Cambridge IGCSE History 0470: Frequent mistakes

Cambridge Principal Examiner Reports for History 0470 emphasise question focus, structure and evaluation. These recurring issues cost marks.

Question reading and focus

Not reading questions carefully

Producing unfocused and irrelevant responses. Answering a different question or including material that doesn’t address the focus.

Fix: Underline key words. “Why” = reasons. “How far” = evaluation. “Between 1919 and 1939” = that period only.

”Why” questions → description instead of explanation

When asked why, candidates describe what happened instead of explaining reasons and causes.

Fix: Why = causes, reasons, motives. “This happened because…”, “The reason was…”, “This led to…”

Ignoring date specifications

Writing about the wrong time period. Questions specify dates or years—answers must stay within them.

Fix: Note the date range. “In the 1920s” = 1920s only. Don’t include 1930s unless asked.

Answer structure and approach

Part (a) too long

Part (a) answers often excessively long—“setting the scene” with lengthy narrative. This leaves insufficient time for parts (b) and (c), which usually carry more marks.

Fix: Keep (a) concise. Focus on what’s asked. Save time for (b) and (c).

Narrative instead of analysis

Writing lengthy narrative and “setting the scene” instead of explanation, analysis and evaluation. Description alone scores low.

Fix: Explain causes. Analyse significance. Evaluate. Don’t just tell the story.

Part (c) responses (evaluative questions)

Descriptive instead of evaluative

Part (c) asks for evaluation (“How far…”, “To what extent…”). Weaker responses are highly descriptive rather than evaluative.

Fix: Present both sides. Weigh up. Conclude with a judgement.

One-sided arguments

Failing to give balanced arguments. Presenting only one side before reaching a conclusion.

Fix: “On one hand…”, “On the other hand…”, “However…”, “On balance…”

Conclusion doesn’t address the question

Conclusions that summarise rather than answer “how far” or “to what extent”. No clear judgement.

Fix: “To a great extent… because…”, “To a limited extent…”, “Partly… but…”

Inaccurate or irrelevant information

Including wrong facts or irrelevant material. Weakens the argument.

Fix: Check facts. Only include relevant evidence. Quality over quantity.

Content issues

Confusing related content

Mixing up different treaties, events or figures. E.g. confusing terms of one treaty with another.

Fix: Learn key details. Distinguish similar events. Use correct names and dates.

Insufficient explanation of causes

Not explaining why events caused outrage or reactions. Stating that something happened without explaining the reasons.

Fix: “This caused outrage because…”, “The reason for the reaction was…”

What strong responses do

Strong responses: sound factual knowledge; thorough explanation; well-organised arguments; detailed evidence on both sides; evaluative conclusion that addresses the specific question wording.

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Based on Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 Principal Examiner Reports (2019–2025).