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GCSE History Exam
GCSE History Exam
GCSE History exam booking with Pass. Secure your resit place at a Pass-approved centre for AQA, Edexcel or Edexcel IGCSE.
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Fast-Track GCSE History Resit. Retake your GCSE History exam through Pass and secure a place at a suitable exam centre.
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Fully-Regulated GCSE History Exam. Gain a recognised GCSE qualification through AQA, Edexcel or Edexcel IGCSE.
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Market-Leading Online GCSE History Course. Our GCSE History course is built by our subject experts and is designed to give you the best preparation for your exam.
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Low Cost Guaranteed, No Hidden Fees. Book with clear pricing and support arranging your place at a Pass exam centre.
Now available online.
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
Got a question?
We'd love to talk about how we can help you.
How does the GCSE History exam process work?
Ready to book your GCSE history exam, or looking at a GCSE resit? Pass makes the process clear from the start, helping you understand your exam board options, choose the right sitting and secure a place at a suitable centre.
GCSE exams are taken in person, with summer sittings available for GCSE History with AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE. November exams are available for Edexcel IGCSE only, and the exam is open to external candidates aged 16 and over.
Speak to one of our GCSE exam advisors today and we will help you move from choosing your exam option to feeling confident about the day itself.
Reserve your place
Choose your GCSE History exam options and Pass will follow up with the next steps for arranging your place.
Prepare to Pass
Pair your exam with the Pass Course to build your knowledge across your chosen GCSE History specification.
Take your exam
We will confirm your exam time, location and key details before you attend your allocated Pass exam centre.
Receive your results
Your grade will be released through the exam centre on the relevant national results day.
Take the next step in your career
Use your GCSE History qualification to progress into further study, training or work.
Fast-Track GCSE History Qualification
Book your GCSE History exam through a quicker route than returning to school or college, with Pass helping you secure an exam place that fits your plans.
Fully-Regulated GCSE History Exam
This GCSE History exam is fully-regulated, giving you a recognised qualification accepted across the UK by employers, colleges and education providers.
Market-Leading Online GCSE History Course
Add the GCSE History course to your exam booking for full topic coverage, guided revision and mock exams to help you prepare with confidence.
Low Cost Guaranteed, No Hidden Fees
Pass offers clear GCSE History exam pricing with the key exam arrangements included, so you know what you are paying before you book.
1 Reserve your place
Choose your preferred exam date, exam board and exam option online, then proceed through the checkout to complete your booking.
GCSE History Details
Fully-regulated GCSE History exams available through AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE
Open to private candidates, external candidates and adult learners aged 16 and over
Recognised throughout the UK as a fully accredited GCSE qualification
Pass will help arrange your place at a suitable Pass-approved exam centre
Flexible Exam booking
Flexible Exam Series, giving you the freedom to decide on your exam series when you feel ready
*Your booking will remain valid up to and including the equivalent exam series two years later. For example, any booking made before the end of the Summer 2026 exam series can be used to sit an exam in any available series up to and including Summer 2028.
The November series isn't available for AQA/Edexcel.
Late fees may apply depending on when you confirm your chosen exam series. Please see our T&Cs for full details.
2The Number 1 GCSE History Course
Initial Assessment
Start with a short Initial Assessment that maps out your current understanding of key historical periods and events, before you begin the course.
Personal Learning Plan
Our Topic Area Knowledge Assessments build you a Personal Learning Plan, highlighting which areas of the specification need the most attention.
Continue Learning
Progress through structured content covering your chosen units, with explanations and examples that build your understanding topic by topic.
Instantly Marked Mock Exams
Sit full mock papers marked instantly to examiner standard, with clear feedback showing exactly where to focus before your GCSE History exam.
3 Take your exam
Before your exam day, we will send you full confirmation of the time, location and relevant details for your exam centre, so there are no surprises on the day. We recommend checking the exam rules in advance so everything runs smoothly. On the day itself, make your way to your local Pass centre and sit your exam in person.
Exam Information
Exam taken in person at an exam centre local to you
GCSE History exam dates can be found below
4 Receive your results
Each year, GCSE results are confirmed on a nationally set date: for summer exams this is ordinarily the third Thursday in August, when grades are published across all subjects and exam boards at once.
