How to Revise International A-Level History

Revise International A-Level History with practice on source evaluation, historiography, and key historical periods.

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 International A-Level History

✓ Read beyond your textbook. International A-Level History rewards students who can reference historians by name and discuss competing interpretations of events.
✓ Create detailed revision notes organised by theme rather than chronology. This helps you identify connections across different time periods and prepares you for thematic essay questions.
✓ Practice writing timed essays (45 minutes to one hour) regularly. The ability to construct a coherent argument with specific evidence under time pressure is essential.
✓ Learn to evaluate primary sources systematically by considering their origin, purpose, content and the context in which they were produced.

Exam Tips for International A-Level History

✓ In essay questions, state your argument clearly in the introduction and ensure each paragraph develops a distinct point that supports your thesis.
✓ For source-based questions, cross-reference sources with each other and with your own knowledge. The best answers integrate source analysis with contextual understanding.
✓ Avoid narrative. At International A-Level, examiners want analysis and evaluation, not a retelling of events. Use historical facts as evidence to support an argument.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in International A-Level History

Modern European History

American History

International Relations

Source Evaluation

Historiography

Essay Technique

Asian History

African History

Available Exam Boards

International A-Level History specification guides for each exam board

Cambridge International Edexcel International

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are available in International A-Level History? +

The available topics vary by exam board but typically cover significant 19th and 20th century themes such as the World Wars, the Cold War, decolonisation, the rise of totalitarian states and US history. Schools select from the options on the syllabus.

Is there coursework in International A-Level History? +

Some variants include a coursework component (typically an independent research essay), while others are assessed entirely through examination. The specific assessment structure depends on your exam board and syllabus.

How is International A-Level History different from UK A-Level History? +

The skills and depth are comparable, but International A-Level History uses a modular exam structure, may offer different topic options and is designed for students studying outside the UK curriculum. Exams can be sat in multiple sessions throughout the year.

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