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GCSE
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A Level
Compare GCSE
Each of the three GCSE Schools History specifications has a different course structure and assessment format. The tables provide an ‘at a glance’ comparison of the specifications.
Unit |
Options |
Assessment |
Format |
Study in Development |
Medicine Through Time, OR Crime and Punishment Through Time |
Exam 2 hrs |
Section A: compulsory source-based question. Choice of one from three structured questions |
Study in Depth |
Elizabethan England OR Britain 1815-51 OR Germany 1919-45 OR American West |
Section B: compulsory source-based question, choice of one from two structured questions |
|
Source Investigation |
Either an issue from British Medicine 1200-1945 OR an issue from Crime and Punishment in Britain 1200-1945. Based on a case study nominated two years in advance |
Exam. 1hr 45m |
Six compulsory questions on a range of 6-8 sources. |
Controlled Assessment |
History Around Us OR Modern World Study |
Controlled assessment |
One task set by OCR each year, but can be adapted. |
Unit |
Options |
Assessment |
Format |
Development Study |
Medicine and Treatment 1350- present OR Crime and Punishment 1450-present OR Changing Nature of Warfare 1450-present (each option includes two extension studies) |
Exam 1hr 15m |
4 questions on chosen Development Study (3 on core and one on extension) |
Depth Study |
Transformation of British Society 1815-51 OR American West 1840-1895 OR Life in Germany 1919-45 |
Exam 1hr 15m |
5 questions on chosen Depth Study |
Source Enquiry |
Transformation of Surgery 1845-1918 OR Protest, Law & Order in the 20th C OR Impact of War on Britain 1914-1950 OR The Work of the Historian |
Exam 1hr 15m |
5 questions based on 6-8 sources from chosen topic |
Representations of History |
13 options:12 twentieth century options and one History Around Us |
Controlled assessment |
Structured task set by Edexcel each year. Students undertake an enquiry, compare two representations, analyse and evaluate three representations |
Unit |
Options |
Assessment |
Format |
Study in Development |
Medicine Through Time OR Media Through Time |
Exam 1hr45m |
Section A: four-part question based on a range of sources on a nominated topic. |
Enquiry in Depth |
American West OR Britain 1815-51 |
Exam 1 hr 45m |
Section A: five-part question based on a range of sources |
Controlled assessment |
History Around Us |
Controlled assessment |
Generic task set by AQA annually, adaptable by centres. |