As a private candidate sitting GCSE History, your results will come through your exam centre. Check with them in advance to find out how they issue grades, as this varies (some require you to collect in person, while others will send results by email or post).
5 Take the next step. It all starts with a Pass.
Use your GCSE History qualification to progress into college, university, an apprenticeship, or take the next step in your career. If you are comparing History with other subjects, Pass’s online GCSE courses page shows the wider range of GCSE study options available.
Apprenticeships
Earn, learn and grow via apprenticeships.
Further Education
Open up future opportunities with college courses.
University
Start your journey into higher education.
How can the UK's best course help you pass?
Our GCSE History course is designed to strengthen your understanding across your period, depth and thematic studies. Here's what's included:
Find Your Starting Level
Personal Learning Plan
Revision, Questions and Tests
Realistic Mock Exams
Track Your Progress
24/7 Access, 100% Online
Find Your Starting Level
Initial Assessment
Before working through the specification, you'll complete a short Initial Assessment covering key events, periods and historical terminology.
The questions draw on themes from across your chosen units, helping identify which periods you already understand well and which ones need more focus.
Your course then adapts around these results, prioritising the areas that will make the biggest difference to your final GCSE History grade.
Personal Learning Plan
Topic Area Knowledge Assessments
A series of Topic Area Knowledge Assessments follows, covering your period study, depth studies and the wider thematic content relevant to your chosen units.
Your performance in these assessments builds a Personal Learning Plan tailored to you, directing your study time towards the topics that need the most attention rather than spreading it evenly.
This plan updates as you progress through the course, keeping your GCSE History preparation focused right up to exam day.
Revision, Questions and Tests
All the Revision You Need
Every topic in your chosen units is covered in full, with clear explanations and worked examples showing how to apply source analysis, interpretation and historical argument to exam-style questions.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Short quizzes after each topic let you check your understanding as you go, flagging anything worth revisiting before moving on.
Put Your Knowledge to the Test
An end-of-topic test rounds off each section in the style of the real exam, with full written solutions so you can see exactly where marks were gained or lost.
Realistic Mock Exams
Full Mock Papers
Full-length mock papers reflect the structure of the real GCSE History exam, giving you practice across your chosen period, depth and thematic studies.
Exam Mode
Exam Mode applies a timer to any mock paper, helping you build up your pace ahead of the real exam.
Track Your Progress
with ExamReady
ExamReady monitors your progress across the course, using your assessment scores and mock results to indicate how prepared you are for your GCSE History exam. Once it shows you have reached a strong standard, that's your signal to book - and since the course is studied entirely from home, the timing is entirely up to you.
24/7 Access, 100% Online
100% Online
There's no need to attend anywhere in person - the course runs entirely online, so all you need is an internet connection.
Anytime Access
Log in whenever it suits you and build your GCSE History revision around the rest of your commitments.
100 Recommended Hours
Around 100 hours is a helpful guide for the course as a whole, though it's just a guide - work at your own pace and spend longer wherever it's needed.
GCSE History Exam Information - AQA (8145)
Paper 1 - Understanding the Modern World
Topics
Two modern world studies, including a period study and a wider world depth study focused on international conflict.
Format
Section A focuses on the period study through interpretations, explanations and extended judgement. Section B focuses on the wider world depth study through source analysis, narrative accounts and evaluation of historical arguments.
Paper 2 - Shaping the Nation
Topics
Two British history studies, including a thematic study across time and a British depth study linked to a historic environment.
Format
Section A assesses the thematic study through source evaluation, significance, comparison and extended analysis. Section B assesses the British depth study through interpretation, explanation, narrative and historic environment questions.
GCSE History Exam Information - Edexcel (1HI0)
Paper 1 - Thematic Study and Historic Environment
Topics
One British thematic study across a long time period, linked to a historic environment study and the analysis of historical sources.
Format
Section A assesses the historic environment using questions on site features and two sources. Section B assesses similarity, difference, change and continuity, including an extended judgement question from a choice.
Paper 2 - Period Study and British Depth Study
Topics
One period study covering a major historical development and one British depth study focused on a shorter period.
Format
The period study includes consequence, analytical narrative and significance questions. The British depth study includes key features, causation and an extended judgement question chosen from two options.
