9489 · Cambridge International A Level
9489/21
Outline Study
History · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
4.0 / 5
200
360 min
European Option Track (Modern European Revolutions, Interwar Dictatorships, and Great Power Diplomacy)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
200
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
Comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) series, covering Papers 11, 21, 31, and 41, with a primary focus on the European track options.
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
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Source-
Weight: 9100%Based
Weight: 889%Historiographical Analysis
Weight: 778%Multi-Perspective-Perspective-Perspective-Perspective-Perspective- Sustained Argument Syllabus Content
Weight: 556%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 76% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 67% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 59% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 51% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 37% 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
Match the expected response style for “why” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Match the expected response style for “contrast” questions.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 0.8
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921
100 marks this session
European option, Depth study 1: European history in the interwar years, 1919–41
60 marks this session
The origins of the First World War
40 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
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921
European option, Depth study 1: European history in the interwar years, 1919–41
The origins of the First World War
The origins and development of the Cold War
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921 (Papers 1 and 2 (AS Level))
American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941 (Papers 1 and 2 (AS Level))
International option: International history, 1870–1945 (Papers 1 and 2 (AS Level))
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11: Document Question:
Paper 21: Outline Study:
Paper 31: Interpretations Question:
Paper 41: Depth Study:
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
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921
100 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEuropean option, Depth study 1: European history in the interwar years, 1919–41
60 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe origins of the First World War
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
Comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) series, covering Papers 11, 21, 31, and 41, with a primary focus on the European track options.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
History
Comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) series, covering Papers 11, 21, 31, and 41, with a primary focus on the European track options.
Comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) series, covering Papers 11, 21, 31, and 41, with a primary focus on the European track options.
- Total marks
- 200
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
Comprehensive analysis of the May/June 2024 Cambridge International AS & A Level History (9489) series, covering Papers 11, 21, 31, and 41, with a primary focus on the European track options.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11: Document Question:
Paper 21: Outline Study:
Paper 31: Interpretations Question:
Paper 41: Depth Study:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
70% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Paper 4]
60·2·30%
Paper 2 Part b]
40·2·20%
Paper 3]
40·1·20%
Paper 1 Part b]
25·1·13%
Paper 2 Part a]
20·2·10%
Paper 1 Part a]
15·1·8%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Part (a) S
1.33 m/minPaper 11 Part (b) S
0.50 m/minPaper 21 Part (a) C
0.57 m/minPaper 21 Part (b) A
0.57 m/minPaper 31 Historiogr
0.53 m/minPaper 41 Depth Eval
0.57 m/minTotal marks
205
Total time
350 min
Avg pace
0.59
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Russian Revolution: Fall of the Provisional Government and Bolshevik Consolidation
85%85%
First World War Historiography: The Blank Cheque and July Crisis Diplomacy
80%80%
Italian Fascism: Economic Battles and Consolidation of the Corporate State
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 60
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.