We’ve carefully analysed past papers, examiner reports, and trends to create the most realistic and high-quality predicted papers available.

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Our predicted papers follow the Edexcel GCSE History format exactly, covering source questions, essay-style responses, and thematic questions, just like in your real exam. By practising under timed conditions, you’ll improve your ability to structure your answers clearly, use evidence effectively, and develop strong arguments.

✅ Test yourself on key topics
We’ve chosen topics based on past trends and examiner reports, helping you focus on what’s most likely to come up.

✅ Go into your exam feeling calm and confident
Exam nerves? We’ve got your back! Our predicted papers will help you practise structuring your answers, using historical evidence effectively, and meeting examiner expectations.

What’s Included?

📝 Question Paper – Just like the real exam, covering all the key topics.
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Table of Contents

• Paper 1: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–Pr …

• Paper 1: Medicine in Britain, c1250–Present & The …

• How to Get a Grade 9 in GCSE History

📢 Important Reminder! While our 2025 Predicted Papers are carefully designed based on exam trends, past questions, and expert analysis, they are not a guarantee of what will appear in your exam. Predictions are a great way to focus your revision on likely topics, but it's crucial to revise everything in your course to be fully prepared. The best strategy is to use our alongside your class notes, textbooks, and past papers to ensure you’re ready for any question that comes up! Stay focused, stay confident, and keep pushing forward—you've got this! 🚀📖

Paper 1: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–Present & Whitechapel, c1870–1900 – Predicted Topics & Revision Guide

The Crime and Punishment unit for Edexcel GCSE History covers over 1,000 years of law enforcement, criminal activity, and punishment. It’s a fascinating topic, but with so much content, it can feel overwhelming.

Our 2025 predicted topics focus on key areas that we think are likely to come up, helping you revise smarter and feel more confident before your exam.

📍 Historic Environment: Whitechapel, c1870–c1900

The historic environment part of Paper 1 focuses on a specific location and time period, looking at crime, policing, and social conditions.

👮‍♂️ The Role of the ‘Beat Constable’ in Policing Whitechapel

• Whitechapel was one of London’s poorest and most overcrowded areas in the late 19th century, making crime difficult to control.

• Beat constables patrolled set routes to deter crime and catch criminals in the act.

• Officers had strict rules on how to patrol – they had to move slowly and observe everything around them.

🔍 Why is this important?

• The lack of forensic science meant police had to rely on observation and witness accounts.

• Beat policing was not always effective – criminals could learn the patrol timings and avoid capture.

📝 Exam Tip: If you get a source question about policing, comment on the limitations of beat policing – it was useful for minor crimes but not effective for catching more serious criminals like Jack the Ripper.

📰 Media Reporting of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ Murders

• The Jack the Ripper murders (1888) created huge media interest, increasing public fear of crime.

• Newspapers often exaggerated the details, spreading sensationalist and sometimes false information.

• The police were heavily criticised, with cartoons and articles mocking their failures.

🔍 Why is this important?

• The media helped shape public attitudes towards crime and policing.

• It also shows how police investigations were hindered by misinformation and public pressure.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about how the Ripper murders impacted policing, discuss the increased pressure on police, the use of rewards for information, and how the case influenced future detective work.

🛤 The Settlement of Jewish Migrants in Whitechapel

• Jewish immigrants arrived in large numbers in the 1880s, fleeing poverty and persecution in Eastern Europe.

• Many settled in Whitechapel, where housing was cheap but overcrowded.

• There was tension between migrants and locals, leading to anti-Semitic attacks and suspicions that Jack the Ripper was Jewish.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how immigration changed the social structure of Whitechapel.

• Highlights racial and religious tensions in policing and crime investigations.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about social conditions in Whitechapel, link the challenges faced by migrants to wider problems like poverty, overcrowding, and discrimination.

📜 Thematic Study: Crime and Punishment, c1000–Present

The thematic study focuses on how crime, law enforcement, and punishment changed over time.

👮‍♂️ The Bow Street Runners & Law Enforcement Changes (18th–19th Century vs Modern Period)

• The Bow Street Runners (1749) were London’s first organised police force, created by Henry Fielding to tackle rising crime.

