Pearson EdexcelGCSE234 resources

Pearson Edexcel GCSE History A Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free Pearson Edexcel GCSE History A (legacy) past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Units 1-4 with multiple options. 234 resources.

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June 2017

20 files

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 1 Option 1A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 1 – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2017

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2017

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June 2016

14 files

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 1 Option 1A – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 1 – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2016

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2016

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June 2015

14 files

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 1 – June 2015

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2015

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June 2014

21 files

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 1 – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 1 Option 1A – June 2014

Question Paper

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – June 2014

Examiner Report

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Mark scheme – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2014

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2014

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June 2013

5 files

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2013

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2013

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2013

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2013

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2013

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January 2013

5 files

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – January 2013

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – January 2013

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – January 2013

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – January 2013

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – January 2013

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June 2012

9 files

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Question paper – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3C – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2012

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January 2012

7 files

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3C – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – January 2012

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2B – January 2012

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June 2011

5 files

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2C – June 2011

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 1 – June 2011

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3A – June 2011

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 2 Option 2A – June 2011

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GCSE History A – Examiner report – Unit 3 Option 3B – June 2011

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Edexcel GCSE History A (Legacy): Units, Option Choices, and the Source-Based Tradition

Pearson Edexcel GCSE History A is a legacy specification assessed through four units, each focusing on a different type of historical study. This unitised structure provided flexibility in how schools organised their history curriculum and allowed for modular assessment across the course. The specification predates the current linear 1HI0 specification and was graded on the old A*-G scale. Unit 1 was a core unit focusing on a specific historical period, with Option 1A being the most commonly taken. Unit 2 offered a choice of thematic or period studies with Options 2A, 2B, and 2C covering different historical topics. Unit 3 was a source-based unit requiring students to evaluate and interpret historical evidence, with three option choices. Unit 4 was typically an independently studied investigation or controlled assessment component, assessed through coursework. The thematic scope of History A covered modern European and world history, British political and social history, and historical investigations. The source evaluation skills emphasised in Unit 3 are particularly valuable for students preparing for any GCSE History specification, as the ability to assess provenance, reliability, and utility of historical sources is a transferable skill across all boards. With 234 resources covering all four units and multiple options, this archive provides extensive practice material. Even students following the current 1HI0 specification will benefit from Unit 3 source-based questions, as the interpretive skills assessed are directly relevant to modern exam demands. Though the A*-G grading system no longer applies, the historical content and analytical skills practised through these papers remain highly relevant to current GCSE History study.

Exam Paper Structure

Unit 1

International Relations: The Era of the Cold War, 1943–1991

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 60 marks📊 25% of grade

Superpower rivalryCold War crisesDétente and the end of the Cold War

Unit 2

Modern World History

⏱ 1 hour 15 minutes🎯 60 marks📊 25% of grade

World War IWorld War IINazi Germany or Russia

Unit 3

A Depth Study

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 60 marks📊 25% of grade

In-depth study of one period or themeSource analysisExtended writing

Unit 4

Historical Enquiry

⏱ Controlled assessment🎯 60 marks📊 25% of grade

Source investigationHistorical enquiryControlled assessment

Key Information

Exam Board	Pearson Edexcel
Specification Code	History A (legacy)
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	A*-G (legacy)
Assessment Type	Unitised (4 units including controlled assessment)
Tiers	Single tier
Units	Unit 1 (Period), Unit 2 (Options 2A/2B/2C), Unit 3 (Sources), Unit 4 (Investigation)
Status	Legacy specification
Total Resources	234

Key Topics in History A

Topics you need to know

The Cold War and superpower relationsWorld War II and its causesNazi Germany and the HolocaustRussian Revolution and the Soviet UnionSource analysis and historical enquiryCauses, consequences and significance

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Describe	Give an account of the main features or events
Explain	Give developed reasons supported by historical knowledge
How useful	Evaluate a source as historical evidence considering content, origin and purpose
How far do you agree	Weigh evidence for and against a statement and reach a substantiated judgement
Analyse	Examine causes or consequences, exploring their relative importance
Write an account	Narrate events in sequence, explaining how they are connected

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade A*	85–95%
Grade A	75–84%
Grade B	65–74%
Grade C	55–64%
Grade D	45–54%
Grade E	35–44%
Grade F	25–34%
Grade G	15–24%

⚠️ Legacy A*-G grading (History A, legacy unitised). Approximate boundaries — check archived Edexcel resources.

Mining the History A Legacy Archive for Source Analysis and Essay Skills

The source-based questions in Unit 3 of this legacy specification are some of the best available practice for developing historical source analysis skills. These questions require students to evaluate the provenance, content, and utility of sources — skills that remain central to all current GCSE History specifications. Work through Unit 3 papers systematically, practising how to reference both content and provenance in your analysis. For Unit 3 source evaluation, practise the full analytical structure: identify what the source says (content), consider why it was created and by whom (provenance), explain what this reveals about its reliability and utility, and place it in its wider historical context. Students who address all four elements consistently earn the highest marks. Unit 2's thematic questions require students to explain causes, consequences, and significance across a defined historical period. Practise structuring your responses around clear factors rather than a chronological narrative — examiners reward students who identify distinct points, explain them with evidence, and show how they connect to the question. Unit 1 period questions often feature a mix of shorter factual responses and longer analytical essays. For the analytical essays, always address the specific question set rather than writing a general account of the topic. Edexcel examiners consistently note that students who answer the question literally rather than tangentially score significantly higher. Think of these papers as skill-builders for historical analysis, while using current 1HI0 papers for topic-specific content preparation.

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Pearson Edexcel GCSE History A Past Papers & Mark Schemes

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June 2017

June 2016

June 2015

June 2014

June 2013

January 2013

June 2012

January 2012

June 2011

Edexcel GCSE History A (Legacy): Units, Option Choices, and the Source-Based Tradition

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in History A

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

Mining the History A Legacy Archive for Source Analysis and Essay Skills

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