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Free Pearson Edexcel International A Level History (XHI01 IAS / YHI01 IAL) revision notes, worked examples, model essays and past papers — mapped to the four-unit syllabus (Depth Study, Breadth Study, Thematic Study and International Study with Historical Interpretations) for Issue 6 of the specification.
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Pearson Edexcel International A Level History (XHI01 IAS / YHI01 IAL) is a four-unit, 100% externally-assessed qualification for international centres, first examined in June 2016 and currently on Issue 6 of the specification. The IAS covers Units 1 and 2 (50% of the IAL); the full IAL adds Units 3 and 4 (the IA2). Every unit is a single 2-hour paper worth 50 marks in which students answer two questions, so the course demands sustained essay stamina and precise command of a defined period or theme.
Each unit tests a different historical skill rather than more of the same. Unit 1 is a pure essay unit on a chosen depth-study option; Unit 2 pairs source-evaluation with a breadth-study essay; Unit 3 pairs source-evaluation with a thematic essay on the significance of historical explanations; and Unit 4 pairs an evaluation of contrasting historical interpretations in two extracts with a traditional essay. Three assessment objectives are examined — AO1 (knowledge and understanding of the period), AO2 (analysis and evaluation of sources) and AO3 (analysis and evaluation of historical interpretations) — and the examiner commentaries make clear that students who confuse the skills (for example, using source-evaluation language on an interpretations question) waste marks.
Students choose one option per unit from four. The specification prohibits three combinations where content overlaps: Unit 1 Russia 1881–1917 with Unit 2 Russia 1917–91; Unit 1 Germany 1918–45 with Unit 3 Germany 1870–1990; and Unit 3 British Experience of Warfare with Unit 4 Making of Modern Europe. Option choice should be made once at the start of the two-year course with these rules checked.
| Paper | Total marks | Duration | Style of questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 (WHI01/01) | 50 marks | 2h | Depth Study with Interpretations — four 25-mark essays, answer two. Each gives a view (often a historian's claim) to assess using own knowledge. AO1 20 / AO3 5 per essay. |
| Unit 2 (WHI02/01) | 50 marks | 2h | Breadth Study with Source Evaluation — Section A compulsory source question in two parts (1a value, 10 marks; 1b weight of evidence, 15 marks). Section B one essay from three (25 marks). |
| Unit 3 (WHI03/01) | 50 marks | 2h | Thematic Study with Source Evaluation — Section A one compulsory source question on two sources. Section B one essay from two on the significance of historical explanations, often spanning two periods within the theme (25 marks). |
| Unit 4 (WHI04/01) | 50 marks | 2h | International Study with Historical Interpretations — Section A compulsory evaluation of two contrasting extracts against a stated view (AO3 20 / AO1 5). Section B one essay from two (25 marks, AO1). |
IAS (XHI01) = Units 1 and 2 (50% of the IAL). Full IAL (YHI01) = Units 1 to 4 (each 25% of the IAL). Papers are offered in the January and June series only (October series discontinued in Issue 6). IAS graded a–e; IAL graded A*–E. All papers use five-level, levels-based mark schemes; Level 5 = 21–25 marks on the 25-mark essays.
Source: Edexcel International A Level History specification (Issue 6)
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