History OCR GCSE exam tips!

History and archaeology discussion, revision, exam and homework help.

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  1. Sapphirex's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 32
    History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    I have a lot of knowledge but when it comes to the exam I don't pick up a great amount of marks. Does anyone have any tips in regards to how much should be written for the 4, 6 and 10 mark questions along with the best ways to answer source questions for paper1 and paper2.

    Modern World B- International Relations exam and Germany Depth study exam
  2. ChestnutHero's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 38
    For analysing sources in paper 2, our history teacher told us to *PANDA* or refer to the:

    P -urpose (what was it used for? To inform people/amusement/persuade people etc.)

    A -uthor (who wrote it and why? Would they be subjective?)

    N -ature (what was it- was it an article/cartoon/government propaganda poster etc.?)

    D -ate (when was it written and did this have any significance?)

    A -udience (who would/was meant to see this at the time? What impact would it have on them?)

    It depends on the actual question but those are some general things to look out for

    Oh and you should *PEE* (Point Evidence Explain) when answering all questions hope that helps!


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  3. Michael's's Avatar
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    • Posts: 120
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    For the 4 Markers you need to briefly tell the examiner exactly what the question is asking. Please let me stress that you do not bullet point the answers but in a way list them with a small amount of explanation. It should take no longer than 6 lines. The 6 markers require a bit more explanation but less points. Aim to write at least half a page but if you can write more and have the time then definitely do so! Now, with the 10 markers, aim to try and write about a page.

    Love
    -Michael
  4. Kim07's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 47
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    Just wondering, is it possible to get an A* over all when you've got B/C for your controlled assessment(30%)? I heard that grade boundary is something like 90% for an A*..
    I know that this question is not very relevant for this thread, but I was hoping that someone would know?
    Thank you!
  5. merrrrr's Avatar
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    • Posts: 149
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    ^ Im the same as you. I recieved a B for my coursework (36/50) which was really disappointing, as I'm aiming for an A*
  6. J.Star's Avatar
    • Peer Of The TSR Realm
    • Posts: 1,538
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by Kim07)
    Just wondering, is it possible to get an A* over all when you've got B/C for your controlled assessment(30%)? I heard that grade boundary is something like 90% for an A*..
    I know that this question is not very relevant for this thread, but I was hoping that someone would know?
    Thank you!
    Yes, I got a very low B in my coursework last year and still got an A* overall
  7. merrrrr's Avatar
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    • Posts: 149
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    Really! Did you revise a lot?! How did you get it exactly!?
  8. Kim07's Avatar
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    • Posts: 47
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by J.Star)
    Yes, I got a very low B in my coursework last year and still got an A* overall
    Ah, that just made my day.. if you don't mind me asking, what percentage did you get in your final exam?
  9. merrrrr's Avatar
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    • Posts: 149
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    It made my day too, I thought there was no hope for either of us haha
  10. Kim07's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 47
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by merrrrr)
    It made my day too, I thought there was no hope for either of us haha
    Haha, there is now thank goodness :')
  11. sazzabazza's Avatar
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    • Posts: 259
    Lol, the German Depth study should be a rave, I got 85% without revision in our mocks.

    This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC Desire
  12. J.Star's Avatar
    • Peer Of The TSR Realm
    • Posts: 1,538
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by Kim07)
    Ah, that just made my day.. if you don't mind me asking, what percentage did you get in your final exam?
    I'm not sure about percentage, but I got 86/90 UMS in the Germany depth study paper and 60/60 UMS in the Britain depth study paper.

    I spent 15 minutes talking over a few points with a couple mates before the Britain paper as my only revision lol. GCSE's are easy, I just finished my As levels, and I would have done anything to have been doing my GCSE's again. Enjoy them whilst they last When do you have the exam?
  13. Rose393's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 23
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by Michael's)
    For the 4 Markers you need to briefly tell the examiner exactly what the question is asking. Please let me stress that you do not bullet point the answers but in a way list them with a small amount of explanation. It should take no longer than 6 lines. The 6 markers require a bit more explanation but less points. Aim to write at least half a page but if you can write more and have the time then definitely do so! Now, with the 10 markers, aim to try and write about a page.

    Love
    -Michael

    for the 6 markers, would u do about 3 explained points ?
  14. Michael's's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 120
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by Rose393)
    for the 6 markers, would u do about 3 explained points ?
    No, I would only do 2 points however explained in great detail. However, if you are struggling to think of enough content on one point then you would have to do 3.
  15. brendonbackflip's Avatar
    • Benevolent Member
    • Posts: 609
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    10 mark question, I'm presuming you mean the last question on paper 2 - it's the easiest question! It'll be a 'do the sources agree/disagree' question, and what you do is split the sources into the two sections e.g a, b, c agree because... and d, e, f disagree because... - explain all the sources and that's 9 marks. For the 10th, talk about reliability of one of the sources. Remember to mention ALL the sources though, or you can only get 2 marks max!

    Glad about the B courseworks getting A* - I was worrying, and I have a high A
  16. MissMuffin95's Avatar
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    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    Does anyone know what grade 43/50 is on the coursework?? x
  17. 15nico360's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 45
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by MissMuffin95)
    Does anyone know what grade 43/50 is on the coursework?? x
    That would be an A like me same score as well and you would be 2 marks off an A*
  18. momo26396's Avatar
    • Respected Member
    • Posts: 198
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by 15nico360)
    That would be an A like me same score as well and you would be 2 marks off an A*
    Actually one mark of an a*!!!!!!!!!!!- According to the grade boundaries the last few years
  19. brendonbackflip's Avatar
    • Benevolent Member
    • Posts: 609
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by MissMuffin95)
    Does anyone know what grade 43/50 is on the coursework?? x
    I got that - an A
  20. Kim07's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 47
    Re: History OCR GCSE exam tips!
    (Original post by J.Star)
    I'm not sure about percentage, but I got 86/90 UMS in the Germany depth study paper and 60/60 UMS in the Britain depth study paper.

    I spent 15 minutes talking over a few points with a couple mates before the Britain paper as my only revision lol. GCSE's are easy, I just finished my As levels, and I would have done anything to have been doing my GCSE's again. Enjoy them whilst they last When do you have the exam?
    Those are one insane marks...:eek:

    12th- Germany etc
    15th-Britain etc..

    Ahh I am worried to sick.. How did you revise for it? Writing(x100) down doesn't seem to work for me..
    Last edited by Kim07; 03-06-2012 at 15:33.
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