QCE Modern History 2025 Paper 1
Walkthrough of the 2025 QCE modern history exam: what it assessed, strategy tips, and the common errors flagged in the official marker report.
- Marks
- 80
- Time
- 90 min
- Authority
- QCAA
- Updated
What this paper assessed
The paper assessed source analysis and extended response on the prescribed studies, covering political change, conflict, and ideology. Markers wanted explicit use of source detail, attribution, and corroboration with own knowledge. The essay required a sustained line of argument backed by specific evidence. The 2025 paper is the most recent, and the marker reports show patterns that are still likely to recur next sitting.
Strategy
For source items, quote a short phrase, identify the technique, then link to the historical context. Plan the essay with a thesis sentence and three signposted body paragraphs before writing. Cite at least one historian view or named contemporary figure in each paragraph.
Common errors students made
Students often described sources without analysing them, drifted into narrative storytelling in the essay, and used vague time markers like back then. Many ignored the specific verb in the prompt such as assess, evaluate, or to what extent.
Linked resources
For full questions and the official marking report, see the QCE authority page linked in the frontmatter above.
Use this paper well
- Sit the paper under exam conditions (90 minutes, 80 marks).
- Mark yourself against the official QCAA marking notes.
- Compare against the Modern History hub to find the syllabus dot points this paper tested.