1. How to maximise your chances in your History exam
GCSE Technique
How to maximise your chances in your History exam

2. Section A – Source based questions Disease and Infection
1a) Inference 4 marks
What does a Source(s) tell you?
Try and find 3 things to say – use the detail from the source and then explain it using a phrase like – ‘this suggests that’ or ‘this infers that’ or – ‘this implies that’
1b) Comparison 6 marks
What differences are there in the sources?
Make sure that you use Direct comparisons (Cat & Dog) – don’t just write all about 1 source and then all about the other
‘In Source A it states that….. Whereas in Source B it states that….’
Look for similarities and differences (at least 3)
Write a conclusion that reaches a judgement that answers the question
1c) Comparison 8 marks
Why are there differences between the sources?
Think! TAP – T (Time), A (Author), P (Place)
Time
Are the sources from different periods of History? What changes had taken place between these times?
Author
Who is writing the source? Are they primary or secondary? Experts or Observers?
Place
Are they about different places? What might have been the difference between them?

3. Section A – Source based questions Disease and Infection
1d) Overview question 8 marks
This is a Factors question
You must use both the sources listed and your own knowledge
how did the events shown in the sources come about? Which factors led to these changes? Remember factors can hinder as well as help.
Write about several factors
Write a conclusion that chooses the factor that made the biggest contribution and explain why

4. Section B & Section C significance questions Surgery & Anatomy AND Public Health
A) Choose ONE of the factors/individuals/historical periods below that affected the development of medicine in the [time period – Ancient World/Middle Ages/Renaissance/Industrial (C19th)/C20th].
Describe the effect of that factor/individual/historical period on the development/improvement of surgery/public health in that period. 4 marks
B) Which factor/individual/historical period had the greater impact on surgery & anatomy/public health in the [time period] marks

5. Section B and C Think! These are significance questions
Establishing significance
Compare before and after – the bigger the difference the more has changed therefore the more significant something is.
Think!
Impact
How many people were helped at the time?
Correctness
Was the discovery correct? Did they understand why it was correct?
Longevity
How long did someone’s impact last?
Consequences
Did it lead to other important discoveries?

6. Answering a) Step 1 Checklist
Date boundaries
Theme
task
Make your choice about which source to write about
Do they help or hinder?
Think of 2 effects to write about
What was their impact (choose two where you know the detail)

7. Sample Answer A) Choose ONE of the factors below that affected the development of medicine in the Middle Ages. War Religion & Superstition Describe the effect of that factor on the fight against disease and infection. 4 marks
During the Middle Ages, religion had a major impact on the development of medicine. The most common belief was that God sent illnesses such as the Black Death to punish people for their sins. People believed that the sick could be healed if they prayed for forgiveness. This means that people did not look for scientific ways to explain the causes of disease and that medical treatments did not improve. Also the Christian Church supported Galen’s ideas, they controlled universities and said that his work should not be questioned. This resulted in doctors being discouraged from researching and developing new ideas.

8. Sample Answer B) Which factor had the greater impact on the fight against disease and infection in the Middle Ages?
Always a comparison question
You have to write about both factors. You can write about one and then the other.
Show both sides of the argument for each factor– do these factors help and hinder medicine?
Make a decision – don’t sit on the fence – which one was best?
Write a conclusion that compares the significance of each factor – discuss the weakest first and end your conclusion by championing your choice.