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Edexcel GCSE History

Edexcel GCSE History Paper 2 practice questions

Paper 2 is worth 40% of Edexcel GCSE History. The questions below are original practice questions with worked answers, so you can test yourself the way the real exam will — and see exactly what an examiner is looking for.

What is on Paper 2?

  • Paper 2 covers a period study and a British depth study.
  • It is a written paper of 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 64 marks — 40% of the GCSE.
  • Explanation, narrative account and extended essay questions.
  • Always check the latest specification on your exam board's website, as details can change between exam years.

Paper 2 practice questions with answers

6 original questions across the 3 Paper 2 topics. Try each one before reading the answer.

  1. Edexcel option: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91

    1. Which conference took place after Germany's surrender?

    • • Tehran
    • • Yalta
    • • Potsdam
    • • Munich

    Answer: Potsdam

    July-August 1945, with new leaders and greater tension.

  2. Edexcel option: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91

    2. What was the Truman Doctrine?

    Answer: A US commitment to support free peoples resisting communism — containment

    It shaped US policy for decades.

  3. Edexcel option: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88

    3. Elizabeth became queen in:

    • • 1553
    • • 1558
    • • 1569
    • • 1588

    Answer: 1558

    She inherited debt, war and religious division.

  4. Edexcel option: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88

    4. Name two parts of the 1559 Religious Settlement.

    Answer: Act of Supremacy and Act of Uniformity (plus Royal Injunctions)

    Together they defined the new church.

  5. Second-order concepts and essay technique

    5. Which concept asks 'why did this happen?'

    • • Significance
    • • Causation
    • • Continuity
    • • Similarity

    Answer: Causation

    Causation explains reasons for events.

  6. Second-order concepts and essay technique

    6. What does the 'E' pair in PEEL stand for?

    Answer: Evidence and Explain

    Evidence supports; explanation links it to the question.

Where Paper 2 marks are usually lost

  • Describing events without explaining their causes, consequences or significance.
  • Judging a source's usefulness on content alone, without provenance — who made it, when and why.
  • Writing narrative rather than an argument that answers the question.
  • Missing a supported final judgement in 'how far' and 'how important' essays.
  • Using general knowledge instead of precise dates, names and events.

How to pick up the extended-answer marks

  • Underline the command word and the focus of the question before writing — most dropped marks come from answering a different question.
  • Plan for one or two minutes: three or four points, each backed by evidence and explained.
  • Keep linking back to the question in every paragraph, not just the conclusion.
  • For 'evaluate' or 'how far do you agree' questions, weigh both sides and finish with a clear judgement.

Timing that works under pressure

  • Check the marks per question and give each one time in proportion, keeping spare minutes for checking at the end.
  • Bank the short questions first, then return to the longer answers with your remaining time.
  • If a question stalls for more than two minutes, write down what you know and move on — partial marks still count.
  • Leave five minutes to check spelling of key terms, units and whether any question part was skipped over a page break.

Practise the whole paper in the app

These Paper 2 topics have 220 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.

Open GCSE History Cram mode

Revise each Paper 2 topic

Edexcel History Paper 2 FAQs

What topics are on Edexcel GCSE History Paper 2?
Paper 2 assesses a period study such as Superpower relations and the Cold War, and a British depth study such as Early Elizabethan England.
How long is Edexcel GCSE History Paper 2?
It is a 1 hour 45 minutes written exam worth 64 marks, which is 40% of the GCSE. Check your board's latest specification for any changes.
How should I revise for History Paper 2?
Practise answering questions rather than rereading notes. Short daily sets of five questions per topic, marked straight away, expose weak areas faster than a long passive revision session.

ReviseRush is an independent educational revision aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Pearson or any exam board. All notes and questions are original. Always check content against your official course and specification. No grade outcome is guaranteed.