GCSE History Paper 3 - USA (1HI0/33) - exemplar pack (Summer 2018)

Sep 5, 2026

Exemplar booklet for Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Paper 3: Modern depth study, focusing on “The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad.” It explains how student responses and examiner commentaries demonstrate the application of the mark schemes across AO1–AO4. The guide outlines the paper structure, then presents marked exemplar answers and examiner feedback for Questions 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d), including interpretational analysis of the Tet Offensive and how candidates are credited for differences in viewpoint, substantiated reasons, and justified agreement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Question 3(b): main difference between Interpretations

Candidate response to Question 3(b)

Question 3(c): reason for different views

Candidate response to Question 3(c)

Question 3(d): agree with Interpretation 2

Mark scheme

GCSE (9-1)History - Paper 3 - USA (1HI0/33) exemplar pack Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in History (1HI0) Contents Introduction 2 Question 3(b) 3 Candidate response to question 3(b) 4 Question 3(c) 6 Candidate response to question 3(c) 7 Question 3(d) 9 Candidate response to question 3(d) 12 # Introduction This exemplar booklet has been created using student responses from the exampaper in GCSE History Paper 3: Modern depth study (Paper 33 The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad) . The answers and examiner commentaries inthis guide can be used to show the application of the mark schemes in the GCSEHistory assessment. The exam duration is 1 hour and 20 minutes. The paper is marked out of 52marks and is worth 30% of the qualification. The examination paper covers AO1,AO2, AO3 and AO4. The examination paper is divided into Section A (Q1-2) and Section B (Q3a-d) .The structure of the question paper is as follows: The question papers provide answer spaces to give guidance as to the maximumlength of response that might be expected (although candidates may use morespace) . Tables and structured spaces are provided for some question types (Q1)and stimulus points are provided as prompts on higher-tariff questions (Q2) . The questions used are 3(b) , 3(c) , and 3(d) . The questions selected are thosethat assess AO4 skills relating to the analysis of interpretations which is onlyassessed on Paper 3. Question 3 (b) Study Interpretations 1 and 2. They give different views about the effects of theTet Offensive on American attempts to win the Vietnam War. What is the main difference between these views? Explain your answer, usingdetails from both interpretations. (4) Mark scheme In this question candidates need to identify the difference between the viewsgiven in Interpretations 1 and 2 about the specified enquiry, in this case theeffects ofthe Tet Offensive on American attempts to win the Vietnam War.Candidates are expected to identify a difference and evidence this by selectingrelevant points from the interpretations. Candidates are expected to offer adifference in the overall view presented in each interpretation and support thisdetails from the interpretations. Candidate answers to question 3 (b) Response 1 # Examiner Comments This answer was awarded Level 2, 4 marks. The candidate shows a clear understanding of the main difference in viewbetween the two interpretations. They have identified the general difference thatInterpretation 1 portrays the Tet Offensive as a success for the USA whereasInterpretation 2 clearly shows that it was a failure for the USA. There is supportfor the explanation in the form of direct quotations from the interpretations. Response 2 # Examiner comments This candidate was awarded Level 1, 2 marks. This candidate has described a difference of surface detail betweenInterpretation 1 and Interpretation 2, with some support for this difference.However, this response can only gain marks in Level 1 because it does notidentify a key difference in view between the two interpretations. In otherwords, the candidate has compared the interpretations in terms of the detailthey contain rather than the views they express. Question 3(c) Suggest one reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views about theeffects ofthe Tet Offensive on American attempts to win the Vietnam War. You may use Sources B and C to help explain your answer. (4) Mark Scheme Moving on from identifying the differences in view in question 3(b), in question3(c) candidates need to explain a reason for those differences. Only one reason,effectively substantiated, is required to get into Level 2. Candidates may consider a variety of different possibilities. For example, theymay choose to focus on the weight the authors have given to different sourcesand they can use Sources A and B to support their explanation. Candidatesmight also look to explain how the authors

FAQs

What is the purpose of this exemplar pack for GCSE History Paper 3?

It uses student responses and examiner commentaries to show how the GCSE History mark schemes are applied for Paper 3 assessment, including the relevant AO skills.

Which question types in the pack focus on interpretation skills?

Questions 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d) are selected to assess AO4 skills related to analysing interpretations, which are only assessed on Paper 3.

How do examiner comments distinguish between Level 1 and Level 2 in Question 3(b)?

Level 2 requires identifying a key difference in views supported by relevant evidence, while Level 1 is limited to surface-level differences without explaining the key difference in viewpoint.

Sep 5, 2026

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