starter activity

What advice would you give Mr Bean on how to do well in a GCSE History exam?

General tipsGeneral tips Timing is crucial – by not answering the essay Timing is crucial – by not answering the essay

questions you throw away up to 50% of your marks questions you throw away up to 50% of your marks for that section!!!!for that section!!!!

Read the instructions: you MUST answer ALL parts Read the instructions: you MUST answer ALL parts of Section A and chose between Section B & Cof Section A and chose between Section B & C

Look at the marks availableLook at the marks available Read the ‘Read the ‘attributionsattributions’ – the examiner is giving you ’ – the examiner is giving you

clues not trying to catch you outclues not trying to catch you out If you are asked to use own knowledge – use it!If you are asked to use own knowledge – use it! If you run short of time, bullet point key factsIf you run short of time, bullet point key facts Don’t spend too long on questions worth 4 marks at Don’t spend too long on questions worth 4 marks at

the expense of ones worth 12 or 15the expense of ones worth 12 or 15

How can I do well How can I do well at Unit 2?at Unit 2?

Exam tips & techniques for Exam tips & techniques for Unit 2, Germany, 1919-45 Unit 2, Germany, 1919-45

paperpaper

LOs

Section A, question (a) (Section A, question (a) (4 4 marksmarks))

Question type: ‘What does the source Question type: ‘What does the source suggest/ tell us about…?’suggest/ tell us about…?’

Read the labels for cluesRead the labels for clues Make specific references to details in Make specific references to details in

the sources & the sources & explainexplain their meaning their meaning Avoid copying out long passages from Avoid copying out long passages from

the source but the source but paraphraseparaphrase Look for 3 or 4 detailed points you can Look for 3 or 4 detailed points you can

makemake

Question (b) (Question (b) (6 marks6 marks))

Question type: ‘What different view is Question type: ‘What different view is suggested …?suggested …?

Read the labels for cluesRead the labels for clues Avoid copying out long sections of the Avoid copying out long sections of the

sourcessources Compares differences in the details, BUT Compares differences in the details, BUT

you don’t need to explain why they might you don’t need to explain why they might be differentbe different

Often requires you to spot which has a Often requires you to spot which has a positive/negative view or tonepositive/negative view or tone

Question (c) (Question (c) (8 marks8 marks))

Question type: ‘Why do the sources Question type: ‘Why do the sources give different views?’give different views?’

Look carefully at the labelsLook carefully at the labels NN(Nature, what kind of source)(Nature, what kind of source) O O (Origin, who wrote the source, are (Origin, who wrote the source, are

they a supporter or opponent)they a supporter or opponent) P P (Purpose, why was the source (Purpose, why was the source

produced)produced)

Question (d) (Question (d) (8 marks8 marks))

Question type: ‘How useful is the Question type: ‘How useful is the source…?’source…?’

Explain what the source help us to Explain what the source help us to understand BUT also what are the understand BUT also what are the limitations of the sourcelimitations of the source

No source is absolutely useless!No source is absolutely useless! Look out for sources which may be Look out for sources which may be

propaganda – they still have a use in propaganda – they still have a use in helping understand how Nazis tried to helping understand how Nazis tried to brainwashed peoplebrainwashed people

Question (e) (Question (e) (10 marks10 marks)) Question type: essay style question, e.g. Question type: essay style question, e.g.

‘Why were Hitler and the Nazis able to ‘Why were Hitler and the Nazis able to persecute the Jews?’persecute the Jews?’

Identify a range of factors, e.g. Hitler’s Identify a range of factors, e.g. Hitler’s dictatorship, lack of opposition, dictatorship, lack of opposition, Nuremberg Laws, propaganda, German Nuremberg Laws, propaganda, German anti-Semitism & blame for Germany’s anti-Semitism & blame for Germany’s problemsproblems

You MUST reach a conclusion to reach You MUST reach a conclusion to reach level 4level 4

Bullet point if you run out of timeBullet point if you run out of time

Section B, question (a) Section B, question (a) ((4 marks4 marks))

Question type: ‘What was …?’ or Question type: ‘What was …?’ or ‘Who was …?’‘Who was …?’

Create a glossary of key terms when Create a glossary of key terms when you reviseyou revise

Link your knowledge to the key term Link your knowledge to the key term and make 3 or 4 detailed pointsand make 3 or 4 detailed points

Question (b) (Question (b) (8 marks8 marks))

Question type: ‘Using the source and Question type: ‘Using the source and your knowledge explain …’your knowledge explain …’

Read the label VERY carefully to Read the label VERY carefully to make sure you understand the eventmake sure you understand the event

To access level 3 you need to explain To access level 3 you need to explain 2 or 3 reasons or factors2 or 3 reasons or factors

Question (c) (Question (c) (12 marks12 marks))

Question type: ‘Why was Nazi Question type: ‘Why was Nazi propaganda successful?’ or ‘How propaganda successful?’ or ‘How important was Stresemann in helping important was Stresemann in helping Germany recover?’Germany recover?’

Identify a range of factorsIdentify a range of factors Use precise details, e.g. individuals, Use precise details, e.g. individuals,

laws, organisations etc.laws, organisations etc. You MUST reach a judgement to You MUST reach a judgement to

access level 4access level 4

Your taskYour task

Set yourself 3 targets for the Set yourself 3 targets for the summer examssummer exams

Can you guess what Mr Higgins’ tips Can you guess what Mr Higgins’ tips for exam success will be….?for exam success will be….?

What advice can I give those Year

11s?

PlenaryPlenary

Mr Higgins’ top tips for exam Mr Higgins’ top tips for exam success…success…

Pace yourself carefully – leave Pace yourself carefully – leave enough time for the essay-style enough time for the essay-style questions at the end of each sectionquestions at the end of each section

Read the labels carefullyRead the labels carefully Provide as much factual detail as Provide as much factual detail as

you canyou can

Don’t be a Mr Bean this summer!