AQA GCSE History Paper 2, 2026 exam predictions

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Before we dive into our crystal ball predictions for the AQA GCSE History Paper 2 exam, we need to start with a very important reminder.

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: ⚠️ We have not seen this year's exams! These predictions are based on careful analysis of past papers and topic cycles. They are designed to help focus your revision, but you must ensure you review the entire specification. Please do not rely solely on these topics!

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Table of Contents

• Britain: Health and the People. AQA GCSE History …

• Norman England, c1066–c1100. AQA GCSE History Pape …

  • 1. Hawkins and Drake ⚓🗺️

  • 2. Elizabeth’s Relationship with Parliament 📜🗣️

  • 3. The Challenge Posed by Mary, Queen of Scots 👸� …

  • 4. Historic Environment 2026: The Globe Theatre 🎭 …

  • Managing Expectations 🤔

  • 📝 Exam Structure Breakdown: Paper 2 Option BC

Britain: Health and the People. AQA GCSE History Paper 2, Our 2026 Predictions: Revision Guide for Option AA

1. Everyday Medical Treatments and Remedies in the 19th Century 🌿💊

• Context: The 19th century was a time of massive industrial change, but for the average person, advanced medical care was out of reach. The Germ Theory didn't become fully accepted or practical until late in the century.

• Key Points:

  • Continuity: Many people still relied on traditional herbal remedies handed down through generations, similar to the Medieval and Renaissance periods.

  • Apothecaries: They were still the primary source of advice and medicine for the general public, selling ingredients and mixed remedies.

  • Patent Medicines: The rise of mass-produced "cure-alls" (often containing addictive substances like opium or alcohol) sold with exaggerated claims. They were very popular because they were accessible and heavily advertised.

  • Self-Help: Books like Mrs Beeton's included sections on home remedies for common ailments.

2. Medieval Hospitals ⛪🛌

• Context: In the Middle Ages (c.1000–1500), the Church controlled almost all aspects of medical knowledge and care.

• Key Points:

  • Care not Cure: The primary focus of a medieval hospital was caring for the soul, not curing the body. Prayer was considered the most important treatment.

  • Run by the Church: Monks and nuns provided the care. The environment was designed to be peaceful and religious.

  • Who was admitted? They mostly took in the "deserving poor" and elderly—people who needed food, warmth, and rest.

  • Who was excluded? Infectious people (like lepers, who went to separate lazar houses), pregnant women, and the insane were usually turned away to prevent disruption or spread of disease within the hospital.

3. Development of Vaccination and the Discovery of Penicillin 💉🍄

• Context: Two massive turning points in preventive and curative medicine separated by over a century.

• Key Points - Vaccination:

  • Edward Jenner (1796): Observed milkmaids who caught cowpox didn't catch the deadly smallpox. He tested his theory using a small boy, James Phipps. It worked.

  • Opposition: He faced huge opposition (religious reasons, doctors losing money from inoculation, fear of turning into cows!), but the government eventually made vaccination compulsory in the 19th century.

  • Significance: It was the first vaccine, but Jenner didn't know why it worked because germs hadn't been discovered yet.

• Key Points - Penicillin:

  • Alexander Fleming (1928): Rediscovered penicillin by chance when mould killed bacteria in a petri dish. He published his findings but couldn't purify it, so lost interest.

  • Florey and Chain (1930s/40s): Read Fleming's research. They managed to purify penicillin and tested it on mice, then a human (Albert Alexander).

  • Mass Production: The vital role of the USA government during WWII in funding mass production to treat soldiers. It was the first true antibiotic.

4. Role of Individuals in the Development of Surgery in Britain 👨‍⚕️🔪

• Context: For centuries, surgery was terrified because of the three big problems: Pain, Infection, and Bleeding. The 19th century saw individuals tackle two of these.

• Key Points:

  • Dealing with Pain (Anaesthetics): James Simpson discovered the effects of Chloroform in 1847. Despite opposition (some thought pain was natural/religious), it gained acceptance after Queen Victoria used it during childbirth.

  • Dealing with Infection (Antiseptics): Inspired by Pasteur’s Germ Theory, Joseph Lister used Carbolic Acid to sterilise instruments, wounds, and the air in the operating theatre (the carbolic spray). This massively reduced the death rate from post-surgical infection (sepsis).

