CompetitivePractice + Mock
GCSE History
AQA 8145 · Period studies + Wider world + Thematic + British depth
105
Minutes
20
Questions
235,000
Learners
~65% (Grade 4)
Pass mark
★ Start here · Official guidance
From practice to the real exam
01
Confirm modules
AQA 8145 picks one option from each of FOUR categories: (1) Period study (e.g. Germany 1890–1945), (2) Wider world depth study (e.g. Conflict and tension 1894–1918), (3) Thematic study (e.g. Health & the People), (4) British depth study + historic environment (e.g. Elizabethan England + site).
02
Master factual content
GCSE History demands precise dates, names, causes, consequences. Make condensed timelines and mind maps per topic.
03
Practice source skills
Source-based questions (utility, comparison, interpretation) appear in every paper. Use the OPCV framework — Origin, Purpose, Content, Validity in context.
04
Two 2-hour papers
Paper 1 covers Period + Wider World study. Paper 2 covers Thematic + British depth + historic environment.
05
Use exam reports
AQA publishes detailed examiner reports — they say exactly what gets marks vs what loses them.
Official resources
Heads up: Links open in a new tab and go to government / awarding-body sites. AceMark is not affiliated — always verify deadlines and fees on the official page.
Recommended prep
Books our community swears by
As an Amazon Associate, AceMark earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
aAmazon
AQA GCSE History — Conflict and Tension 1894–1918
by Oxford
AQA-endorsed Oxford textbook for the Wider World depth study.
View on Amazon
aAmazon
AQA GCSE History — Germany 1890–1945
by Oxford
For the period study option — most popular at this level.
View on Amazon
aAmazon
CGP GCSE History AQA Revision Guide
by CGP
Concise condensed notes for all AQA options.
View on Amazon
Exam blueprint
What this exam covers
Topic weights below mirror the real exam blueprint. To practise any single topic, use the Your study path panel on the right.
01Conflict and tension 1894–1918
20%4 questions
02Germany 1890–1945: Democracy & dictatorship
20%4 questions
03Health & the People (c1000–present)
20%4 questions
04Elizabethan England 1568–1603
20%4 questions
05Source analysis & evaluation
20%4 questions
The experience
What to expect on test day
Timed simulation
Every mock runs under real exam time pressure. No pauses, no hints — exactly like the day.
Randomised questions
Every attempt draws fresh questions. You cannot memorise your way to a pass — you have to understand.
Integrity monitoring
Tab switches are logged in mock mode. Three switches auto-submits — same discipline as a real proctor.
Detailed results
Topic-by-topic breakdown, every answer explained, and a personalised 5-day study plan when you finish.
How to prepare
Competitive study playbook
Four habits that move the needle most — pulled from how high-scorers actually study.
01
Spend the first week entirely on your weakest topic — momentum follows confidence.
02
Previous-year papers are the single highest-ROI study tool. Treat them as gospel.
03
Strict time per question. Most failures are time-management failures, not knowledge failures.
04
For GS: daily current affairs reading is non-negotiable — even 15 minutes compounds.
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