Support for GCSE History teachers
With the first GCSE exams fast approaching, we would like to make sure you’re equipped
with the key information of how we’ll be supporting you both before and after results day.
Common questions asked by teachers
Here are responses to some of the FAQs we’re receiving from teachers about the new GCSE exams:
- Will the exams take place in order?
Yes. Paper 1 is examined on 4 June, Paper 2 on 8 June, and Paper 3 on 12 June.
- Will the exams be suitable for the full ability range of students?
Yes, the papers have been designed to assess the abilities of all students. We are the only Board to use stimulus points in questions which students may use to help frame their answer (they do not have to use these). We have ramped the questions throughout the papers, and used engaging sources and interpretations to support all students.
- Where can I find more information about the assessments?
The Getting Started Guide is a very useful document and provides lots of detail on the requirements of each question.
Preparing for the assessments
Our assessments are designed to be as transparent and consistent as possible, so teachers and students can go into the exams with confidence. The live papers will follow the structure and style of our published sample assessment materials and specimen papers, with consistent command words, helpful stimulus points and engaging sources and interpretations.
You can download the presentation and delegate documents for our Getting Ready To Teach training event. The qualification page also contains other training materials, including how to teach the thematic study and mocks marking as well as several packs of exemplar responses.
Download teaching and learning materials from our qualification page
Ask our Subject Advisor
As you know, our team of experts is always ready to help. You can get in touch with our History Subject Advisor, Mark Battye, by contacting us or via Twitter @Pearson_History.
Don’t forget that you can stay up-to-date with important qualification information and History-related news, by signing up to Mark’s History Subject Advisor Updates.
Post-results day services
The results day for GCSE is on 23 August 2018.
You’ll be pleased to know that, as per last summer, you’ll be able to download your students’ summer 2018 examination scripts free of charge using the Access to Scripts Self-Service Portal. Please ensure that you have obtained consent from the candidates before requesting scripts.
If you have queries about this summer’s results, you can get access to scripts and apply for an EAR (Enquiry About Results). Information on the post-results services available – including details of prices and relevant deadlines – can be found on our website.
However, you can have confidence and trust in the results your students receive from us, as research from Ofqual across all exam boards shows that the summer 2017 exam results released by Pearson, across all GCSE and A level subjects, were the most accurate of all. 99.2% of our grades were accurate on results day, fewer Pearson GCSE and A level grades were challenged and fewer grades were changed than those of any other major exam board.
You will be able to download the Summer 2018 question papers and mark schemes from the relevant qualification page from early August, and the examiner reports will be available from results day.
ResultsPlus will be available for you to analyse your students’ results in detail. You will be able to use your Edexcel online username and password to access ResultsPlus.
Principal Examiner reports will be available via ResultsPlus from results day and will be on the qualification pages a few days later.
We will also be producing some pre-recorded training presentations in which each Paper’s Principal Examiner talks through the exams’ performance and strategies for improving teaching and learning.
In addition, a series of free network events – both online and face-to-face – will be available to attend during the Autumn term.
We hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at teachinghistory@pearson.com
