Cambridge IAL History exam-day guide
Cambridge IAL History · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and entry documents
Bring the identification your exam centre requires (typically a passport or national photo ID) plus any admission slip or candidate number statement the centre has issued. Exact ID requirements vary by centre, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is permitted.
Statement of entry / candidate number
Check the statement of entry for your exact paper codes, option combinations and session times. Cambridge International A Level History usually has multiple components (for example a document-based paper, an outline/period study paper, and a depth study or thematic paper), and the codes on your statement tell you which options you are sitting. If anything looks wrong, contact the exams officer immediately.
Black or blue pens (at least two) and spares
Write in dark ink so scripts scan cleanly. Bring more than one pen and test them beforehand. Pencil is normally for diagrams or rough work only; confirm any specific stationery rules with the provider.
Clear pencil case and permitted stationery
Use a transparent case. Include a pencil, eraser, sharpener and a small ruler if you like to underline or annotate. Do not bring highlighters unless the centre permits them, and never bring notes, flashcards or annotated texts into the exam room.
No unauthorised electronic devices
Mobile phones, smart watches, fitness bands and any device that can store or transmit information are almost always prohibited in the exam room. Leave them at home or hand them in as instructed. Confirm the centre's exact policy with the provider.
Clear water bottle, no label
A transparent bottle with the label removed is usually acceptable; check the centre's rules. Avoid bringing food unless you have an approved access arrangement.
Know the session start time and arrival time
Arrive well before the start time the centre specifies; late arrival can mean you are refused entry or given less time. Confirm the arrival time with your centre rather than assuming it matches the published session time.
Plan your timing per question in advance
Before the exam, decide how many minutes you will spend on each question and each essay, based on the marks and the total paper length. Write this plan on your rough-work page in the first minute so you can check your pace as you go.
Prepared essay plans in memory, not on paper
Revise key themes, dates, historians' interpretations and source-evaluation frameworks so you can recall them without notes. Do not bring written plans into the room; memorise structures you can adapt to the question.
Access arrangements confirmed (if applicable)
If you have approved extra time, a separate room, a reader or a scribe, confirm the arrangements with the exams officer before the day. These are not automatic and must be approved in advance.
Transport and backup plan
Check your route and journey time, and have a backup option if transport fails. Aim to be at the centre with time to spare so you are not rushed.
Watch or clock (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch can help you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible from your seat. Smart watches are not permitted. Confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating what you already know. Re-read your own summary sheets for each option: key dates, causation and consequence chains, and the names of historians whose interpretations you can use. Practise at least one timed question per paper type, especially the document-based paper, so you can rehearse source evaluation under time pressure. Check your statement of entry and confirm session times, room and access arrangements with the exams officer. Prepare your stationery and ID in advance.
Do light revision only: skim your essay plans and a few source-evaluation frameworks. Do not attempt to learn new topics. Pack your bag with ID, statement of entry, pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler, clear pencil case and water bottle. Confirm your transport and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid late-night cramming and aim for a full night's sleep. Write down your per-question timing plan so you can copy it onto rough work in the first minute.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the centre well before the specified arrival time. Hand in or switch off your phone and any smart device as instructed. Use the waiting time for calm recall of essay structures, not for frantic last-minute reading. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and check that the paper code on your desk matches your statement of entry.
Read the front cover and instructions, check the number of questions and the marks, and confirm you have the correct paper and options. Write your candidate number and details as instructed. Read all questions before choosing, then write your timing plan on rough work. Start with a question you feel confident about if the paper allows a choice of order, but keep to your time allocation.
For document-based questions, identify provenance, purpose, audience and tone, and weigh content against origin before drawing conclusions. For essays, state a clear judgement in the introduction, signpost your argument, support each point with specific evidence and dates, and include historians' interpretations where relevant. Watch the clock: if you are running over on one question, finish the point and move on. Leave a few minutes at the end to check you have answered the required number of questions and written your candidate number on every sheet.
Rules to check
Bring the identification and admission documents your centre requires and present them on request. Accepted ID types vary, so confirm with the provider what is valid.
Arrive by the arrival time the centre specifies. Late arrival may result in refused entry or reduced time; confirm the centre's late-arrival policy with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorised materials or electronic devices into the exam room. Phones and smart watches must be handed in or left outside as instructed; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions, including on seating, starting and stopping writing, and leaving the room. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam.
If you need to leave the room (for example for a toilet break), raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. Supervision rules during breaks vary, so confirm with the provider.
Answer the required number of questions and check the paper code and option combinations against your statement of entry. Answering the wrong option can mean lost marks.
Write your candidate number and details as instructed on every answer sheet, and do not write outside the designated areas or on question papers unless told to.
Marks are awarded for accurate, relevant knowledge, clear argument and, where required, source evaluation. Read the question's command words carefully and tailor your answer to what is asked. If you are unsure about any scoring or grading query, confirm with the provider.