How do I get an A star in A level history?

I am currently around an C/B grade and I really want to get an A star.
Can you offer some specific advice on how you achieved a high grade (eg. did you make flashcards?) for AQA A level history depth, breadth and coursework.
Thanks

Hi! I achieved an A* in 2024 and yep I used flashcards for EVERYTHING haha. I made flashcards for pretty much everything in the textbooks, which I DO NOT recommend doing because it can get very overwhelming so take this with a pinch of salt haha. I made sure I knew all the content solidly - if you don't understand something fully, take it back to the basics. Watch youtube videos or there are GCSE BBC Bitesize pages for some topics - don't be afraid to use these to solidify your understanding before going back to the A-Level content - particularly if you have never studied the topic before. I also did extra research and memorised quotes by historians, which I could then raise in exams in support of my argument or as something I could challenge to prove my point.
In terms of essays, give your teachers practice essays written in timed conditions as well as making detailed essay plans from memory. In the essays, analysis is key - make sure your line of argument is clear and cohesive throughout.
Specifically for the depth course, practice analysing the sources in the textbooks (for the Oxford AQA textbooks these are usually shorter and have a less detailed provenance than you will be given in the exam but they're still a good place to get some practice in).
For the breadth course, make sure you understand the changes and continuity over time, and have a broad understanding of the chronology. Again, practice analysing the interpretations/extracts given in the textbook.
For the NEA, remember that this is designed to draw together your skills from the two papers. Make sure your line of argument is well-established throughout all your paragraphs as this is what will allow the essay to flow. When choosing sources and interpretations make sure that (for sources) their provenances are detailed enough to allow you to draw on aspects during your analysis, and that you know you have enough to write about.
Hope this was somewhat helpful and if you have any more specific questions please let me know

Hi! Can this also be applied across any exam board? I do Edexcel and I’m on the B/A boarder line and I really want to try push myself to get an A* in history

Hi! I achieved an A* in 2024 and yep I used flashcards for EVERYTHING haha. I made flashcards for pretty much everything in the textbooks, which I DO NOT recommend doing because it can get very overwhelming so take this with a pinch of salt haha. I made sure I knew all the content solidly - if you don't understand something fully, take it back to the basics. Watch youtube videos or there are GCSE BBC Bitesize pages for some topics - don't be afraid to use these to solidify your understanding before going back to the A-Level content - particularly if you have never studied the topic before. I also did extra research and memorised quotes by historians, which I could then raise in exams in support of my argument or as something I could challenge to prove my point.
In terms of essays, give your teachers practice essays written in timed conditions as well as making detailed essay plans from memory. In the essays, analysis is key - make sure your line of argument is clear and cohesive throughout.
Specifically for the depth course, practice analysing the sources in the textbooks (for the Oxford AQA textbooks these are usually shorter and have a less detailed provenance than you will be given in the exam but they're still a good place to get some practice in).
For the breadth course, make sure you understand the changes and continuity over time, and have a broad understanding of the chronology. Again, practice analysing the interpretations/extracts given in the textbook.
For the NEA, remember that this is designed to draw together your skills from the two papers. Make sure your line of argument is well-established throughout all your paragraphs as this is what will allow the essay to flow. When choosing sources and interpretations make sure that (for sources) their provenances are detailed enough to allow you to draw on aspects during your analysis, and that you know you have enough to write about.
Hope this was somewhat helpful and if you have any more specific questions please let me know

this is genuinely so useful. Thank you so much
Would it be better to make my own flashcards from scratch or to use ones that are available online?

I am currently around an C/B grade and I really want to get an A star.
Can you offer some specific advice on how you achieved a high grade (eg. did you make flashcards?) for AQA A level history depth, breadth and coursework.
Thanks

I am currently around an C/B grade and I really want to get an A star.
Can you offer some specific advice on how you achieved a high grade (eg. did you make flashcards?) for AQA A level history depth, breadth and coursework.
Thanks

I am currently around an C/B grade and I really want to get an A star.
Can you offer some specific advice on how you achieved a high grade (eg. did you make flashcards?) for AQA A level history depth, breadth and coursework.
Thanks

Thank you for all of your feedback. I am currently on track for a high A grade. Do you know anyone who would be willing to mark my practice essays and sources? I would give them to my teacher but he usually takes a while to mark them and I don't think his feedback/marking is very reliable as he often uses AI.