Cambridge IGCSE - Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE History 0470

Oct 23, 2026

Grade descriptions explain the typical level of performance demonstrated by candidates awarded different grades for a qualification. For Cambridge IGCSE, they describe performance across three grades—F, C and A—and are used alongside the syllabus, specimen assessment materials and grade thresholds. Developed by experienced examiners after initial examinations and following substantial revisions, they support teachers, students, and admissions or employers by clarifying what performance looks like at each grade level. They are presented as a grid and must not be used to challenge awarded grades.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

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What are Grade Descriptions?

How do I use this resource?

Grade Descriptions

Cambridge IGCSE Grade Descriptions for Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 What are Grade Descriptions? Grade descriptions describe the level of performance typically demonstrated by candidates achieving the different grades awarded for a qualification. For Cambridge IGCSEs, they describe performance at three levels – grades ‘F’, ‘C’ and ‘A’. Grade descriptions sit alongside other key documents that illustrate examination standards, including: • the syllabus, which presents what students should be taught over a course of study and explains how this is assessed • the specimen assessment materials, which illustrate the structure of the assessment and the kinds of tasks that candidates complete • grade thresholds, which show the total mark required to achieve a grade. Grade descriptions are produced with a wide range of audiences in mind. For teachers, they support lesson planning and curriculum development, while students may gain useful insights into what is required to achieve a high grade and what candidate performance at lower grades typically looks like. For university admissions staff and employers, and those less familiar with Cambridge, they paint a picture of typical performance at different grades. Cambridge publishes grade descriptions for a qualification once examinations have taken place for the first time and we review them when a qualification is substantially revised. They are developed by highly experienced examiners who understand performance standards in the subject area and have studied samples of candidate work. How do I use this resource? Grade descriptions are presented as a grid, with content areas atthe start of each row and the different grades at the top of each column. The content areas group together various aspects of the syllabus – they reflect topics, assessment objectives, key concepts, syllabus aims and/or components. The way they are organised is specific to each subject. For each content area there is a descriptor for each grade. Reading across the row from left to right, the descriptors represent increasing levels of performance, with each grade descriptor building on, and including, the last. Each column represents overall performance at a particular grade. Reading down the column from top to bottom, the descriptors capture the range of knowledge, understanding and skills that a candidate ‘comfortably inside the grade’ is likely to demonstrate. Cambridge produces grade descriptions to support teaching and learning and the interpretation of candidate scores and grades. We do not use them to set grade thresholds. As such, they cannot be used to challenge the grade awarded to any individual candidate. Grade Descriptions | Area of knowledge,
understanding and skills | Typical performance at grade F | Typical performance at grade C | Typical performance at grade A | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | Recalling, selecting, organising and deploying historical knowledge | Students recall basic historical knowledge. They select limited knowledge which is organised to produce writing with a simple structure. | Students recall relevant historical knowledge with some accuracy. They select, organise and deploy mostly relevant knowledge to produce structured writing. | Students accurately recall relevant and detailed historical knowledge. They consistently select, organise and effectively deploy relevant and accurate knowledge to produce coherent and logically developed writing. | | | | | | | Understanding events, developments and key features of the past | Students demonstrate basic understanding of events, developments and key features and characteristics of the past. They use this understanding to construct narratives and descriptions. For example, they might describe some of the events of the Cold War. | Students demonstrate a sound understanding of events, developments and key features of the past, with some awareness of the broad context. They use this under

FAQs

What do Cambridge IGCSE grade descriptions communicate for grades F, C, and A?

They describe the level of performance typically demonstrated by candidates awarded different grades, covering knowledge, understanding and skills for each grade level.

What documents do grade descriptions sit alongside?

They are published alongside key documents such as the syllabus, specimen assessment materials, and grade thresholds.

How should teachers and others use grade descriptions?

They support teaching and learning and help interpret candidate scores and grades, but they should not be used to set grade thresholds or challenge an individual candidate’s awarded grade.

Oct 23, 2026

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