A Level 2026 Exam Trends: Cambridge History 9389

Cambridge International A Level History (9389) is assessed with Paper 1 (source-based), Paper 2 (depth study essay), Paper 3 (interpretations). Component titles may vary by option. Here are recent trends for 2026.

Paper format and structure

• 9389 structure is unchanged for 2025–2026: Paper 1 (sources), Paper 2 (essay on depth study), Paper 3 (interpretations/historical debate). Source work: content, inference, reliability, utility; own knowledge to contextualise and evaluate.
• Essay: Structure (intro, argument, conclusion); evidence (factual detail, dates, events); explanation (cause–effect); evaluation/ judgement where asked (e.g. “how far”, “to what extent”).
• Interpretations – compare historians’ views; use own knowledge to evaluate the interpretations; evidence from the period.

Question types and topics that keep coming up

• Source comprehension – what the source says; inference – what we can conclude; support from the source for a statement.
• Source evaluation – reliability (nature, origin, purpose, context); utility (useful for what? limitations?). Own knowledge to contextualise (e.g. author’s motive, when/why produced).
• Essay – explain (cause–effect, factual detail); how far/ to what extent (balance, judgement); compare (similarities/differences with evidence). Specific events, dates, people score higher than vague narrative.
• Interpretations – summarise each view; compare; evaluate using own knowledge and evidence.

Are papers getting easier or harder?

• Standards are maintained via grade boundaries. Reports highlight source answers that don’t use the source, reliability/ utility without own knowledge, essays that are narrative without argument or judgement.
• No reported shift in difficulty; source + own knowledge and structured essay with judgement are key.

Similarity to past papers and predictability

• Format and style match past Cambridge A Level series. Past papers are a good guide to source question types and essay demands.
• Topics are predictable from your option; exact sources and questions are not. Marking focus (use of source, own knowledge, structure, judgement) is consistent.

Examiner expectations and marking

• Source – use the source (quote or paraphrase); inference supported; reliability/ utility with nature, origin, purpose and own knowledge.
• Essay – structure; evidence (specific detail); explanation; judgement for “how far”/“to what extent”. Interpretations – compare views; evaluate with own knowledge. Marking consistent with past series.

Assessment style and skills in demand

• Source – comprehension, inference, evaluation (reliability/utility) with own knowledge.
• Essay – argument, evidence, explanation, judgement; interpretations – compare and evaluate.

Focus areas for 2026 revision

1. Source – content and inference; reliability/ utility with nature, origin, purpose + own knowledge.
2. Essay – plan (intro, points, conclusion); specific evidence; judgement for “how far”.
3. Own knowledge – dates, events, people; use to explain and evaluate.
4. Interpretations – summarise views; compare; evaluate with own knowledge.
5. Past papers – Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 under timed conditions.

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Based on current syllabus and examiner reports. Always use the latest Cambridge 9389 syllabus for your series.