OCR AS and A2 History in one year

My friend didn't do Gcse history but she done a level. She was fine with learning content and dates, it's just her writing was quite poor. So she ended up with an E this year. That wasn't a result of her not doing gcse, she had extenuating circumstance and she also hated history too. If you have a passion you probably will get better grades

I did gcse history and I don't think it contributed much to my a level grade. We did ocr history AS and its just so much to learn, I wouldn't advise doing that along with A2. But if you want to, that is your choice

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How did you find it and what grade did you get? I might just do this as an AS level if I can (but i'm not sure if they count to UCAS points due to the new exam system). Can you give me some advice and tips please on how to get a good grade? I think if I find the topics somewhat interesting I can do well as I can do pretty good essays if I understand the topic well and in depth. I also know that History is meant to be a very good subject. Thanks.

I got a B which was v annoying because I wanted an A. But I'm not complaining tbh. I'd say you just need to do a billion essays. I did them so much I started memorizing essays but the ones I memorized didn't come in the exam #unluckym8. There's two papers and they both have different skills. The first one is sources and that's the one I got an A in. Even though the sources this year was absolute ********, I still got an A in that. You just need to learn how to inference and its basc English (which I acc hate?). the second paper is a lot harder imo and its all about learning content and knowing how to write and structure the essay. I can't really give tips without you knowing the content. But as soon as you learn one.topic, do loads of essays. (I got a C in this paper which was such a letdown because I did this paper on my birthday LOL) #doubleunlucky. If you find interest in it, it really helps. But if you aren't getting.at least a C by December, ask your teacher to show and go through sample essays. They're all acc kinda written in the same way. It was only when I saw these essays my mark rose rapidly. (I only started getting As-100% around April). But she should have shown the sample essays latest by February imo, good luck and don't panic, I enjoyed history and I'm sure you will too x

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Thank you for your detailed response, and congrats on your grade, a B is still good!

This will be useful for me if I do decide to choose History AS, I hope I enjoy it.

I did OCR AS History this year and I'll be carrying on for A2, with an A at AS. To be honest, I wouldn't recommend doing both in one year personally. There is a lot of content that you need to revise and remember for AS and the essay technique also needs to be perfected. I revised for three months, about five hours of history at the weekend, and found that quite stressful personally. You would find that essay skills from AS help build up to A2 essays as well, so it may be easier to do it over two years. However, it's up to you in the end and if you feel as if you would be able to cope with it, go for it.

As for doing well in OCR AS History, my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure that you know the content off the back of your hand, so you are comfortable using it exams and you can consider how different events compare to eachother. If you don't understand something in lessons, as your teacher to help you get your head around it before you move on to something new as the knowledge you use builds on previous knowledge a lot. Do lots of past papers, and ask your teachers to mark them and then tell you how to improve. Do so many that the exam structure becomes second nature. If you can get your hands on them, look at essays that other people have done. Your teachers may have access to these. You can look at these, and then look at the grade they got, so you know what to do and what not to do.
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Thank you for your response. I most likely won't be doing the whole A-level in a year but rather the AS, so I don't have to worry about A2 History.

Well done on your grade, I guess all the hours and stress paid off! I will definitely aim to know the content because this makes it possible to get good grade essays (as you said).