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About AQA GCSE History
AQA GCSE History is code 8145, and it has two written papers of two hours each. Both are worth 84 marks, including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar, and both carry 50% of the GCSE. All marks are scaled at one, so the total scaled mark is 168. It is untiered, entered on a code made of 8145 plus two letters, where the first letter indicates the pair of Paper 1 topics and the second indicates the pair of Paper 2 topics. The entry code therefore records what a student has actually studied.
The course shape is prescribed by AQA rather than left open. Students are required to study one thematic study across a long timescale which must cover all three specified eras, one period study covering a medium timespan of at least 50 years, two depth studies on a short timescale with one British and one European or wider world and taken from different eras, and a study of the historic environment focused on a particular site in its historical context. AQA also sets a balance rule: British history must form a minimum of 40% of the assessed content over the full course.
The historic environment study worries families more than it should. It is a required component, but AQA states plainly that there is no requirement to visit the site. The study can be linked to any other part of the course or stand alone, and it asks students to understand the relationship between a place and historical events and developments. So it is a research task about a site in context, not a trip.
The two papers are the same size but they are not the same exam. Paper 1, Understanding the modern world, gives six compulsory questions in Section A and four in Section B, both for 40 marks, while Paper 2, Shaping the nation, gives four compulsory questions in each section. AQA's objective weightings also shift: the source objective and the interpretation objective are each worth 10 on Paper 1 and 5 on Paper 2, while explaining and analysing with second-order concepts rises from 13.75 to 21.25. If you want to see how GCSE History compares across boards, the subject page sets them side by side.
Who AQA GCSE History Is For
This course suits students sitting AQA GCSE History 8145 who need all four prescribed studies taught properly, and who need Paper 1 and Paper 2 prepared as the different exams they are.
- Year 10 and Year 11 students sitting AQA GCSE History 8145 this year
- Families who are not sure which four studies the school has chosen, and want the entry code explained
- Students who are strong on narrative but lose marks on source and interpretation questions
- Students preparing Paper 2 as though it were the same shape as Paper 1
- Private candidates, who can enter this subject since no site visit is required
AQA GCSE History: The Board We Cover
AQA is the board this page covers. Every fact here comes from AQA's own 8145 specification.
AQA
AQA's GCSE History is code 8145, untiered, with two papers of 2 hours and 84 marks each. Students take four prescribed studies, and the entry code is 8145 plus two letters recording which topic pairs were chosen. A study of the historic environment is required, but AQA states there is no requirement to visit the site.
How Centaurus Helps AQA GCSE History Students Excel
All Four Studies Taught
One thematic, one period, two depth studies and the historic environment are each required, so the course is planned around AQA's prescribed shape rather than a loose reading list.
Sources and Interpretations Taught Properly
The source objective and the interpretation objective are both larger on Paper 1, so those skills are practised as distinct tasks rather than folded into general essay writing.
Second-Order Concepts Made Explicit
Continuity, change, cause, consequence, significance, similarity and difference are the concepts AO2 is built on, so students learn to use them by name and with purpose.
Each Paper's Question Rhythm
Paper 1 Section A asks six questions for 40 marks where Paper 2 Section A asks four, so both rhythms are practised rather than one.
The Historic Environment Without a Trip
AQA states there is no requirement to visit the site, so the study is prepared as research into a place in its historical context, using evidence rather than travel.
24/7 Progress Reporting
Families get access to the Centaurus Academy LMS, with attendance, progress and lesson notes available to parents, students and teachers at any time.
Why Centaurus Stands Out
Choosing the right AQA GCSE History support makes a real difference. Here is how Centaurus Academy compares with typical online providers.
Meet our Team Of Experts
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What Parents Say About Us
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AQA GCSE History: Frequently Asked Questions
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