GCSE AQA History Topic Tests: Paper 1

Prepare your students for the all-exam-based 2016 GCSE specification with these large banks of topic-by-topic questions. Ideal for identifying gaps in knowledge in class, homework or as revision in time for exams!

A student who has completed these tests and checked for any answers they did not manage to get will be very well-prepared to answer any subject that comes up

K White, Head of History & Peer Reviewer

Exposes students to the types of questions they could meet in an exam – including source-based questions.

Extremely rigorous in how it addressed the syllabus so completely

K White, Head of History & Peer Reviewer
  • Engages your class with a range of question formats including mind maps, timeline tasks and match-ups
  • Includes a detailed user-friendly mark scheme for easy marking
  • Provided in both write-on 'practice-exam' and 'question-only' formats
  • PLUS self-/peer-assessment sheets – great for AfL

What do teachers say about this resource? (10025)

I liked this resource... Questions were varied... I particularly liked the intended provision of write on and non-write on questions giving teachers the choice and that answers were kept separate... The resource enhances learning by consolidating knowledge and allowing students/teachers to see where they have gaps. Its educational value is to provide both with a sense of reassurance that the whole specification has been covered in a detailed manner. Also the self-assessment sheet will provide useful pedagogical hints for improving standards... The presentation/layout was user friendly... It matches the specification well.

L Ashley, HoD & Peer Reviewer

Notable for its thoroughness in testing the content of this syllabus.

A student who has completed these tests and checked for any answers they did not manage to get will be very well-prepared to answer any subject that comes up.

Extremely rigorous in how it addressed the syllabus so completely. The answers are very impressively done.

The tests are suitable for all levels and are particularly suited to those who would wish to work hard, which can only be for the good.

It is the sheer detail that really impresses with this set of tests. Not least in the answers given, which will be a rich resource for teachers.

The tests follow the specification and also provide a steady slow but sure development of both knowledge and skills that ends up as a very good exercise in History.

A very good resource.

K White, Head of History & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10079)

These topic tests are focused and clear. The mark scheme is detailed and the author is very clear on the awarding of the marks... I enjoy the topic tests that combine the topics well and have themes within them... The author develops the students ability to answer an exam question by not relying on bespoke short answers... The mark schemes and model answers provided by the author are similar to the exam boards exemplars... I am very impressed with the sheer number of questions.


A Stevenson, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

I like it... I particularly like this resource because: the choice of write-on or non-write on tests and the self-assessment sheets allowed for individual study, especially in current circumstances... It allows me to see students progress particularly if they have been absent or if one takes tests at end of each topic... This is a tremendous life saver and also useful as a diagnostic tests to forecast grades and identify areas which need greater attention.

L Ashley, Head of History, & Customer

This is a very comprehensive resource. The resource covers the majority of the topics and many of the questions target precise events, issues, places etc. which will help support students gaining a wider knowledge of the exam specification. It is clear that the author has played great attention to the AQA specification for the America 1920-73 topic and is keen to try to cover that large topic in as much detail as possible.
I think the resource benefits from the opportunities to break from simple QA and uses the odd diagram, fact file, gap fill exercise. This certainly gives it greater appeal than just a list of questions. For example, the fact file of Sacco and Vanzetti on page 13 gives students an opportunity to recall in a different way to simple questions.
This source is a simple tool which can be marketed for trying to support revision and subject knowledge. As that alone it does a very good job as it covers the main aspects of the course. Therefore, for knowledge and understanding it is very good.
The author has paid great attention to the specification.

M Wilkinson, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (11626)

I liked this resource... It did what it said on the label and was well presented... User friendly.... There was a variety of activities... It enhances learning by consolidating pupils’ knowledge and allowing them to see whether they really understand a topic and whether they have been making progress in a quantifiable manner. Its educational value is to break up revision into manageable sections, so that particularly the less able will not feel overwhelmed. It would also be useful to those home studying/retaking... It matches the specification excellently... Indicative content is very thorough.

L Ashley, HoD & Peer Reviewer

Covers the whole course and provides some questions linked to the spec which will help students to look at the knowledge gaps... I like that I can see how this links to the spec immediately. I also like that there are exam style questions so that this is not a quick check of knowledge but the application of it... This is a useful resource for students and staff in the run up for the exams to aid revision and to figure out the learning gaps of the students leading up to the exams. In lessons these can also be used at the end of each section to be a little assessment on knowledge... The exam style questions are good as well testing the students skills..

C Mainwaring, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (6584)

This resource is very good, it is imperative for this age group to be tested in short bursts frequently to allow for educational learning. This resource allows that in an effective and interesting manner... here is a variety of question types which will keep this age group engaged. I like that they are based on the content of the specification, not just exam questions, so that the teacher can ensure that the students are learning the content.

L Turton, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

A very comprehensive set of tests with a range of different activities (grids, images, matching tasks). These ensure that knowledge is being tested in a variety of ways.

N Shah, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Very useful for revision,both on an interim level and at the end of the course. Learning would be enhanced by careful recording of marks so teachers can see how much progression has been made across the course.

l ashley, HoD,Bartholomews tutorial college,Brighton & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (7099)

Good overall coverage of the topic in terms of the required content.

Effective for content recall.

I liked the coverage of questions from across the course.

It will be effective at helping students to understand the key features of the Cold War between 1945-72.

I Marris, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

This is a well-structured resource, which mirrors the factual content of the specification. It will help pupils in a consolidation of the facts.

N Stanley, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10080)

A good resource. It covered the spec quite thoroughly and it was useful having mark schemes separate.
I particularly liked that it could also be used for other courses, at least in part eg IGCSE Stalin(edexcel) or basic revision for AS/A Lenin to Yeltsin.
It would enhance learning through all the ways mentioned in teacher’s intro eg revision/homework/testing/monitoring etc. Its educational value would be to reinforce basic content
It matches and interprets the spec clearly.
I also liked the reordering events and completing tables exercises, and fill in gaps.

L Ashley, HoD & Peer Reviewer