7041 · AQA AS Level
History 7041 Exam Tips
In the high-pressure environment of the 90-minute AQA AS Level History papers, the difference between a Grade A and a Grade C often comes down to the first five minutes. Many candidates make the mistake of immediately putting pen to paper, resulting in descriptive, structureless …
Source: AQA
Papers
2
Total marks
100
Time limit
3h
Grade scale
ABCDEU
Additional note
Calculator policy
A calculator is not normally required for this subject.
Assessment objectives
AO2 vs. AO3: The Great Confusion Where Marks Vanish
2
Papers
5
Strategies
8
Mistakes
- In the high-pressure environment of the 90-minute AQA AS Level History papers, the difference between a Grade A and a Grade C often comes down to the first five minutes. Many candidates make the mistake of immediately putting pen to paper, resulting in descriptive, structureless essays that run out of steam. Top scorers, however, employ a disciplined reading and planning habit before writing. For both Component 1 (Breadth) and Component 2 (Depth), you have exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes to earn 50 marks. The recommended time split is 50 minutes for Section A and 40 minutes for Section B. Spend the first 5 minutes of each section reading the prompts with extreme care. In Section A, highlight the core arguments of the two extracts or sources. In Section B, read both essay options and choose the one where you can provide the most precise chronological evidence, rather than the topic you simply 'like' the most.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.