Paper 1 - Understanding the Modern World

Topics

Two modern world studies:

• Period study – one country over around 50 years (e.g. Germany 1890–1945 or America 1920–1973)
• Wider world depth study – international conflict (e.g. First World War, Cold War)

Format

Section A – Period study
Questions on historical interpretations, explanation of developments, and an extended essay judgement.

Section B – Wider world depth study
Source analysis questions, a narrative account of events, and an extended essay evaluating historical arguments.

Paper 2 - Shaping the Nation

Topics

Two British history studies:

• Thematic study – long-term change across British history (e.g. Health and the People)
• British depth study – a focused period including a historic environment site (e.g. Elizabethan England)

Format

Section A – Thematic study
Source evaluation, significance questions, comparison questions and an extended essay analysing causes or change.

Section B – British depth study
Interpretation evaluation, explanation and narrative questions, and an extended essay linked to the historic environment.

Paper 1 - Thematic Study and Historic Environment

Topics

• One British thematic study across a long time period
• A linked historic environment study
• Analysis of historical sources and interpretations

Questions

Section A – Historic Environment: Questions on features of the historical site and analysis of two sources.

Section B – Thematic Study: Questions assessing similarity, difference, change and continuity across time. Students answer two compulsory questions and one extended judgement question from a choice.

Paper 2 - Period Study and British Depth Study

Topics

• One period study covering a major historical development
• One British depth study focusing on a shorter period
• Key concepts such as causation, consequence and significance

Questions

Period Study: Four questions including consequence, analytical narrative and significance.

British Depth Study: Questions on key features, causation and an extended judgement question chosen from two options.

Paper 3 - Modern Depth Study

Topics

• One modern depth study focusing on a specific country or conflict
• Historical sources and interpretations
• Causes and consequences of major events

Questions

Section A: Source inference question and one causation question from a choice.

Section B: Source usefulness, interpretation comparison, explanation of differences between interpretations, and an extended evaluation question.

Paper 1 - Depth Studies

Topics

Students study two depth studies focusing on key historical events, individuals and developments from the late 18th to the late 20th century.
Topics cover major political, social and international changes such as revolutions, dictatorships, civil rights movements and global conflicts.

Format

Students answer two questions, one on each of the depth studies they have studied.
Questions assess explanation, analysis and evaluation of historical events and interpretations.

Paper 2 - Investigation and Breadth Studies

Topics

One historical investigation focusing on a specific period or conflict.
One breadth study exploring long-term historical change across a wider theme.

Topics may include events such as the World Wars, Cold War conflicts, social and political change, and developments in countries such as the USA, Russia or China.

Format

Section A – one question on the chosen historical investigation.
Section B – one question on the chosen breadth study in change.
Questions assess analysis of historical sources, explanations and evaluation of historical interpretations.