• Unlike previous policing methods, they investigated crimes, patrolled areas, and collected evidence.

• By the 19th century, policing became more professional and organised, leading to the creation of the Metropolitan Police (1829).

🔍 Why is this important?

• Marks the shift from community policing (parish constables) to formal law enforcement.

• Shows how policing became more structured and professional.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about how policing changed over time, compare 18th-century methods (community-based, no uniforms) with modern policing (forensics, training, specialist units).

🔮 Attitudes Towards Witchcraft (c1500–c1800)

• Between 1500–1600, witchcraft was seen as a serious crime punishable by death.

• The Witchcraft Act (1736) decriminalised witchcraft, treating it as fraud rather than a supernatural crime.

• Changes were due to scientific advancements and growing scepticism.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how religion influenced crime and punishment.

• Reflects the impact of scientific and intellectual change on law.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked why attitudes towards witchcraft changed, mention the Scientific Revolution, decline in religious superstition, and new legal reforms.

⚖️ How Punishment Changed (c1000–c1700)

• Medieval punishments were harsh and public (e.g., executions, mutilation).

• Early modern punishments (1500s–1700s) started to focus more on deterrence (e.g., transportation to America, the Bloody Code).

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how punishment changed from brutal physical penalties to prisons and exile.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about why punishments changed, link it to:
✅ The growth of new laws (e.g., Bloody Code)
✅ Changes in attitudes towards crime
✅ The development of prisons

🏛 Changes in Prisons (c1700–Present)

• 1700s: Prisons were dirty, overcrowded, and unregulated.

• 1800s: Reformers like Elizabeth Fry & John Howard pushed for better conditions.

• 1900s–Present: Focus shifted towards rehabilitation, with education, work, and mental health support in prisons.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Highlights changing attitudes towards criminals (punishment vs reform).

• Shows how social attitudes shape the justice system.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about prison reform, mention key reformers (Howard & Fry) and link it to wider changes in punishment philosophy.

🌟 Your Mental Health Matters – Exams Don’t Define You! 🌟

Exams can feel overwhelming, but remember to take care of yourself during revision. Your grades do not define your worth, and what truly matters is doing your best while looking after your mental well-being. Take breaks, get fresh air, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. 💛

To make revision less stressful, our FREE video walkthroughs guide you through how to structure essays, answer questions effectively, and pick up extra marks. We’re here to support you every step of the way—so take a deep breath, keep going, and believe in yourself. You’ve got this! 🚀✨

Paper 1: Medicine in Britain, c1250–Present & The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18 – Predicted Topics & Revision Guide

The Medicine in Britain unit is one of the most fascinating parts of Edexcel GCSE History, covering 800 years of medical advancements, breakthroughs, and challenges.

With so much content to learn, smart revision is key! Our 2025 predicted topics focus on the areas we think are most likely to appear, helping you revise efficiently and feel confident going into your exam.

📍 Historic Environment: The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18

The historic environment section looks at medicine on the Western Front, focusing on the impact of trench warfare, medical treatment, and the challenges faced by doctors and nurses.

🩸 The Types of Wounds Experienced by Soldiers

• Soldiers suffered a variety of injuries due to the new and deadly weapons of WWI, including:

  • Gunshot wounds – caused by rifles and machine guns.

  • Shrapnel injuries – fragments from exploding shells caused deep wounds, often leading to infection.

  • Gas attacks – mustard gas caused blisters and internal lung damage.

  • Trench foot – a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet, and unsanitary conditions.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how WWI created new medical challenges due to modern weaponry.

• Highlights the need for rapid advancements in surgery and treatment.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about the impact of trench conditions on soldiers’ health, discuss infection, psychological trauma (shell shock), and the difficulties of treating wounds on the battlefield.

🏥 The Features of Base Hospitals

• Base Hospitals were the final stage in the chain of evacuation, where soldiers received long-term treatment.

• They were located near ports and railways, making it easier to transport soldiers back to Britain if necessary.