Paper 3 - Modern Depth Study
Topics
One modern depth study focused on a specific country or conflict, with historical sources, interpretations, causes and consequences.
Format
Section A includes a source inference question and a causation question from a choice. Section B assesses source usefulness, interpretation comparison and extended evaluation.
GCSE History Exam Information - Edexcel IGCSE (4HI1)
Paper 1 - Depth Studies
Topics
Students study two depth studies covering key historical events, individuals and developments from the late 18th to the late 20th century.
Format
Students answer two questions, one on each depth study they have studied. Questions assess explanation, analysis and evaluation of historical events and interpretations.
Paper 2 - Investigation and Breadth Studies
Topics
One historical investigation focused on a specific period or conflict, and one breadth study exploring long-term historical change.
Format
Section A includes one question on the chosen historical investigation. Section B includes one question on the chosen breadth study in change, with questions assessing sources, explanations and interpretations.
GCSE History Exam Dates (AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE)
Summer 2027
Paper 1 – AQA (2h), Edexcel (1h 20m) & IGCSE (1h 30m) | Paper 2 – AQA (2h), Edexcel (1h 50m) & IGCSE (1h 30m) | Paper 3 – Edexcel only (1h 30m)
| DATE | TIME | DURATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE | Thursday 20th May | Morning | AQA 2h, Edexcel 1h 20m, IGCSE 1h 30m |
| Paper 2 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE | Friday 28th May | Morning | AQA 2h, Edexcel 1h 50m, IGCSE 1h 30m |
| Paper 3 - Edexcel only | Wednesday 9th June | Afternoon | 1h 30m |
Paper 1 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE
Paper 2 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE
Paper 3 - Edexcel only
GCSE History Exam Dates (AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE)
Summer 2026
| DATE | TIME | DURATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE | Friday 15 May | Morning | AQA 2h, Edexcel 1h 20m, IGCSE 1h 30m |
| Paper 2 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE | Thursday 4 June | Morning | AQA 2h, Edexcel 1h 50m, IGCSE 1h 30m |
| Paper 3 - Edexcel only | Tuesday 9 June | Afternoon | 1h 30m |
Paper 1 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE
Paper 2 - AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE
Paper 3 - Edexcel only
GCSE History Exam Dates (IGCSE)
November 2026
| DATE | TIME | DURATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Friday 13 November | Morning | 1h 30m |
| Paper 2 | Wednesday 18 November | Morning | 1h 30m |
Paper 1
Paper 2
FAQs
Can I retake GCSE History?
Yes, you can retake GCSE History through Pass if you are aged 16 or over. We can help you book the GCSE history exam as a private candidate and arrange an appropriate exam centre. Additionally, we offer an option to study a online GCSE History course alongside this.
Can I resit History GCSE as a private candidate?
Yes, GCSE History is available to private candidates. Pass can support your booking and help arrange your place at a Pass-approved exam centre.
When can I sit a GCSE History exam?
GCSE History is available in the summer exam series, with the Edexcel IGCSE exams also available in November for learners aged 16 and over.
Can I take my GCSEs online?
No, GCSE History exams must be taken in person at an exam centre. Pass will confirm the centre details, date and time before your exam day. However, booking a GCSE exam, and studying a respective course and both be done online with Pass.
Is there a GCSE History resit option for adults?
Yes, adult learners can book a GCSE History resit with Pass. The qualification is suitable for private candidates and external candidates aged 16 and above.
Which exam boards do you offer for GCSE History?
Pass offers GCSE History options for AQA, Edexcel and Edexcel IGCSE.
What is the pass mark for the GCSE History exam?
The pass mark changes each series because grade boundaries are set after the exams have been marked. A grade 4 is usually treated as a standard pass.
Where will I sit my GCSE History exam?
You will sit your exam in person at an exam centre. Pass will help arrange your booking and send the key details before the exam. For a wider overview of private candidate entries, Pass’s GCSE exam booking page explains how GCSE exam booking works across subjects.
What is a fast-track GCSE History qualification?
A fast-track GCSE History qualification means booking and sitting the exam without returning to a full school or college timetable. It is useful if you need to resit GCSE History within a shorter timeframe.
Do I need to complete non-exam assessment for GCSE History?
No, learners do not need to complete a separate non-exam assessment component for this GCSE History qualification.
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