Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Overview:
On this page, you will find past exam papers and their corresponding mark schemes for Paper 2: Shaping the Nation. These resources will help you practice answering questions on topics such as Health and the People, Power and the People, Migration, Empires, and the People, and various British Depth Studies. Review the mark schemes to understand how answers are graded and what examiners are looking for in your responses.
1. Paper 2 Past Papers
Health and the People: c1000 to the Present Day
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Power and the People: c1170 to the Present Day
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Migration, Empires, and the People: c790 to the Present Day
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Norman England, c1066–c1100
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Medieval England: The Reign of Edward I, 1272–1307
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Elizabethan England, c1568–1603
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
Restoration England, 1660–1685
Past Paper: June 2023
Past Paper: June 2022
Past Paper: June 2021
Past Paper: June 2020
2. Mark Schemes
Mark schemes provide detailed guidance on how examiners award marks for each question. By reviewing the mark schemes, you can see what elements are needed in your answers to achieve top marks.
Health and the People: c1000 to the Present Day - Mark Scheme
Power and the People: c1170 to the Present Day - Mark Scheme
Migration, Empires, and the People: c790 to the Present Day - Mark Scheme
Norman England, c1066–c1100 - Mark Scheme
Medieval England: The Reign of Edward I, 1272–1307 - Mark Scheme
Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 - Mark Scheme
Restoration England, 1660–1685 - Mark Scheme
What to Look for in Mark Schemes:
Key Content Points: These are the core facts or arguments that you need to include in your answer.
Use of Evidence: The mark schemes will often highlight how much evidence you need to provide to back up your arguments.
Analysis and Evaluation: You need to demonstrate critical thinking, especially in longer, essay-style questions. Showing how the evidence supports or challenges the point you are making can earn extra marks.
Structure and Clarity: Your answer should be well-organized, with a clear introduction, middle, and conclusion.
3. Exam Practice and Revision Tips
How to Use Past Papers Effectively:
Timed Practice: Try to complete past papers under timed conditions to simulate the exam experience.
Check Mark Schemes After Completing: After answering each question, review the mark scheme to see what key points you may have missed.
Focus on Common Themes: Identify recurring themes or questions from past papers. This can give you an idea of which topics are most likely to appear in your exam.
Peer Review: If possible, exchange answers with peers and compare your responses with the mark schemes. This can help you identify areas for improvement.
Exam Strategy:
Answer the Question Directly: Ensure you focus on what the question is asking, and avoid providing irrelevant information.
Use the Right Amount of Detail: Don’t overwhelm your answer with too much information. Focus on relevant facts and analysis.
Practice Source-Based Questions: For questions that require analysis of sources, practice looking for the provenance, purpose, and message of the sources, and how they relate to your knowledge of the topic.
4. Additional Resources
Revision Guides: Access downloadable revision guides that summarize key topics covered in Paper 2.
Model Answers: Examples of high-quality answers to past exam questions.
Examiner Reports: These reports provide feedback from examiners on how students performed in previous exams and offer tips for improving your exam technique.