A-Level · OCR · History A
OCR A-Level History A (H505) revision for Y113, Y203 and Y320
Past papers from 2017 to 2025 for three OCR units: Britain 1930–1997, the Crusades, and the British Empire. Write your answer, get it marked against the OCR mark scheme with feedback, then rewrite it and compare it with a model answer.
What you'll study
The three OCR History A units on Markaroo
British period study and enquiry. The Churchill enquiry is examined through sources; the period study through essays.
- Churchill’s view of events 1929–1940
- Churchill as wartime Prime Minister
- Churchill and international diplomacy 1939–1951
- Conservative domination 1951–1964
- Labour and Conservative governments 1964–1979
- Thatcher and the end of consensus 1979–1997
- Britain’s position in the world 1951–1997
Non-British period study, examined through a two-factor question and an essay.
- The First Crusade
- The Crusader States in the 12th Century
- The Second Crusade
- The Third Crusade
Thematic study across the whole period, plus three depth studies examined through historians’ interpretations.
- The governance and administration of the Empire
- Opposition to British Rule
- The impact of imperial power on the periphery and Britain
- The British Empire and its impact on international relations
- Depth study: British India, the War of 1857 and its consequences to 1876
- Depth study: Palestine 1914–1948
- Depth study: Nationalism in Kenya 1945–1965
Markaroo covers only these three units. Other options in the British period study (Y101–Y112), non-British period study (Y201–Y224, except Y203) and thematic study (Y301–Y321, except Y320) unit groups are not covered, and neither is the non-exam assessment, the Y100 topic-based essay.
Assessment
How these units are examined
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Y113 (1 hr 30 min) | Section A: one 30-mark source question, assessing how far four sources support a view on Churchill. Section B: one 20-mark essay from a choice of two | 50 · 25% |
| Y203 (1 hr) | Choose one question and answer both parts: a 10-mark question weighing two factors, and a 20-mark essay | 30 · 15% |
| Y320 (2 hr 30 min) | Section A: one 30-mark question evaluating two historians’ interpretations from a depth study. Section B: two 25-mark thematic essays from a choice of three | 80 · 40% |
Markaroo is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OCR. Past papers are attempted and marked inside the app, not offered as downloads.
The remaining 20% of the A-Level is the Y100 topic-based essay, which Markaroo does not cover. Your written answers are marked against the OCR levels mark scheme for each question, with feedback on what would move you up.
Questions
OCR History on Markaroo
Which OCR A-Level History A (H505) units does Markaroo cover?
Three units, one from each examined unit group: Y113 Britain 1930–1997 (British period study and enquiry), Y203 The Crusades and the Crusader States 1095–1192 (non-British period study), and Y320 From Colonialism to Independence: The British Empire 1857–1965 (thematic study and historical interpretations). No other OCR History A units are covered, and neither is the non-exam assessment, the Y100 topic-based essay.
How is OCR A-Level History A assessed?
OCR History A (H505) has three exams and a piece of coursework. The British period study and enquiry is a 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 50 marks (25%). The non-British period study is a 1 hour paper worth 30 marks (15%). The thematic study and historical interpretations paper lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and is worth 80 marks (40%). The topic-based essay is non-exam assessment: a 3000–4000 word essay worth 40 marks (20%).
What kinds of question can I practise?
The question types on all three papers. For Y113, the 30-mark Churchill source question, which asks how far four sources support a view, and the 20-mark essays on Britain 1951–1997. For Y203, the 10-mark question weighing two factors and the 20-mark essay. For Y320, the 30-mark question evaluating two historians’ interpretations from the depth studies, and the 25-mark thematic essays across the whole period.
How does Markaroo mark History answers?
Your answer is marked against the OCR levels mark scheme for that question, and you get a mark with feedback on what to improve. You can then rewrite your answer and have it marked again, and compare your work with a model answer for the question.
Is there a free plan for OCR History on Markaroo?
Yes. The free plan gives you your coach, your technique profile and a live predicted grade, 2 written answers marked free, and the first topic of every unit in revision notes and flashcards, including each note's quick-check quiz, which is always free and never uses up your allowance — no card required. Plus unlocks everything from £6.99 a month (add more subjects for £5 each, with a 7-day free trial): unlimited questions and AI essay marking, every topic, all model answers and the rewrite loop.
I'm studying a different OCR History unit. Is that covered?
Not yet. OCR History on Markaroo currently covers Y113, Y203 and Y320 only. If your school sits a different British period study, non-British period study or thematic study, the questions, notes and flashcards here will not match your papers.