  • Dealing with Bleeding: While ligatures had been used since Ambroise Paré (Renaissance), effective blood transfusions weren't possible until the discovery of blood groups (Landsteiner) and anti-clotting agents later in the 20th century.

Managing Expectations 🤔

We always get asked if these predictions are guaranteed. To address this, we wrote a blog post titled ‘How Accurate Are Predicted Papers?’. It’s worth a read to understand the process and why you still need a broad revision strategy!

📝 Exam Structure Breakdown: Paper 2 Option AA

Knowing the enemy is half the battle! Here is how your AQA GCSE History Paper 2 (Section A) will look.

• Time allotted: You have 1 hour and 45 minutes for the whole of Paper 2 (which includes Section A and Section B). You should aim to spend roughly 50 minutes on this section.

• Total Marks: 40 marks (plus 4 marks for SPaG on the final question).

The Questions:

1. Question 1: Utility Question (8 Marks)

   • You will be given a source. You need to explain how useful it is to a historian studying a specific topic. Remember: Content, Provenance, and Context!

2. Question 2: Significance Question (8 Marks)

   • You need to explain the significance of a specific development, individual, or event in the history of medicine.

3. Question 3: Comparison Question (8 Marks)

   • You will be asked to compare two different periods or aspects of medicine, looking for similarities or differences (e.g., "Compare medieval surgery with surgery in the 19th century").

4. Question 4: The Essay Question (16 Marks + 4 SPaG)

   • You will be given a statement and asked how far you agree with it. You will usually be given some bullet points to help you, but you must include your own knowledge too. This needs a balanced argument and a strong conclusion.

Norman England, c1066–c1100. AQA GCSE History Paper 2, Our 2026 Predictions: Revision Guide for Option BA

1. Claimants to the Throne in 1066 👑

• Context: Edward the Confessor died childless in January 1066, leaving a power vacuum and a succession crisis that changed England forever.

• Key Points:

  • Harold Godwinson: The Earl of Wessex and the most powerful man in England. He claimed Edward named him successor on his deathbed. He had the support of the Witan and was crowned immediately.

  • William of Normandy: The Duke of Normandy. He claimed Edward promised him the throne back in 1051 and that Harold Godwinson had sworn an oath on holy relics to support him (the embassy to Normandy).

  • Harald Hardrada: The Viking King of Norway. His claim was based on an old secret deal between previous kings (Harthacnut and Magnus). He was supported by Tostig (Harold Godwinson's exiled brother).

  • Edgar Aethling: The great-nephew of Edward the Confessor. He had the strongest blood claim (the only 'Aetheling' or prince), but he was a teenager with no money, soldiers, or power to back it up.

2. The Investiture Controversy ⛪⚡

• Context: A major power struggle between the King and the Church. Who had the ultimate power? Who could appoint (invest) bishops?

• Key Points:

  • William I & Lanfranc: They generally worked well together to reform the Church (synods, celibacy, church courts), but William I insisted on controlling appointments.

  • William II (Rufus) & Anselm: A very rocky relationship! Rufus was not religious and used the Church to make money (simony). He left bishoprics empty to collect their revenue. Anselm was forced to become Archbishop of Canterbury but eventually fled into exile because Rufus wouldn't let him go to Rome to get his pallium (symbol of authority) from the Pope.

  • Henry I & Anselm: Henry recalled Anselm but demanded he do homage (swear loyalty) to him. Anselm refused because the Pope had banned it.

  • The Compromise of 1107 (Concordat of London): A deal was struck. The King gave up the right to invest bishops with the ring and staff (spiritual power) but retained the right to receive homage for the land (temporal power) before they were consecrated.

3. Changes to Government under the Normans 📜🏰

• Context: The Normans needed to control a hostile English population. They kept some Anglo-Saxon systems but made huge changes to centralise power.

• Key Points:

  • Centralisation: The King had much more power than Anglo-Saxon kings. He owned all the land.

  • The Feudal System: A hierarchy of land ownership. The King gave land (fiefs) to Tenants-in-Chief (Barons/Bishops) in return for military service (knights) and loyalty.

