There is no coursework component needed to complete IGCSE or GCSE History for AQA GCSE History (8145), Cambridge IGCSE History (0470), or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) (4HI1) courses. That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the courses, so read through the syllabus and the specification and choose carefully.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE History, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE History (0470). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Biology offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE History, so I am familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE History (0470). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE Biology offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at CAIE, Pearson Edexcel and AQA:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at CAIE, Pearson Edexcel and AQA:
AQA GCSE History (8145)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse/history-8145
Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-history-0470/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (9-1) (4HI1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-history-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse/history-8145
Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-history-0470/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (9-1) (4HI1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-history-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to exam board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
AQA GCSE History (8145)
- Wilkes, A. (2018) AQA GCSE History Conflict and Tension: First World War, 1894 - 1918. ISBN: 9780198429005 [Endorsed]
- Williams, T. & Waterson, L. (2016) AQA GCSE History British Depth Studies c1066 - 1685. ISBN: 9780198370123 [Endorsed]
- Longley, W. (2016) AQA GCSE History Conflict and Tension, 1918 - 1939. ISBN: 9780198370116 [Endorsed]
- Wilkes, A. (2016) AQA GCSE History Germany 1890 - 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship. ISBN: 9780198370109 [Endorsed]
- Wilkes, A. et al. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Thematic Studies c790 - Present Day. ISBN: 9780198370130 [Endorsed]
- Wilkes, A. (2017) AQA GCSE History America 1920 - 1973: Opportunity and Inequality. ISBN: 9780198412625 [Endorsed]
- Wilkes, A. & Bruce, L. (2017) AQA GCSE History: Conflict and Tension in Asia, 1950 - 1975. ISBN: 9780198412649 [Endorsed]
- Williams, T. (2017) AQA GCSE History: Conflict and Tension between East and West, 1945 - 1972. ISBN: 9780198412663 [Endorsed]
- Royle, W. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Elizabethan England c1568 - 1603. ISBN: 9781471864292 [Endorsed]
- Wilkinson, A. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Health and the People. ISBN: 9781471864216 [Endorsed]
- Wilkinson, a. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Medieval England - the Reign of Edward 1, 1272 - 1307. ISBN: 9781471864261 [Endorsed]
- Whitburn, R & Mohamud, A. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Migration, Empires and the People. ISBN: 9781471886249 [Endorsed]
- Clarke, H. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Norman England 1066 - c1100. ISBN: 9781471863424 [Endorsed]
- Wilkinson, A. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Power and the People. ISBN: 9781471861512 [Endorsed]
- Podesta, E. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Restoration England 1660 - 1685. ISBN: 9781471864322 [Endorsed]
- Ferriby, D. & Martin, D. (2016) AQA GCSE History: Understanding the Modern World. ISBN: 9781471862946 [Endorsed]
Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)
- Flint, A. & Jack, S. (2018) Approaches to learning and teaching History: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781108439879 [Endorsed]
- Harrison, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Core Content Option B: Workbook 1: The 20th Century: International Relations since 1919. ISBN: 9781510421202 [Endorsed]
- Walsh, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Option B: The 20th Century, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510421189 [Endorsed]
- Harrison, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Option B: The 20th Century: Online Teacher's Guide, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510424104 [Endorsed]
- Grey, P. et al. (2017) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Option B: The 20th Century Coursebook. ISBN: 9781108439497 [Endorsed]
- Bough, J. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Option B: The 20th Century Teacher's Resource. ISBN: 9781108455084 [Endorsed]
- Harrison, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Workbook 2A: Depth Study Russia, 1905 - 41. ISBN: 9781510448308 [Endorsed]
- Harrison, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Workbook 2B: Depth Study Germany, 1918 - 45. ISBN: 9781510448575 [Endorsed]
- Harrison, B. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level History Workbook 2C: Depth Study The USA, 1919 - 41. ISBN: 9781510448582 [Endorsed]
- Ennion, R. (2015) 20th Century History for Cambridge Revision Guide. ISBN: 9780198332602
- Parsons, R. (2003) GCSE History: Complete Revision & Practice. ISBN 9781841463759
Pearson Edexcel International History (9-1) (4HI1)
- Taylor, S. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: Dictatorship and Conflict in the USSR, 1924–1953: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185466 [Endorsed]
- Taylor, K. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: A Divided Union: Civil Rights in the USA, 1945–1970: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185367 [Endorsed]
- Kelly, N. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: A World Divided: Superpower Relations, 1943–1972: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185442 [Endorsed]
- Warren, C. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: Changes in Medicine, c1848–c1948: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185404 [Endorsed]
- Moffatt, S. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: Conflict, Crisis and Change: China, 1900–1989: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185374 [Endorsed]
- Brash, H. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: Conflict, Crisis and Change: The Middle East, 1919–2012: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185411 [Endorsed]
- Payne, V. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: Development of Dictatorship: Germany 1918–1945: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185381 [Endorsed]
- Blair, G. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: The Changing Role of International Organisations: the League and the UN, 1919–2011: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185398 [Endorsed]
- Rees, R. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: The Origins and Course of the First World War, 1905–1918: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185428 [Endorsed]
- Bircher, R. (2017) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) History: The Soviet Union in Revolution, 1905–1924: Student Book. ISBN: 9780435185435 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE History
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSE or GCSE History. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/
This is a subscription site, crammed full with lesson plans, PowerPoints and resources for students and teachers. You can download samples to see the quality of the resources, and there are options for subscription services.
