HISTORY-9HI0 · Pearson Edexcel A Level
HISTORY-9HI0/21
Depth study (Option 2A)
History · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
160
360 min
Royal authority, leadership challenges, and the impact of diplomacy vs. military power
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII).
The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative skills across medieval eras, and rigorous integration of contrasting historical interpretations.
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.
ConstructingAO2:
Weight: 3100%Evaluating cAO3:
Weight: 267%Analyzing Coding
Weight: 133%
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A*
Approx. 87% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 79% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 54% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 30% 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
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Britain, 1399–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
60 marks this session
The crusades, c1095–1204
60 marks this session
England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89
40 marks this session
Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106
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
The crusades, c1095–1204
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509
England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89
Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106
Britain, 1399–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
Germany and West Germany, 1918–89
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations (Option 1A: The crusades, c1095–1204):
Paper 2: Depth study (Option 2A: Anglo-Saxon/Henry II):
Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth (Option 30):
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
Britain, 1399–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
60 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe crusades, c1095–1204
60 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEngland and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAnglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII).
- 2Message
The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative skills across medieval eras, and rigorous integration of contrasting historical interpretations.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
History
This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII). The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative ski
This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII).
The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative skills across medieval eras, and rigorous integration of contrasting historical interpretations.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII). The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative skills across medieval eras, and rigorous integration of contrasting historical interpretations.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations (Option 1A: The crusades, c1095–1204):
Paper 2: Depth study (Option 2A: Anglo-Saxon/Henry II):
Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth (Option 30):
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.
75% 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.
Analytical Breadth/Depth Essay
100·5·50%
Primary Source Evaluation Essay
60·3·30%
Historical Interpretations Essay
40·2·20%
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 1 Section A (
0.50 m/minTotal marks
10
Total time
20 min
Avg pace
0.50
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Henry VII's financial reforms and judicial mechanics (bonds and recognisances)
85%85%
The significance of the 1066 Norman Conquest changes on Anglo-Saxon land tenure and lordship
80%80%
The military orders and tactical defense of the Crusader States (Krak des Chevaliers, Templars/Hospitallers)
78%78%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 25%
- Question types
- AO2 Dual-Source Utility Evaluation Essay, AO1 In-Depth Thematic Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.