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HISTORY-1HI0 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)

HISTORY-1HI0/31

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41

History · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

136

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

Stalinist Society, Medieval/Modern Law Enforcement, and Norman Conquest Control

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

136

Duration

210 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications.

2

The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks.

3

Students who relied on rote learning struggled with the nuanced demands of the 16-mark essays and source-based inquiries, while those trained in structured, factor-led evaluation achieved high marks.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Knowledge and Application (AO2)5
Historical EAO3:4
Source3
UtiliAO4:2
Historical I1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Knowledge and Application (AO2)Knowledge andApplicationHistorical EAO3:Historical EAO3:SourceSourceUtiliAO4:UtiliAO4:Historical IHistorical I
SkillWeightShare
  • Knowledge and Application (AO2)

    Weight: 5100%
  • Historical EAO3:

    Weight: 480%
  • Source

    Weight: 360%
  • UtiliAO4:

    Weight: 240%
  • Historical I

    Weight: 120%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level 9

Approx. 86% of maximum mark

Level 8

Approx. 79% of maximum mark

Level 7

Approx. 72% of maximum mark

Level 6

Approx. 64% of maximum mark

Level 5

Approx. 57% of maximum mark

Level 4

Approx. 49% of maximum mark

Level 3

Approx. 36% of maximum mark

Level 2

Approx. 24% of maximum mark

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

ExplainFrequency: 7

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 2

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

usefulFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “useful” questions.

agreeFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “agree” questions.

GiveFrequency: 1

Match the expected response style for “Give” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 1

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Section B (…55m / 32 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 2 Booklet B1 …25m / 16 marks

Min per mark: 1.6

Paper 3 Section A (…55m / 36 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Paper 1 Section A (…50m / 36 marks

Min per mark: 1.4

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41

52 marks this session

Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present

36 marks this session

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

32 marks this session

Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime, policing and the inner city

16 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41

52
52
52
156

Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present

32
36
36
104

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

32
32
32
96

Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime, policing and the inner city

16
16
32

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 3.4/52023 2023 · 3.4/52024 2024 · 3.5/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1: Thematic Study (Option 10):

52 marks75 min

Paper 2: British Depth Study (Booklet B1):

32 marks55 min

Paper 3: Modern Depth Study (Option 30):

52 marks80 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications.

  • 2Message

    The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks.

  • 3Message

    Students who relied on rote learning struggled with the nuanced demands of the 16-mark essays and source-based inquiries, while those trained in structured, factor-led evaluation achieved high marks.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

History

The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications. The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks. Students

  • The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications.

  • The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks.

  • Students who relied on rote learning struggled with the nuanced demands of the 16-mark essays and source-based inquiries, while those trained in structured, factor-led evaluation achieved high marks.

Total marks
136
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications. The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks. Students who relied on rote learning struggled with the nuanced demands of the 16-mark essays and source-based inquiries, while those trained in structured, factor-led evaluation achieved high marks.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Thematic Study (Option 10):

52 marks75 min

Paper 2: British Depth Study (Booklet B1):

32 marks55 min

Paper 3: Modern Depth Study (Option 30):

52 marks80 min

Top chapters

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–4152 marks
Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present36 marks
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–8832 marks
Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime, policing and the inner city16 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1952 marks
Crime and punishment in Britain36 marks
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England,32 marks
Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime16 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

68% within easy or medium reach

20
72
44
Easy: 20 marksMedium: 72 marksHard: 44 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain7 times
Describe2 times
useful2 times
agree3 times
Give1 times
Suggest1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

136Marks
  • Essay

    (How far do you agree)

    56·3·41%

  • Explain

    (Causation/Difference)

    40·4·29%

  • Source & Interpretation Analysis

    28·5·21%

  • Describe/Infer

    (Short Answer)

    12·3·9%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Norman Castles and…Stalinist Russia: …Crime and Punishme…Whitechapel Histor…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section A (…

0.72 m/min
36
50

Paper 1 Section B (…

0.58 m/min
32
55

Paper 2 Booklet B1 …

0.64 m/min
16
25

Paper 3 Section A (…

0.65 m/min
36
55

Total marks

120

Total time

185 min

Avg pace

0.65

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Stalin's Economic Policies (Five-Year Plans & Collectivisation)

85%

85%

Feudalism and Landholding under William I

80%

80%

Medieval Law Enforcement (Tithings, Hue & Cry, Trials)

78%

78%

Difficulty Verdict

The Summer 2024 examination series represents a standard yet challenging iteration of the Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0) specifications. The papers balanced accessible recall questions with rigorous, analytical source utility (AO3) and historical interpretation (AO4) tasks. Students who relied on rote learning struggled with the nuanced demands of the 16-mark essays and source-based inquiries, while those trained in structured, factor-led evaluation achieved high marks.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 20min
Total marks
52
Weighting
30%
Question types
Source inference, Explain causation, Source utility, Analyze difference between interpretations, Explain reason for difference, Evaluation essay with SPaG

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

HISTORY-1HI0/31 — Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) History (2024) | Revui