At a glance
- Cambridge code
- 9489
- Edexcel IAL units
- WHI01 to WHI04, 2 hours each
- AQA code
- 7042 (AS: 7041)
- AQA coursework
- 3,500 to 4,500 words, 20%
- Grades
- A* to E
Cambridge International 9489 assessment
From the 9489 syllabus for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (version 2, April 2025). Papers 1 and 2 are the AS Level.
| Paper | Format | Length and marks | Share of A Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Historical Sources | One two-part source question on the chosen option | 1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks | 20% (40% of AS) |
| Paper 2 Outline Study | Two two-part questions on the chosen option | 1 hour 45 minutes, 60 marks | 30% (60% of AS) |
| Paper 3 Historical Interpretations | One interpretations question on a set topic | 1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks | 20% |
| Paper 4 Depth Study | Two essays from a choice of three on the chosen option | 1 hour 45 minutes, 60 marks | 30% |
Options for Papers 1 and 2: Modern Europe 1774 to 1924, the history of the USA 1820 to 1941, or international history 1870 to 1939, with topics rotating between the two papers each year. Paper 3 topics: the origins of the First World War, the Holocaust, or the origins and development of the Cold War.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level History
| Unit | Focus | Length and marks | Share of IAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHI01 Unit 1: Depth Study with Interpretations | Options such as France in Revolution 1774 to 1799 or Germany 1918 to 1945 | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% (50% of IAS) |
| WHI02 Unit 2: Breadth Study with Source Evaluation | Options such as India 1857 to 1948 or China 1900 to 1976 | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% (50% of IAS) |
| WHI03 Unit 3: Thematic Study with Source Evaluation | Options such as Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA 1865 to 2009 | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% |
| WHI04 Unit 4: International Study with Historical Interpretations | Options such as The World Divided: Superpower Relations 1943 to 1990 | 2 hours, 50 marks | 25% |
Each unit has four options and the school chooses one. Units are available in January and June; Pearson's Information Manual lists which options run in each series.
AQA A-level History 7042
| Component | Format | Length and marks | Share of A-level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Component 1: Breadth study | Compulsory interpretations question (30) and two of three essays (25 each) | 2 hours 30 minutes, 80 marks | 40% |
| Component 2: Depth study | Compulsory primary sources question (30) and two of three essays (25 each) | 2 hours 30 minutes, 80 marks | 40% |
| Component 3: Historical investigation | Personal study across about 100 years, marked by teachers and moderated by AQA | 3,500 to 4,500 words, 40 marks | 20% |
Students must study one British and one non-British option across Components 1 and 2.
What separates strong history answers
Most lost marks come from essays that describe instead of argue. Every board's mark scheme rewards a clear judgement on the question as set (how far, to what extent, how significant), sustained through the essay and supported with precise evidence. Students who know the period well still land in the middle bands when their paragraphs narrate events in order without linking them to the question.
Source and interpretation questions are the second trap. Students summarise what a source says, when the marks are for evaluating it: its provenance, purpose and reliability, and how far it can be trusted for the specific question. Interpretation questions ask why historians disagree and which view is more convincing, which needs both knowledge of the debate and confidence to judge it.
How one-to-one History lessons run
Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, in LiveTutor's online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. The tutor works on the options your child's school has chosen, so a Cambridge student studying the USA option practises those Paper 1 and Paper 2 question styles, and an Edexcel student practises the unit formats for the options actually taught.
A typical lesson plans one essay together, drafts a judgement and the structure, then reviews a full essay your child has written against the board's levels. Source lessons work through provenance and content analysis with real past-paper sources. Knowledge gaps are fixed with short timelines and key-fact checks, but the main focus is turning knowledge into argument under time pressure. For AQA, the tutor can teach research and referencing skills for the investigation, while the work stays your child's own.
When to start
- Early Year 12, before essay habits set, especially if your child did not take IGCSE History.
- Before the AS papers, for timed source and outline questions.
- When the AQA investigation question is chosen, to plan reading and structure.
- The final term, for timed essays across the options studied.
Common questions
Which History options will my child study?
The school chooses. Cambridge offers European, American and International options; Edexcel IAL has four options per unit; AQA has many breadth and depth options. Ask the school for the exact options and codes.
Is A-Level History good for law?
History is a common choice for law applicants because it trains argument and evidence handling, but most law degrees do not require a specific subject. Check each university's requirements.
Does Cambridge 9489 change for 2027?
A syllabus for exams in 2027, 2028 and 2029 is in force, updated in April 2025 with an added Cold War learning outcome and a new command phrase. Make sure your child's materials match it.
What do History lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.
Can lessons focus only on essay writing?
Yes. Many families ask for exactly that. The tutor will still check key knowledge, since judgement depends on precise evidence.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.