GCSE History Exam Predictions 2025: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England (Edexcel)

Hello all students, as we gear up for the Edexcel GCSE History exams, particularly Paper B1: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88, many of you are probably wondering where to best focus your revision efforts. It's a big period with lots to learn! While crystal balls are unfortunately not part of our historical toolkit, we can look at past exam papers to make some educated guesses about what topics might be coming around the corner.

Let's look for clues in what's been asked recently, what comes up frequently, and – perhaps most importantly – what significant parts of the story haven't been the focus for a while. Remember though, these are just informed predictions, not guarantees! The examiners can always surprise us, so revising the whole course thoroughly is still essential.

Looking Back: What Came Up in 2024?

First, let's see what topics were covered in last year's (2024) exam. Knowing this helps us gauge what might be less likely to appear in the same way immediately:

• A 4-mark question on features of Anglo-Saxon government.

• A 12-mark question asking why the Normans built so many castles.

• A 16-mark question evaluating Edgar the Aethling's claim to the throne.

• Another 16-mark question assessing the relationship between William I and his son, Robert, focusing on Robert's ambition.

While the themes (like Norman control or succession) are always relevant, these specific questions having just been asked makes them less probable for the upcoming exam.

Looking back at the papers from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, a few themes definitely stand out:

• Norman Control is Big: They seem to love asking how William the Conqueror actually managed to take control and keep it. Questions about castles pop up quite a bit (why they were built, their importance), as well as how William rewarded his followers and dealt with rebellions.

• Power Struggles Galore: The drama around who got the throne in 1066 is a regular feature – think about the different claimants (like Edgar the Aethling, who came up recently) and the power of the Godwins. Even later struggles, like the tricky relationship between William and his son Robert, have been tested in the last couple of years.

• Key Events: Major events like the Battle of Hastings (features of the fighting) and the Battle of Stamford Bridge (why Harold won) have had their moments.

  
  

Spotting the Gaps: What Might Be Overdue?

Now for the interesting part! If certain topics have been asked a lot recently, especially in the big 12 or 16-mark questions, the examiners might decide to focus elsewhere next time to cover more of the syllabus. Based on what hasn't been the main focus in 2023 and 2024, here are some areas that look a bit 'overdue' for a starring role:

• The Feudal System in Detail (Key Topic 3): We haven't recently had a big question digging into the nitty-gritty of how feudalism actually worked – the hierarchy (king, barons, knights, peasants), homage, knight service, forfeiture etc. It was fundamental to Norman England, so it feels like a strong possibility.

• The Church Under the Normans (Key Topic 3): Specifically, the 'Normanisation' of the Church. Think about Archbishop Lanfranc replacing Stigand, his reforms (tackling church corruption, building cathedrals), and the changing relationship between the King and the Church. This whole area seems ripe for exploration.

• The Revolt of the Earls (1075) (Key Topic 2): This is a big one! A major rebellion led by Norman earls against William I, and it hasn't really featured in the last four years' papers at all. The reasons for it, why it failed, and its significance could definitely form a question.

• Domesday Book/Survey (Key Topic 3): While mentioned in passing, a question dedicated to why William ordered the survey, how it was done, and what it tells us about Norman government and finance hasn't been a main focus recently.

• Changes in Landownership (Key Topic 2): The massive transfer of land from Anglo-Saxons to Normans was a huge consequence of the Conquest. While linked to rebellions in past questions, the overall process and its impact haven't been the sole focus of a recent big question.  

  
  

Understanding the Questions

Remember, the paper has different question types:

• 4-markers ('Describe two features...'): These are usually about recalling specific facts. Quick knowledge check!

• 12-markers ('Explain why...'): These ask for causes or reasons. You need to build an argument with a few points, explaining why something happened, backed up by your knowledge.

• 16-markers ('How far do you agree?...'): The big one! They give you a statement (often saying one factor was the main reason/consequence) and ask you to evaluate it. You need to argue both for and against the statement, using lots of specific knowledge, and reach a clear conclusion/judgment.

  
  

My Top Predictions for Your Exam (Educated Guesses!)

Here are the topics we think have a high chance of appearing in a significant way (probably as a 12 or 16-marker):

1. The Feudal System: How it worked, why it was introduced, its impact.

2. Normanisation of the Church: Lanfranc's reforms, replacing Anglo-Saxon clergy, impact on the Church.  

3. The Revolt of the Earls (1075): Causes, events, failure, significance.

4. Domesday Book/Survey: Reasons for it, what it contained, its importance for William's rule.

5. Changes in Landownership (1066-87): The process, scale, and impact of land transfer.

   
   

Other possibilities (Moderate Chance): Maybe a return to the reasons for William's victory at Hastings (perhaps focusing on tactics or leadership), specific details about Anglo-Saxon society/economy (could be a 4-marker), or the story of Hereward the Wake.

How to Use These Predictions Wisely

1. Don't Panic! These are just predictions based on patterns. The only way to be truly sure is to revise everything.  

2. Focus: If any of the 'High Probability' topics are areas you feel weak on, definitely spend extra time shoring up your knowledge there. Make sure you know the key people, dates, events, and significance.  

3. Don't Ignore Recent Topics: Just because something came up last year doesn't mean you can forget it! You still need that knowledge for context and comparison in your essays.

4. Practice the Skills: Knowing the facts is only half the battle. Practice planning and writing answers for the 12-mark 'explain why' and 16-mark 'how far do you agree?' questions. Use past paper questions!

5. Connect the Dots: History isn't just isolated facts. Think about how these topics link together (e.g., how landownership changes led to revolts, how the feudal system helped William control the land).

   
   

A Final Word (and a Reality Check!)

Predicting exams is always a bit of a guessing game. Examiners can, and sometimes do, surprise us! So please, pleasedon't only revise these predicted topics. Use this as a guide to focus your efforts, especially on areas you know need work, but aim to have a solid grasp of the whole c1060-88 period.  

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or unsure where to focus, our GCSE guides for Edexcel at Kingsbridge Education are packed with what you actually need such as clear summaries, countless model answers and integrated flashcards and quizzes to test yourself before the exam. Find out more here.

Work smart, revise consistently, and practice those exam techniques. You've got this! Now, any questions before we move on?