• Medical staff at Base Hospitals experimented with new treatments, including:

  • Plastic surgery – pioneered by Harold Gillies.

  • Blood transfusions – to treat severe blood loss.

  • X-rays – used to locate bullets and shrapnel before surgery.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Base Hospitals played a key role in developing new medical techniques that improved survival rates.

• Many WWI medical advancements influenced modern surgery and treatment.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about advancements in medical treatment during WWI, discuss how Base Hospitals allowed doctors to trial new techniques, leading to long-term improvements in medicine.

🚑 The System for Transporting the Wounded

• The chain of evacuation was used to move injured soldiers from the battlefield to medical facilities.

• Stages of evacuation:
  1️⃣ Regimental Aid Posts (RAPs) – First aid given close to the front lines.
  2️⃣ Dressing Stations – More serious cases treated further back.
  3️⃣ Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) – Where life-saving surgery took place.
  4️⃣ Base Hospitals – Long-term recovery.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how WWI improved medical organisation, ensuring soldiers got the best possible treatment in difficult conditions.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about how wounded soldiers were treated, explain the step-by-step process of the chain of evacuation and why it was necessary.

📜 Thematic Study: Medicine in Britain, c1250–Present

This section looks at how medicine changed over time, including major breakthroughs, shifts in attitudes, and new technologies.

🔪 Surgery: Comparing c1250–c1500 and c1700–c1900

🔍 Why is this important?

• Pain and infection were major problems in medieval surgery – many patients died from shock or infection.

• By the 19th century, the development of anaesthetics (chloroform) and antiseptics (carbolic acid) led to safer, more effective surgeries.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked to compare medieval and 19th-century surgery, discuss how pain, infection, and surgical techniques changed.

💊 Changing Attitudes Towards Medicine (c1500–c1700)

• Before 1500, most medical knowledge came from Galen and the Church.

• The Scientific Revolution (16th–17th century) led to new ideas, including:

  • Vesalius – Disproved Galen’s theories on human anatomy.

  • Harvey – Discovered how blood circulates around the body.

  • Printing press – Spread new medical ideas quickly.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Medicine shifted from religious explanations to scientific discoveries.

• More accurate medical knowledge led to better treatments over time.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about why attitudes towards medicine changed in this period, focus on scientific discoveries, the printing press, and a decline in the Church’s influence.

⚕️ How Effective Was Medical Care in the Medieval Period?

• Most treatments were based on the Four Humours – bloodletting, purging, and herbal remedies.

• Hospitals were run by the Church and focused on care, not cures.

• Surgery was risky – no anaesthetics or antiseptics meant a high chance of death.

🔍 Why is this important?

• Shows how medicine was limited due to a lack of scientific understanding.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked how effective medieval medicine was, discuss its limitations (lack of knowledge, Church control) but also small successes (herbal remedies, some trained physicians).

🏥 The Creation of the NHS & Medicine Since 1900

• The NHS (1948) provided free healthcare for everyone, making medical treatment accessible to all.

• Key medical advancements since 1900:

  • Antibiotics (1928, Alexander Fleming) – Transformed the treatment of infections.

  • X-rays & scanning technology – Allowed for better diagnosis.

  • Organ transplants & keyhole surgery – Major breakthroughs in surgery.

🔍 Why is this important?

• The NHS revolutionised public healthcare, reducing disease and increasing life expectancy.

• Modern medicine focuses on prevention as well as treatment.

📝 Exam Tip: If asked about how medical care improved since 1900, mention the NHS, new treatments, and advances in surgery and diagnosis.

How to Get a Grade 9 in GCSE History

Achieving a grade 9 in GCSE History requires more than just knowing the facts—it’s about mastering the content, understanding the exam requirements, and being confident in critical thinking and source analysis. In this blog, we’ll explore how to excel in each area, ensuring you have all the tools to secure top marks.

1. Know the Content

To reach the highest level of the mark scheme, you must demonstrate both breadth and depth of historical knowledge. This means:

• Breadth: Be prepared to give examples from across the time periods relevant to the question.

• Depth: Include detailed information about key individuals, events, dates, and statistics.

