When should I start doing AQA A-Level History past papers?

We'd suggest starting topic-by-topic past-paper questions as you finish each section of content, so you're testing yourself while the knowledge is fresh. This helps you identify gaps early and gets you comfortable with AQA's question style from the start. Save 2–3 full timed papers for the final weeks before your exams, that's when you'll want to practise pacing and stamina under exam conditions. Your school will likely run mocks in the spring, which give you a useful halfway checkpoint. Our exam practice lets you filter by topic, so you can work through questions on (for example) just the Tudors or just the Cold War as you go, then move to full papers closer to May/June.

How many past papers should I do?

The honest answer is: as many as you can. We'd suggest working through every available past paper for both your chosen topics, paper 1 (breadth study) and paper 2 (depth study), at least once, then revisiting the ones you found hardest. Past papers are your best tool for understanding how AQA structures essay questions and source questions, and for practising writing under timed conditions. Our exam practice section organises every past paper by topic, so you can drill straight into the questions that matter for your course.

Should I do past papers under timed conditions?

We'd suggest saving pure timed practice for later in your revision, once you've already worked through the content for each topic. That way, you're testing recall and exam technique rather than trying to learn the material under pressure. When you do move to timed papers, they're useful for building stamina, both papers run for 2 hours 30 minutes, and for getting a feel for how much you can write in that window. You'll also spot which question types eat up your time, so you can adjust your strategy. Our exam practice lets you filter by paper and question type, which means you can rehearse specific skills (like handling sources or planning essays) before you attempt a full mock under the clock.

What should I do if I get a low mark on a past paper?

Don't worry, a low mark is just information. **First, diagnose what went wrong.** Look at the mark scheme and identify whether you lost marks on knowledge gaps, essay structure, source analysis, or time management. Once you know where the problem is, you can fix it. **Then rebuild from the weak spots.** If it was knowledge, go back to our notes and flashcards for those topics. If it was essay technique, practise planning answers in five minutes before you write them. If you ran out of time, try working through one paper question every few days under timed conditions so the pace becomes automatic. **Finally, use the paper as a learning tool.** Mark schemes show you exactly what examiners reward, tight argument, precise evidence, direct answers to the question.

How do I mark my own past paper using the AQA mark scheme?

Download the mark scheme from the AQA website alongside the past paper you're marking. Work through the paper question by question, comparing your answers to the indicative content and levels descriptors in the mark scheme. Pay close attention to how AQA awards marks across levels, for essay questions, examiners look for the quality of your argument and use of evidence, not just factual recall. If your answer hits the descriptors for Level 4, you'd award yourself marks in that band; if it's weaker on analysis, you'd place it in Level 3 or below. Use our exam practice tool to see worked examples and examiner commentary that show you what each level looks like in practice. That'll help you spot the difference between, say, a Level 3 explanation and a Level 4 analytical argument when you're marking your own work. Be honest with yourself about gaps, that's where your next round of revision should focus.

A-Level · AQA

History

A-Level · AQA

Notes Quiz Flashcards Past Papers

Work through real A-Level History AQA (7042) past papers and official mark schemes, sorted by year. Or switch to the by-topic view to see past exam questions ordered by topic.

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