AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) | 2025 Latest Papers, Mark Schemes & Inserts (2017–2025)
- Lucy Pennington
- Jan 20
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 15
AQA GCSE History past papers (9–1) are one of the most effective ways to revise for the exam. This page provides the latest AQA GCSE History papers, mark schemes and source inserts for all topics including Germany, Conflict and Tension, America, Migration, Norman England, Elizabethan England and more.
These free downloads cover recent exam series and are updated each year to help students prepare for their 2026 GCSE exams and beyond.
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2025
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Topic | Question Paper |
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | |
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | |
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | |
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | |
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia, 1950–1975 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation
Topic | Question Paper |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | |
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 |
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2024
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation | ||
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | ||
Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism | ||
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | ||
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | ||
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | ||
Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. | ||
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 | ||
Section B/E: Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan,1990 - 2009 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | ||
Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day | ||
Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day | ||
Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 | ||
Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 | ||
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 | ||
Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 |
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2023
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World (June 2023)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation | ||
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | ||
Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism | ||
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | ||
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | ||
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | ||
Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. | ||
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 | ||
Section B/E: Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan,1990 - 2009 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation (June 2023)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | ||
Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day | ||
Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day | ||
Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 | ||
Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 | ||
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 | ||
Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 |
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2022
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World (June 2022)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation | ||
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | ||
Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism | ||
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | ||
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | ||
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | ||
Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. | ||
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 | ||
Section B/E: Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan,1990 - 2009 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation (June 2022)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | ||
Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day | ||
Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day | ||
Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 | ||
Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 | ||
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 | ||
Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 |
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2021
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World (June 2021)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation | ||
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | ||
Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism | ||
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | ||
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | ||
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | ||
Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. | ||
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation (June 2021)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | ||
Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day | ||
Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day | ||
Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 | ||
Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 | ||
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 | ||
Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 |
AQA GCSE History Past Papers (9–1) – June 2020
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World (June 2020)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation | ||
Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship | ||
Section A/C: Russia, 1894–1945: Tsardom and communism | ||
Section A/D: America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality | ||
Section B/A: Conflict and tension: the First World War 1894-1918. | ||
Section B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918-1939. | ||
Section B/C: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945-1972. | ||
Section B/D: Conflict and tension in Asia,1950–1975 | ||
Section B/E: Conflict and tension in the Gulf and Afghanistan,1990 - 2009 |
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation (June 2020)
Topic | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Section A/A: Britain: Health and the people:c1000 to the present day | ||
Section A/B: Britain: Power and the people:c1170 to the present day | ||
Section A/C: Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day | ||
Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100 | ||
Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I,1272–1307 | ||
Section B/C: Elizabethan England, c1568–1603 | ||
Section B/D: Restoration England, 1660–1685 |
Frequently Asked Questions – AQA GCSE History (9–1)
Are recent AQA GCSE History past papers harder than older papers?
Recent AQA GCSE History papers often feel more challenging because they focus more heavily on analytical skills, source evaluation and extended judgement. However, the core knowledge and question styles remain consistent. Students who practise both recent and older papers gain a strong advantage because they understand how the exam has evolved while building confidence across a wide range of topics
How are marks awarded in AQA GCSE History exams?
Marks are awarded based on knowledge, explanation, analysis and evaluation. This is particularly important in History because it is a humanities subject, meaning there is often more than one valid interpretation. Examiners reward clear argument, precise evidence and strong judgement rather than memorised facts alone. Understanding the mark scheme helps students avoid common mistakes and maximise their marks.
What do Grade 9 students do differently in AQA GCSE History?
Top students go beyond memorisation. They practise structured essays, develop strong judgement, and regularly review mark schemes to understand examiner expectations. They also focus on evaluation, balance and precise evidence. This strategic approach is often the difference between a Grade 7 and a Grade 9.
Should I use AQA GCSE History past papers even if I do not know all the content yet?
Yes. Past papers are valuable even before content is fully secure because they develop key skills such as source analysis, essay structure and time management. Many high-performing students use past papers early in their revision to identify weak areas and improve exam confidence. Over time, knowledge and exam skills develop together.
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