analyse and
evaluate the material in both extracts,
using your own knowledge of the issues.
Historians have different views about whether
there was a general crisis of government in the
last years of Elizabeth I’s reign. Analyse and
evaluate the extracts and use your knowledge
of the issues to explain your answer to the
following question.
How far do you agree with the view that, during
the last 10 years of Elizabeth's reign, the
demands of war brought real suffering for her
subjects?

7. The sentence introducing each extract with a summary of the view for AS Paper 1
Section C has been removed across all options.

Page 2 of 13
 8. Some wording changes have been made to one or two levels in the following mark
schemes:

Draft SAMs Accredited SAMs

Paper 1 Section C Contextual knowledge is limited
(AO3) and presented as information,
Level 1 rather than being linked with the
Second bullet point extracts.
Paper 1 Section C Demonstrates understanding of
(AO3) the extracts by selecting and
Level 3 explaining some key points of
First bullet point interpretation they contain and
indicating differences.
Paper 2 Section A Contextual knowledge is limited
(AO2) and presented as information
Level 1 rather than applied to the
Third bullet point source material.
Some relevant contextual
knowledge is included, with limited
linkage to the extracts.
Demonstrates understanding of the
extracts and shows some analysis
by selecting and explaining some
key points of interpretation they
contain and indicating differences.
Some relevant contextual
knowledge is included, with limited
linkage to the source material.

9. Source caption information in Paper 2 has been reviewed for consistency; some
captions have been amended as a result.
• Paper 2B.2, Source 4
• Paper 2C.2, Source 3
• Paper 2D.2, Source 4
• Paper 2E.2, Source 4
• Paper 2F.1, Source 1
• Paper 2F.2, Source 3

10. Aside from these general changes, most questions remain unchanged. The only topic-
specific change for AS is in Paper 1 Option A, Section C where the extracts for the
question have been changed; the question and indicative content have been updated
accordingly.

Page 3 of 13
Appendix 1: Revised coursework pages from accredited specification

Page 4 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Page 13 of 13