GCSE History Exam Predictions 2025: Medicine through Time and the British Sector on the Western Front (Edexcel)

Hello historians, as we gear up for the GCSE Medicine Through Time exam, I know many of you are looking at the vast timeline – from medieval physicians to modern genetics – and wondering where to focus your precious revision time. It’s a huge amount of history!

While there’s no magic crystal ball to tell us exactly what will be on the paper, we can be strategic. By looking closely at the types of questions asked over the last few years (specifically 2020-2024) and the topics covered, we can make some educated guesses about what might be coming up next.

Remember the Structure

First off, remember the exam format is pretty consistent. You’ll always have:

• Section A: The compulsory Western Front section (16 marks total), usually starting with a 'Describe two features...' question (4 marks), followed by source analysis ('How useful are Sources A and B...?') (8 marks) and a source follow-up question (4 marks).

• Section B: Medicine Through Time, where you answer questions totalling 32 marks (plus SPaG marks on the big essay). This typically includes a 4-mark comparison (similarity or difference across periods), a 12-mark 'Explain why...' question, and a choice between two 16-mark 'How far do you agree...?' essays.

Knowing this structure helps you practice the skills needed for each question type.

What Came Up Recently? The Recency Factor

Looking at the 2023 and 2024 papers gives us big clues. The main topics for the 12 and 16-mark questions recently included:

• 2024: Why medieval medicine saw little change (Galen/monasteries); Progress in the Renaissance (Harvey/Great Plague); The role of individuals in prevention from c1700-present (Jenner/campaigns).

• 2023: Improved access to care in the Modern era (hospitals/GPs); Sydenham as a turning point in the Renaissance; Positive attitudes towards medicine c1700-1900 (vaccination/infectious diseases).

The key takeaway? Examiners usually try to cover the breadth of the syllabus over time. Topics that formed the core of these very recent high-mark questions are less likely to be the central focus of a 12 or 16-mark question again straight away. They might pop up in smaller questions or as comparison points, but probably not as the main event.

Focusing the Forecast: The Western Front (Section A)

This section is compulsory, so solid knowledge is vital. Recently, questions have focused on things like new wound treatments (2024), transport problems (2023), the Arras hospital (2022), dressing stations (2021), and the Thomas splint (2020). Source enquiries have looked at CCS work, new techniques, trench foot, blood transfusions, and gas attacks.

So, what might be next? Areas less recently tested include:

• 'Describe Features' (4 marks): Consider focusing on Base Hospitals, the overall Chain of Evacuation, the work of the RAMC or Nurses (perhaps specifically at Base Hospitals), Mobile X-Ray Units, or the Blood Bank set up for Cambrai.

• Source Enquiry (8+4 marks): The focus could shift to the effectiveness of transport (ambulances, terrain impact), the nature and treatment of shell shock, conditions and roles at Base Hospitals, the experiences of nurses, or the development and use of X-rays.

• Quick Tip: For the 4-mark source follow-up, always practice asking a precise historical question and identifying a specific type of source (like an RAMC diary, hospital admission records, a nurse's letter) to find the answer.

  
  

Predicting the Big Hitters: Section B (12 & 16 Markers)

Applying that 'recency' idea and looking for major syllabus areas that haven't had the limelight in 12/16 mark questions recently, some strong contenders emerge:

• Key Gaps:

  • Medieval: The Black Death case study (causes, treatment, prevention attempts) hasn't been a main essay focus lately.

  • Renaissance: While key figures were hit recently, perhaps a question on the limits to change or continuity of ideas/treatments?

  • 18th/19th Century: The Cholera / John Snow case study is a big gap. Koch's specific work (beyond Pasteur) or the reasons behind/impact of the 1875 Public Health Act could feature. Lister and antiseptics might get a deeper look.

  • Modern: Penicillin (Fleming, Florey, Chain) is a huge topic waiting for a big question. The Lung Cancer case study (diagnosis, treatment, government action) is another. The wider impact of the NHS, the role of genetics/DNA, or specific diagnostic tech (scans, tests) are also possibilities.

• Potential 'Explain Why...' (12 marks):

  • Explain why Penicillin's development was so significant.

  • Explain why John Snow's cholera work was important.

  • Explain why surgical progress was slow before the 19th Century.

  • Explain why the government acted more on public health in the later 19th Century.

  • Explain why understanding disease causes improved rapidly c1900-present.

• Potential 'How far do you agree...?' (16 marks):

  • ‘Penicillin was the most important medical breakthrough of the Modern period.’

  • ‘The main reason for 19th C public health improvements was individuals.’ (Focuses the 'individuals' factor on this specific context, different from 2024's broader scope).

  • ‘The Black Death was the most significant turning point in medieval medicine.’

  • ‘Science and technology were the main factor driving surgical improvements c1700-present.’

  • ‘Pasteur’s Germ Theory had a greater impact on preventing illness than treating it c1870-c1914.’

  • ‘Government action has been the most important factor in improving health since 1900.’

    
    

Don't Forget the Shorter Questions (Section B - 4 Markers)

The 4-mark comparison question asks for one similarity or difference between two periods. Recent comparisons have covered Medieval vs Modern treatment/prevention, Renaissance vs 18th/19th C prevention, 18th C vs Modern surgery, and Medieval physician vs Modern GP.

Potential new pairings could be:

• Medieval vs Renaissance ideas about disease cause.

• Renaissance vs 18th/19th Century approaches to home treatment.

• Medieval vs 18th/19th Century training of doctors.

• Black Death (1348) vs Great Plague (1665) prevention methods.

  
  

Final Words of Wisdom

Use these predictions to focus your revision, especially on those potentially 'due' topics like Penicillin, the Black Death, Cholera/Snow, and specific Western Front areas.

BUT – and this is crucial – this is guidance, not gospel! Do not neglect any part of the course. Topics predicted as less likely for big questions can still appear in smaller ones or be needed for context.

• Revise Everything: Ensure you have a solid understanding across all periods.

• Practice Questions: Get comfortable with all the question types.

• Think Thematically: Understand the big factors driving change (individuals, science, government, war, attitudes, etc.) – this is key for top essay marks.

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.

Best of luck.