  • Sheriffs: Their role was strengthened. They were now the King's key representative in the shire, responsible for collecting taxes and law and order. They were often hated by the locals.

  • Forest Laws: William designated huge areas as 'Royal Forest' for hunting. This was hated because it stopped ordinary people from hunting for food or using wood for fuel. Harsh punishments (blinding) were introduced for breaking these laws.

  • Domesday Book (1086): A massive survey of who owned what and how much it was worth. Its primary purpose was to see how much tax could be collected and to legalise land ownership disputes.

4. Historic Environment : Pevensey Castle 🧱⚔️

• Context: you need to know specifically about the reasons for its construction.

• Key Points:

  • Strategic Location: It was the landing place of William the Conqueror on 28th September 1066. It was a vital link to Normandy for supplies and reinforcements.

  • Roman Foundations: The Normans re-used the existing Roman fort (Anderitum). The strong Roman stone walls provided immediate defence, saving time and resources.

  • Immediate Defence: William built a pre-fabricated wooden castle within the Roman walls immediately upon landing to protect his army before moving to Hastings.

  • Control: After the conquest, it was given to Robert of Mortain (William's half-brother). It was developed into a strong permanent fortification (motte and bailey inside the Roman walls) to control the local area and suppress rebellions in the south-east.

Managing Expectations 🤔

Students often ask, "Are these predictions 100% guaranteed?" To give you a full answer, we wrote a blog post called ‘How Accurate Are Predicted Papers?’. It explains why having a broad revision strategy is still super important!

📝 Exam Structure Breakdown: Paper 2 Option BA

Understanding the layout of the exam is half the battle! Here is what you can expect in Paper 2, Section B: Norman England.

• Time: You should spend roughly 50 minutes on this section.

• Total Marks: 40 marks.

The Questions:

1. Question 1: Interpretation Question (8 Marks)

   • "How convincing is Interpretation A about...?"

   • You need to use your own knowledge to evaluate how accurate or believable the view in the source is.

2. Question 2: Explain Importance (8 Marks)

   • "Explain what was important about [Event/Person/Feature]..."

   • Focus on the impact or consequences of the topic. Why did it matter?

3. Question 3: Write an Account (8 Marks)

   • "Write an account of [Event/Development]..."

   • This is a narrative question. Tell the story in chronological order, but ensure you explain cause and consequence (why it happened and what the result was).

4. Question 4: Historic Environment (16 Marks)

   • This will be an essay question specifically on Pevensey Castle.

   • "The main reason for the construction of Pevensey Castle was... How far do you agree?"

   • You will be given a statement and need to argue for and against it, reaching a judgement.

Keep calm, revise smart, and believe in yourself! You are capable of amazing things. Good luck! 💖🌟

Elizabethan England, c1568–1603. AQA GCSE History Paper 2, Our 2026 Predictions: Revision Guide for Option BC

1. Hawkins and Drake ⚓🗺️

• Context: English exploration and naval power grew massively under Elizabeth, challenging Spanish dominance in the New World.

• John Hawkins:

  • A key figure in the early slave trade (triangular trade), making huge profits which attracted Elizabeth's investment.

  • His actions increased tensions with Spain (e.g., the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa).

  • As a naval administrator, he redesigned English ships to be faster and more maneuverable, which was crucial for the Armada.

• Francis Drake:

  • Circumnavigation (1577-80): First Englishman to sail around the world. He raided Spanish ports in South America and claimed 'Nova Albion' (California) for Elizabeth. It brought back huge treasure (£400,000), boosting the English economy and Elizabeth's prestige.

  • Knighting: Elizabeth knighted him on the Golden Hind, publicly insulting King Philip II of Spain.

  • Raid on Cadiz (1587): The "Singeing of the King of Spain’s beard"—he destroyed Spanish ships and supplies, delaying the Armada by a year.

2. Elizabeth’s Relationship with Parliament 📜🗣️

• Context: Elizabeth needed Parliament to grant taxes and pass laws, but she believed in the Divine Right of Kings and her Royal Prerogative.

• Key Points:

  • Role of Parliament: It was not a regular part of government; Elizabeth only called it 13 times in 45 years.

