GCSE (9–1) History - Assessment Guide - Pearson Edexcel

Sep 5, 2026

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Guide to Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) History assessments, explaining how question design, structure, and language support student success. Details three written exams (Paper 1 British Thematic Study with Historic Environment, Paper 2 Period Study and British Depth Study, Paper 3 Modern Depth Study), including timings, marks, and weighting of assessment objectives. Covers assessment objectives AO1–AO4, focus on second-order concepts, question demand ramping, accessible command words, and how sources and interpretations may be edited without changing original meaning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Our assessments

Assessment objectives

Spotlight on AO2: Identifying second-order concepts

Assessment style

Question styles

Use of language

What students learn

Paper walkthrough: Paper 1

Support every step of the way

Teaching approaches

GCSE (9–1) History How our assessments give every student the chance to succeed Introducing our new exams History matters. That’s why we’ve created a qualification that enables all your students to engage with the subject and show what they know. Every student matters. With this in mind, our exams are designed to give them every chance to succeed – from accessing that first question to finishing the last. This guide gives you a closer look at how we’ve shaped our assessments and how we’ll support you every step of the way. Our assessments An assessment model teachers prefer Structure and features…Page 3 Assessment Objectives…Page 4 Assessment styles Question styles…Page 6 Clear and accessible language…Page 6 Command words…Page 7 What our assessments look like A walkthrough Paper 1 British Thematic Study with Historic Environment Page 9 Support every step of the way Teaching approaches you’ve told us work well with the new exams Follow-up enquiry…Page 11 Interpretations…Page 13 Source inference…Page 13 Extended responses…Page 14 Track and assess progress Tools and materials…Page 15 Pearson Progression Services…Page 15 Published resources…Page 15 An assessment model teachers prefer We’ve designed our assessment to be accessible to the full range of your learners, while ensuring that they challenge your most able students. Our papers gradually build in demand and are designed to help your students approach the exams with confidence. Our Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) History will be assessed through three written exams. We chose this number of papers because you told us: It gives more students more opportunities to show what they can do. Three shorter papers mean students are less likely to suffer from exam fatigue. Structure and features Paper 1 British Thematic Study with Historic Environment 1 hour 15 minutes 52 marks 30% weighting AO1, AO2 and AO3 assessed Paper 2 Period Study and British Depth Study 1 hour 45 minutes 64 marks 40% weighting AO1 and AO2 assessed Paper 3 Modern Depth Study 1 hour 20 minutes 52 marks 30% weighting AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 assessed Each Historic Environment site is linked to a thematic study, so students only have to study four distinct areas of content rather than five. What students learn in Medicine, Crime, or Warfare will give a broad context for the detailed study of the associated site. Only Paper 2 has two different topics and assesses two Assessment Objectives. Allows for extra reading time for sources and interpretations. 3 4 Assessment objectives | AO1: | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and
characteristics of the periods studied. | | --- | --- | | AO2: | Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts. | | AO3: | Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied. | | AO4: | Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied. | Spotlight on AO2: Identifying second-order concepts The new AO2 explicitly specifies the use of second-order concepts when assessing students’ explanation and analysis of historical events. In order to support all your students, we have targeted particular second-order concepts in specific questions. Paper 1 Question 3 similarity/difference Question 4 change and continuity Question 5/6 any second-order concept Paper 2 Period study Question 1 consequence Question 2 mix of concepts Question 3 consequence/significance British depth study Question 1b causation Question 1 ci/ii any second-order concept Paper 3 Question 2 causation Second-order concepts similarity difference change continuity consequence significance causation

FAQs

How many written exams are included in Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) History, and what are they called?

The qualification is assessed through three written exams: Paper 1 (British Thematic Study with Historic Environment), Paper 2 (Period Study and British Depth Study), and Paper 3 (Modern Depth Study).

What do AO1 to AO4 assess in GCSE (9–1) History?

AO1 focuses on knowledge and understanding of key features of studied periods. AO2 assesses explanation and analysis using second-order historical concepts. AO3 assesses analysis and evaluation of sources to make substantiated judgements. AO4 assesses analysis, evaluation, and substantiated judgements about interpretations and how/why interpretations may differ.

How do the exam question styles and language support accessibility for students?

Exams begin with lower-demand questions and gradually increase demand, including transitions within sections. Clear, accessible language is used throughout, with command words, and sources/interpretations may be edited for brevity while preserving original meaning, using glosses when challenging terms are important.

Sep 5, 2026

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