Igcse history examinations



IGCSE History examination tipsI 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.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 minutesTotal: 70 minutesSection 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 minutesHopefully you will have about 5 minutes at the end to look over your answers, and include anything you may have forgotten.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.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.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. 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.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.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.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: D Clare’s great revision site: Bitesize: luck with your exams! ................
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