http://spartacus-educational.com/
This site is information dense, so perhaps more useful as a reference for teachers. It can be very helpful for teachers who are building up source-based materials.
http://www.johndclare.net/
One of the best sites, for students and teachers. Collapsible revision pages are comprehensive and each topic area is full of information and source materials.
http://www.activehistory.co.uk/
This subscription-based site is continually evolving. It has been an excellent tool for students, with timeline newsfeeds, interactive segments, cloze passages, and cartoon source work exercises on a variety of topics.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/
On this revision site, there are some interactive activities that the students found amusing (and informative). This can be a good tool for revision or for note-taking.
https://alphahistory.com/about-alpha-history/
This website is one of the most useful places to go, especially if you want to understand History concepts, or some of the particular topics that may be on your syllabus.
http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision.html
These are revision podcasts, by a British History teacher. Always full of useful information.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn1_t_cxB3NN2nRPG-O7VNQ
Robert Trio's YouTube channel is packed with my favorite History videos on 20th Century options. I only recently stumbled upon his high quality work, and I use his videos with all History students now. Thank you!
www.cartoons.ac.uk
An archived site of cartoons from a number of political cartoonists. You can look at the cartoons, or purchase them.
www.punchcartoons.com
Another site of political cartoons that can be useful for source material.
http://chnm.gmu.edu/tah/
If you need to teach topics from American History (a required credit course for American high schoolers), this is a great site to visit.
http://besthistorysites.net/american-history/#sites
This is another great portal for American History topics.
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/
The US Library of Congress resource has plenty of information here on US History.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/
The UK National archives also has plenty of information on History, so spend some time here as well.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
This is a subscription site, crammed full with lesson plans, PowerPoints and resources for students and teachers. You can download samples to see the quality of the resources, and there are options for subscription services.
http://spartacus-educational.com/
This site is information dense, so perhaps more useful as a reference for teachers. It can be very helpful for teachers who are building up source-based materials.
http://www.johndclare.net/
One of the best sites, for students and teachers. Collapsible revision pages are comprehensive and each topic area is full of information and source materials.
http://www.activehistory.co.uk/
This subscription-based site is continually evolving. It has been an excellent tool for students, with timeline newsfeeds, interactive segments, cloze passages, and cartoon source work exercises on a variety of topics.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/
On this revision site, there are some interactive activities that the students found amusing (and informative). This can be a good tool for revision or for note-taking.
https://alphahistory.com/about-alpha-history/
This website is one of the most useful places to go, especially if you want to understand History concepts, or some of the particular topics that may be on your syllabus.
http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision.html
These are revision podcasts, by a British History teacher. Always full of useful information.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn1_t_cxB3NN2nRPG-O7VNQ
Robert Trio's YouTube channel is packed with my favorite History videos on 20th Century options. I only recently stumbled upon his high quality work, and I use his videos with all History students now. Thank you!
www.cartoons.ac.uk
An archived site of cartoons from a number of political cartoonists. You can look at the cartoons, or purchase them.
www.punchcartoons.com
Another site of political cartoons that can be useful for source material.
http://chnm.gmu.edu/tah/
If you need to teach topics from American History (a required credit course for American high schoolers), this is a great site to visit.
http://besthistorysites.net/american-history/#sites
This is another great portal for American History topics.
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/
The US Library of Congress resource has plenty of information here on US History.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/
The UK National archives also has plenty of information on History, so spend some time here as well.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.