9489 · Cambridge International AS Level
9489/11
Paper 1
History · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
100
180 min
Source-based evaluation and causal explanation across the European, American, and International pathways.
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
100
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In the Document Question (Paper 11), top-performing candidates secured marks in part (a) by identifying precise similarities and differences through direct, like-for-like comparisons backed by specific quotes.
In part (b), high-level marks were awarded to those who evaluated source utility by linking the author’s background, purpose, and audience to the historical context of the event (e.g., using knowledge of Weltpolitik or the Progressive Era strike context).
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
No data available in official reports
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. 60% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 45% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 33% 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
No data available in official reports
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 marks this session
American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 marks this session
International option: International history, 1870–1945 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 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 (Papers 1 and 2)
American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941 (Papers 1 and 2)
International option: International history, 1870–1945 (Papers 1 and 2)
International option: International history, 1870–1945
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921
American option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11: Document Question:
Paper 21: Outline 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 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAmerican option: The history of the USA, 1820–1941 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 marks this session
Practise in RevuiInternational option: International history, 1870–1945 (Papers 1 and 2)
130 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In the Document Question (Paper 11), top-performing candidates secured marks in part (a) by identifying precise similarities and differences through direct, like-for-like comparisons backed by specific quotes.
- 2Message
In part (b), high-level marks were awarded to those who evaluated source utility by linking the author’s background, purpose, and audience to the historical context of the event (e.g., using knowledge of Weltpolitik or the Progressive Era strike context).
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
History
In the Document Question (Paper 11), top-performing candidates secured marks in part (a) by identifying precise similarities and differences through direct, like-for-like comparisons backed by specific quotes. In part (b), high-level marks were awarded to those who evaluated sour
In the Document Question (Paper 11), top-performing candidates secured marks in part (a) by identifying precise similarities and differences through direct, like-for-like comparisons backed by specific quotes.
In part (b), high-level marks were awarded to those who evaluated source utility by linking the author’s background, purpose, and audience to the historical context of the event (e.g., using knowledge of Weltpolitik or the Progressive Era strike context).
- Total marks
- 100
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
In the Document Question (Paper 11), top-performing candidates secured marks in part (a) by identifying precise similarities and differences through direct, like-for-like comparisons backed by specific quotes. In part (b), high-level marks were awarded to those who evaluated source utility by linking the author’s background, purpose, and audience to the historical context of the event (e.g., using knowledge of Weltpolitik or the Progressive Era strike context).
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11: Document Question:
Paper 21: Outline Study:
Top chapters
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 40%
- Question types
- P1 Part (a) Comparative Source Analysis, P1 Part (b) Synthesised Source Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.