Tips for Content Mastery:

• Use the Specification: Treat your exam board’s specification as a checklist to ensure you’re covering every topic.

• Create a Timeline: Map out key events chronologically to understand their context.

• Focus on Key Figures: Be ready to discuss the significance of individuals like Hitler, Martin Luther King Jr., or Elizabeth I, depending on your topics.

Our Masterclasses include comprehensive content reviews to make sure you’re confident with every point of the specification.

2. Understand the Requirements of Question Types

Each question in your GCSE History exam has specific requirements. Knowing how to approach different command words is critical for success.

Common Command Words:

• Describe: Provide a detailed account of what happened.

• Explain: Show why something happened or how it led to a specific outcome.

• Analyse: Break down the factors contributing to an event or situation.

• Evaluate: Form a judgement and justify it with evidence.

Build a Bank of Phrases:

Have ready-to-use words and phrases that align with these skills. For example:

• Explain: “This led to… because…”

• Evaluate: “The most significant factor was… due to…”

Our Masterclasses include question-type breakdowns and model answers so you’ll know exactly what examiners expect from each type of question.

3. Know the Historical Concepts

History exams often focus on core historical concepts, which help you frame your answers effectively.

Key Historical Concepts:

• Cause and Consequence: What led to an event and what happened as a result.

• Change and Continuity: What stayed the same and what evolved over time.

• Similarity and Difference: Comparing events, individuals, or periods.

• Significance: Judging the importance of an event or individual.

Practice Identifying Concepts:

• Look at past or predicted paper questions and identify which concepts they focus on.

• Plan answers to ensure your response is well-structured and analytical.

Our predicted papers and tutorials make practising these skills simple and effective.

4. Forming Judgements

To secure the top marks, you need to form judgements confidently and justify your response with clear criteria.

How to Build Strong Judgements:

1. Start with a Clear Statement: Answer the question directly in your introduction.

2. Use Evidence: Back up your argument with specific examples and details.

3. Evaluate Counterarguments: Acknowledge alternative perspectives but explain why your view is stronger.

Practice with Model Answers:

Study model essays to see how judgements are formed and justified effectively.

Our Masterclasses include step-by-step guides to writing high-level responses and examples of grade 9 answers to learn from.

5. Be Confident with Source Analysis

Source questions are often where students lose marks. To succeed, you need to analyse sources critically, addressing their provenance and value as evidence.

How to Handle Sources:

• Content: What does the source say?

• Provenance: Who created it? When? Why?

• Value: How useful is the source, and what are its limitations?

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Don’t dismiss a source just because it’s biased. Explain how the bias affects its usefulness.

• Don’t overlook the context in which the source was created.

Our tutorials cover source analysis techniques in depth, ensuring you avoid common mistakes and maximise your marks.

Why Join Our Masterclasses Now?

With just months until your GCSE exams, now is the perfect time to sign up for our Masterclasses. For £69 for 6 months, you’ll gain access to:

• Weekly Tutorial Sessions: Focused on key topics and skills.

• Easter Revision Accelerator Course: Boost your revision during the Easter holidays.

• Night Before the Exam Sessions: Stay calm and focused with expert tips.

• Early Access to Predicted Papers: Practise with exam-style questions designed to reflect real papers.

• Video Walkthroughs: Learn exactly what examiners are looking for.

With over 1,000 five-star reviews, our resources are trusted by thousands of students to improve their grades and reduce exam stress.

Final Thoughts

Getting a grade 9 in GCSE History requires a combination of content mastery, exam skills, and confidence. Focus on:

• Knowing the specification inside-out.

• Practising different question types and historical concepts.

• Strengthening your ability to form judgements and analyse sources.

Join our Masterclasses today, and let us help you achieve your goals! With targeted resources and expert support, you’ll have everything you need to ace your GCSE History exams. 🌟

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jen, the founder of Primrose Kitten Academy. With years of teaching experience and over 1,000 five-star reviews, I’ve helped thousands of students achieve their academic goals. Our Masterclasses are designed to make GCSE History revision more effective and manageable. Let’s tackle this exam season together! 🎓