  • Freedom of Speech: MPs (like Peter Wentworth) wanted to discuss all matters. Elizabeth forbade discussion of "matters of state" (religion, her marriage, the succession, and foreign policy). She imprisoned Wentworth for challenging this.

  • Monopolies Crisis (1601): The relationship soured late in her reign. MPs were angry about monopolies (exclusive rights to sell goods) which drove up prices. Elizabeth cleverly diffused the situation with her "Golden Speech," professing her love for her people and promising to cancel some monopolies.

  • Managing Parliament: She used her Privy Councillors (like Cecil and Walsingham) to manage debates and steer Parliament to do what she wanted.

3. The Challenge Posed by Mary, Queen of Scots 👸🔗

• Context: Mary was Elizabeth's cousin and a Catholic with a strong claim to the English throne. When she fled Scotland to England in 1568, she became a focal point for Catholic plots.

• Key Points:

  • The Threat: As long as Mary was alive in England, she was an alternative monarch for Catholics who believed Elizabeth was illegitimate.

  • The Plots:

    • Ridolfi Plot (1571): Plan to marry Mary to the Duke of Norfolk and invade with Spanish help.

    • Throckmorton Plot (1583): Plan for a French invasion funded by Spain and the Pope.

    • Babington Plot (1586): The final straw. Walsingham intercepted coded letters where Mary explicitly agreed to the assassination of Elizabeth.

  • Execution (1587): Elizabeth hesitated for months (fearing the backlash of killing an anointed Queen) but eventually signed the death warrant. This removed the internal Catholic threat but made the Spanish Armada inevitable.

4. Historic Environment 2026: The Globe Theatre 🎭🏟️

• Context: Built in 1599 on the South Bank of the Thames (Bankside), the Globe is a prime example of the cultural explosion and changes in leisure during the Elizabethan era.

• Key Points (Changes it demonstrated):

  • Social Mixing: It was one of the few places where different social classes mixed. The "Groundlings" paid 1 penny to stand in the pit, while the rich paid more for seated, covered galleries (Lords' Rooms).

  • Theatrical Design: The structure (wooden 'O', open-air, tiring house, trapdoor/heaven) influenced how plays were written and performed. No scenery meant reliance on language and costumes.

  • Commercialisation of Leisure: It showed the shift from amateur strolling players to professional theatre companies (like The Lord Chamberlain's Men) funded by box office takings and shareholders (like Shakespeare and Burbage).

  • Opposition: It was located outside the City of London walls (in Southwark) to avoid the strict regulations of the City authorities (Puritans) who opposed theatre as sinful and a cause of plague and disorder.

Managing Expectations 🤔

A common question is, "Are these predictions 100% accurate?" We believe in transparency. To understand how we make these predictions and why you should use them as part of a broader revision plan, check out our blog post ‘How Accurate Are Predicted Papers?’.

📝 Exam Structure Breakdown: Paper 2 Option BC

Knowing the layout of the exam is crucial for time management! Here is what to expect for Paper 2, Section B: Elizabethan England.

• Time: You should aim to spend about 50 minutes on this section.

• Total Marks: 40 marks.

The Questions:

1. Question 1: Interpretation Question (8 Marks)

   • "How convincing is Interpretation A about...?"

   • You need to evaluate the view given in the interpretation using your own detailed knowledge. Is it accurate? What does it leave out?

2. Question 2: Explain Importance (8 Marks)

   • "Explain what was important about [Event/Person/Feature]..."

   • Focus on consequences. Why did this matter at the time? What did it lead to?

3. Question 3: Write an Account (8 Marks)

   • "Write an account of [Event/Plot]..."

   • Tell the story, but ensure you explain cause and consequence. Use linking words to show how one thing led to another.

4. Question 4: Historic Environment (16 Marks)

   • This will be an essay specifically on The Globe Theatre.

   • "The main change that the Globe Theatre demonstrated was... How far do you agree?"

   • You need to argue for the stated factor and compare it against other factors (e.g., architecture vs. social attitudes), reaching a clear judgement.

You’ve got this! Keep balancing that hard work with self-care. We are rooting for you! 💖✨