GCSE HISTORY Pictorial Guide to Exam Technique Paper 2: Russia and Germany Exam Technique FOURTH YEAR General Advice The following rules apply to all questions: 1.Read the exam paper carefully. 2.Manage your time well (one minute per mark, plus a little for reading and planning) 3.Write as legibly as possible. Slow down if you have to. Illegible script = very grumpy examiner. 4.Always answer the question. This requires careful reading and constant reference back to the question 5.‘SOK’ it to the examiner, with Specific Own Knowledge. There is no substitute for genuine facts. Learn the stuff! 6.Read through your answers at the end, and correct them as necessary HISTORY EXAM SURVIVAL GUIDE

Paper 2: Russia and Germany Exam Technique Section A: 45 marks (1 Hour) Caption Do exactly what it says on the can When using the Source, the caption is most helpful The Source isn’t useless. What is it useful for? Play mixed doubles: source and own knowledge on both sides (positive and negative) Never fully agree or disagree Make a clear judgement Each paragraph should be PEgEx (Point, Example, Explanation) or I.D.E=A Question TypeTechniquesTips (a) What can you learn from Source A about x? 5 3 things from source extended with an inference (this meant that) - own knowledge helps with this. (b) How does the content of B and C differ? 6 Wimbledon then one sentence using the source caption to explain why the difference. (c) How useful is C to a historian studying y? 9 Starting point: “Whilst not particularly useful for y, it is useful for z” (d) Do you agree with the interpretation in Source D about z? 10 Starting point: “This interpretation is true to some extent”or “I partially agree.” (e) Use your own knowledge to … (mini-essay) 15 Make 3 developed points that answer the question. Link them, and back up your judgement. Don’t waste time on this

Paper 2: Russia and Germany Exam Technique Section B: 30 marks (45 minutes) Do exactly what it says on the can Don’t use the caption Make a clear judgement Each paragraph should be PEgEx (Point, Example, Explanation) or I.D.E.=A Don’t waste time on this Question TypeTechniquesTips (a) What does Source A tell us about x? 3 Put three points briefly into your own words (b) Use Source B and your own knowledge to explain y 7 Don’t forget to use the source (content rather than caption). Process numbers - don’t copy. (c) Describe how z happened 5 This is the only place where it is absolutely right to tell a story! Lots of dates and facts. (d) or (e) Use your own knowledge to … (mini-essay) 15 Make 3 developed points that answer the question. Link them, and back up your judgement. Caption This is a sanity-test question