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History Revision

The most-taught modules across both papers, from Nazi Germany to the Norman Conquest.

AQA GCSE History (8145) is examined through two equally weighted papers, each worth 50% of the grade, with no coursework. The specification is optioned: schools choose one topic from each of four groups, so no two classes study exactly the same combination. These lessons cover the most widely taught option set, so they match what the majority of students actually sit.

Paper 1, Understanding the modern world, pairs a period study of Germany 1890-1945 with a wider-world depth study of international conflict, covered here through both Conflict and Tension in the First World War and the Cold War. Paper 2, Shaping the nation, combines the Britain: Health and the People thematic study with a British depth study, covered here through both Elizabethan England and Norman England including the historic environment.

Work through each topic question by question, use the exam-skills lessons to master interpretations, sources and the mark-banded essays, then turn any lesson into a quiz or flashcards and ask the built-in tutor whenever a date, cause or mark scheme stops making sense.

Lessons

Getting started and exam skills

5

Germany 1890–1945

9

Conflict & Tension: the First World War

7

The Cold War 1945–1972

7

Britain: Health and the People

10

Elizabethan England

8

Norman England

7

Frequently asked questions

By two written papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 84 marks and 50% of the grade, with no coursework. Paper 1 is Understanding the modern world (a period study and a wider world depth study); Paper 2 is Shaping the nation (a thematic study and a British depth study with a historic environment).

The most-taught option set: Germany 1890-1945, Conflict and Tension in WWI, the Cold War 1945-1972, Britain: Health and the People, Elizabethan England and Norman England. Check your own exam entry, since History is optioned and schools pick different combinations.

It is a specified site studied for the Paper 2 Section B depth study and examined in a 16-mark essay. AQA changes the site every year and publishes it in advance, so these lessons teach the transferable skill of analysing any set site rather than a fixed one.

Learn the key dates, causes and consequences for each topic, then practise the specific question types, since half the marks reward exam technique. Use the interpretation, source and essay-skills lessons alongside the content, and test yourself with quizzes and past-paper questions.

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