How to Revise iGCSE History

Revise iGCSE History with practice on source evaluation, key historical periods, and structured essay writing.

Revision Strategy

Revising History requires you to balance factual recall with analytical skills. You need to remember specific dates, events, facts, and examples, but the marks are awarded for how you use this knowledge to construct arguments and evaluate evidence. Avoid the trap of spending all your time memorising facts without practising how to deploy them in essays and structured answers.

Source analysis and essay writing are central to History exams, so practise these skills regularly. For sources, develop a consistent approach: consider who created it, when, why, and what perspective it represents. For essays, plan your argument before you start writing and make sure every paragraph has a clear point supported by specific evidence.

Case studies and specific examples are what separate strong answers from weak ones in History. Learn three or four precise details for each major topic — specific names, dates, statistics, or places — and practise weaving them into your answers. Vague generalisations will not earn top marks, but precise, well-deployed evidence demonstrates genuine understanding.

Study Tips for iGCSE History

✓ Create timelines for each topic you study, including key dates, events and turning points. iGCSE History examiners reward precise chronological knowledge.
✓ Practice source analysis regularly - identify the provenance (origin, purpose, context) of each source and evaluate its reliability and usefulness for specific historical questions.
✓ Learn to write concise, well-structured essays with a clear argument. Each paragraph should make a distinct point supported by specific historical evidence.
✓ Study multiple perspectives on each event. iGCSE History questions often ask you to consider different viewpoints and explain why interpretations differ.

Exam Tips for iGCSE History

✓ In source-based questions, always refer to the specific content and provenance of the source rather than making generic statements about bias or reliability.
✓ For essay questions, plan your argument before writing. A brief plan with three to four key points ensures your response is focused and avoids repetition.
✓ Use precise historical vocabulary and avoid anachronisms. Referring to specific treaties, policies, leaders and dates demonstrates depth of knowledge.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in iGCSE History

Core Content

Depth Studies

Source Evaluation

20th Century History

International Relations

Essay Technique

Key Individuals

Cause & Consequence

Available Exam Boards

iGCSE History specification guides for each exam board

Cambridge International Edexcel International

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered in iGCSE History? +

Cambridge iGCSE History offers a range of depth studies and core content covering 19th and 20th century world history. Common topics include the Cold War, the World Wars, decolonisation, the Arab-Israeli conflict and changes in medicine. Schools select from the available options, so the specific topics vary.

Is iGCSE History essay-based? +

Partly. The exam includes source-based questions requiring analysis of historical evidence as well as structured and essay questions. The balance between source work and essay writing depends on the specific paper.

How is iGCSE History different from GCSE History? +

iGCSE History covers broader international themes rather than the British-focused content common in many UK GCSE specifications. There is no coursework or controlled assessment, and the exam sessions are available globally in June and November.

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