Exam clarifications for Modern History

Source work

The Modern History syllabus includes an outcome that requires students to analyse and interpret different types of sources for evidence. This approach is reflected in skills of the syllabus such as ‘identify and analyse problems relating to sources’, and in the language used in the sample exam questions, such as the ‘value’ and ‘limitations’ of sources. Broadening this outcome enables assessment of how students work with sources such as identifying the limitations of a source, analysing sources for evidence, comparing/contrasting sources, and assessing the value of a source. Items in the sample exam materials (PDF 1.26MB) provide examples of how students may be asked to apply source-based skills.

Questions may include the use of one or more sources. The sources used for exam questions may include what have been conventionally termed secondary sources, as well as 'primary sources'. This is consistent with the glossary definition of 'source' provided in the syllabus, which states, 'any written or non-written materials that can be used to investigate the past'.

The content of the core study for Modern History

The core study, Power and Authority in the Modern World, 1919–1946, makes a connection within the topic between the rise of dictatorships after World War I with the Nazi regime to 1939. The link between these sections and the search for peace and security in the world is found in the content focus of the topic which makes reference to the threats that dictatorships can pose to peace and security. This section includes content about the ambitions of Germany in Europe and of Japan in the Asia-Pacific. It provides a springboard into several other topics within the course including, but not limited to, national studies such as Russia, Japan and Indonesia, and the topics of Conflict in Europe and Conflict in the Pacific.

Survey and Focus of study in the Modern History core study

The core study is structured using a survey and focus of study approach and the content of both is examinable.

An exam question may relate to either the survey, the focus of study, or both. The mark value will be assigned as appropriate to the question. Questions derived only from the survey will typically be of lower mark value. Lower-mark questions may also be derived from the focus of study. Questions in the 10–15 mark range will be derived principally from the focus of study.

Exam questions may make connections between different aspects of content in the core study.

See the sample exam materials (PDF 1.26MB) for annotations that describe how the survey and focus of study will be approached in other sections of the exam.

Key features

Key features, as identified in the National Studies, Peace and Conflict, and Change in the Modern World topics of the Modern History syllabus, may be examined. 

The number and use of sources in exam questions for the core study

Questions relating to sources will be designed with consideration of what is reasonable to expect in an exam situation for the mark value indicated, such as the number of sources attached to questions.

Assessment and Reporting in Modern History Stage 6 includes exam specifications for the core study. They indicate that source-based questions will be included; however, not all questions will necessarily be based on sources. The sample exam materials indicate that there may be questions requiring knowledge only, typically of lower mark value. This provides flexibility to include knowledge-based questions that may be best assessed without sources.

The 10–15 mark question in the core study

In the Modern History core study there may be a question, in the range of 10–15 marks, that relates to aspects other than the usefulness, reliability and/or perspectives of sources. This increases the opportunity for less formulaic student responses.

Questions in the 10–15 mark range will be derived principally from the focus of study.

Modern History rubrics

The Core Study for Modern History has a rubric which is explicitly expressed in the exam paper. 

The rubrics for Section II – National Studies and Section III – Peace and Conflict in the Modern History exam use the word interpretation.

Students may demonstrate interpretation in a range of ways, which may be that of others, and/or their own. This provides an opportunity for students to highlight one or more areas of interpretation, as relevant to the question. 

It's important that students are aware of the rubric so that they fully understand the assessment criteria for the questions in each section.