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IGCSE History examination tips

I am making the assumption that you have completed the CIE IGCSE History course, you have
made your revision notes, you have confidence that you know your material and that you are an
expert IGCSE Historian. So, now it is time to tackle some past papers, mock papers, or the actual
IGCSE examinations to prove it!

This guide is specifically focused on strategies to think about when answering the questions in
the examinations so that you can gain maximum marks. If you know your material, and you
know how to tackle the specific prompt words in the questions, history will be made with
excellent results . However, it is all up to you. A guide on examination tips is no good as
pages of words – so read, absorb, and perform.

1. First of all, look at the time for the examinations. Spend 5-7 minutes READING the
questions, and making your choices, or quickly disregarding the questions that you will
not do. Then break down the timing even more:

Paper 1 (Core and Depth Study):

Section A – TWO Core questions worth [4], [6], [10] marks. Spend 35 minutes for each
question, broken up into the following time constraints:
[4] marks – 8 minutes
[6] marks – 12 minutes
[10] marks – 15 minutes
Total: 70 minutes

Section B – ONE Depth study, worth [4], [6], [10] marks.

Spend 35 minutes on this question.

Then spend the rest of the time reading over your answers. Make sure you haven’t
forgotten any really important facts.

Paper 2 (Source-based paper):

You need to carefully READ ALL the material in the source-based paper BEFORE
beginning to write anything. Spend 10-15 minutes reading, and underline key words, or
write down important facts so you won’t forget anything.

Then, answer the questions in the following time constraints:

[7] marks – 12-14 minutes
[8] marks – 14-16 minutes
[12] marks – 22-24 minutes

Hopefully you will have about 5 minutes at the end to look over your answers, and
include anything you may have forgotten.

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Paper 4 (Alternative to coursework – Depth Study):

You need to first choose the essay title that enables you to be most likely to score high
marks. Then, PLAN your essay response before you start writing. You should spend 5 -
10 minutes planning, and answering both sides of the essay title. You will have time to
write for 35 – 45 minutes and have a little time to read over your essay.

You can be awarded a maximum of 40 marks, but remember that history is marked in
levels, so aim to level up as far as you can. Read over the mark scheme to see what is
expected at the highest level [33-40 marks]. Remember, you are more likely to reach the
highest level if you write a planned and tight response to the question.

2. Read all the clues! Make sure that you have given yourself time to read and underline
the important information that is given in the stem of each question or any source
material carefully, as well as the questions.

3. Learn how to respond to the [4], [6] and [10] mark questions in Paper 1:
A [4] mark question will usually use command words like DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN,
WHAT. Make sure you show the examiner that you know your subject material by
briefly stating what the topic is, and give examples or specific references to relevant
historical facts.

A [6] mark question will usually use the command word WHY. Here, you are expected
to show the examiner that you know what is being questioned (so briefly describe the
topic), and then EXPLAIN the reasons why the historical situation arose, giving specific
examples.

An [10] mark question will usually use the command words ‘HOW FAR DO YOU
AGREE’, or ‘TO WHAT EXTENT’. This type of question usually has a statement that
makes a particular assumption. Your strategy should include structuring your answer as a
mini-essay, consisting of several parts. You should first show an understanding of the
assumption made by the question (that it is stating something false, or that it is stating
something that has two or more perspectives, or that the question is trying to draw out a
comparative response). To show ‘how far’ make an effort to explain the points that you
agree with and the points you disagree with in the question.

4. Be subject specific and precise about historical terms, times, people, events. Don’t be
vague or write down empty sentences (I call it waffle, but some people consider waffles a
breakfast delight, so I don’t want to confuse the issue!). Using words that are specific to a
particular time, place, or event in history makes it much clearer that you know what you
are talking about.

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5. Use your own knowledge with source-based questions in Paper 2, when you are
specifically asked to evaluate the evidence in source-based work (with precise examples).
Don’t take everything in the presented sources at face value – they may tell you
something new, or something you know to be wrong. Consider the bias of the source
material, and especially ask yourself how RELIABLE and USEFUL the material is to
answer the questions.

6. Do not copy sections of the question paper to put in your answer. Short quotes are okay,
as long as you put the quoted words into the context of your explanation for why they are
relevant.

7. Keep levelling up. Your answers are marked in levels, and it is worth looking over a
mark scheme, from the lowest level, to see how to gain more marks in answering the
questions.

Very useful resources:

Mr Allsop’s History podcasts, available at:
http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision/

John D Clare’s great revision site:

http://www.johndclare.net/

BBC Bitesize:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/

Good luck with your exams!

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