How to Revise History A Level + GCSE (Tips, Essay Writing, and Sources!) | Jack Edwards 

The way his glasses makes his eyes look bigger is the most adorable thing I’ve seen since my friend got a new puppy

General tips 1:48 Revision 4:15 Essay writing 10:32 Sources 14:17

I got an A* too and 100% agree about the timelines, after that I condensed all my class notes and made them neater (I did this on A4 paper and added doodles and colourful titles as I found flashcards too small). There were too many facts in my class notes to learn them all so condensing your notes is a good way to help decide a)what is most important and b)decide on random really specific examples which make it seem like you really know your shit (like memorising the name Reginald Ranfurly Plunckett Ernle Erle Drax at GCSE) because basically you can't know all the specific examples, you should aim to know enough that you can throw three or four into whatever essay comes up. Basically I think it's important to realise that trying to know every single last detail you've been taught is futile, a few specific dates and key names to spice up an essay is fine as long as you know the basic timeline and most important bits because you MUST remember that essays are argument led, not fact led

History by 1D at the start of the video 😂😂😂 I'm dead!!

okay but this is the first channel that actually gives USEFUL TIPS!? Thank you so much for this video I have my History GCSES in 2 weeks!!

i want your knowledge as i am legit gonna fail my history a level, but i also need your wardrobe cos i love this jumper and need it in my life !!!

You’re saving my life thank you so much. Do you think you could maybe do an A Level folder flip through of your English and History folders for organisation tips and so we can see your notes? They look so organised!

I do History, English Literature and Politics too and I'm aiming for all A*s so your videos are so motivating!

quality intro yet again 10/10

I have my IB History exams on the upcoming Friday and Monday, was absolutely shitting it thinking I had no chance of doing well, but you lay everything out so well! Have realised my issue is in memorisation, as in I need to sit down and memorise key dates and perspectives. I know a lot more than I think it’s more about fine tuning! Essay plans are also a life saver ❤️ thank you thank you thank you.

I struggle so much with history a-level and this is so incredibly useful! Thank you! (And I agree, history is more like multiple subjects than one!)

Doing history for GCSE, and chose it for a level too! In my year 10 mock I got a 4, and year 11 I got a 6, and recent exam I got a 7, so I keep improving. Aiming for those high grades!! Thank you for the video, really helpful!

Thank you so much for this. I was looking for someone who was honest in their tips and useful methods. A lot of people always tell me I made a mistake for choosing history GCSE and I always doubt it but now I feel much more confident!!

for some people who need a summary/ have no time :-) - but also if possible, just watch the video because it is immensely helpful! ( i apologise if these are messy !) General Tips Colour-code notes (e.g. highlight headings, use coloured pens for stats, key widgets of information etc.) Use multiple different resources (teacher: would say things outside of the textbook, other textbooks: other than the core textbook class uses, videos on yt) Always consider different ways policies impact different people (consider how different events affect different people) Revision (don’t worry, sometimes revision could be the time for everything to fall into place; don’t panic !) Revision Methods Timelines mini timelines - e.g. impact on women in communist china whole timelines - e.g. all the impacts, key events) Time graph (one axis - power/control, other axes - timeline) Flashcards (one way to revise them:) Test yourself and set the ones you got correct into one pile (‘every other day pile’) to revise while the ones wrong are in the ‘everyday pile’ to be revised. If something is right, move up a pile and vice versa) Keep them with you, continuously go through Compare over time (e.g. tonnes of coal produced in 1953, 1962, 1971 and compare the figures inherently and compare; find a trend) Mindmap e.g. positives/advantages - in blue, negatives/disadvantages - in red (this makes you analyse the fact and sort them) !! Force yourself to evaluate and analyse even during revision !! Essay plans (think to yourself - what are 4 pts you can make about this??; prepare with essay questions) Flowchart of events (don’t worry about presentation, make a mindmap, write a key mindmap, write impacts and effects etc. on the spot to link all the events) Essay writing Open with one hard fact that’s impressive, paragraph on stated factor Plan your answers before writing (mini-essay plan and leave it there) Put what you think/your view on 2nd para Subsequent paras to link back to that qns, the nuances of your argument) Use words to bookmark points; ( e.g. 'more importantly', 'less significantly' - proves you are thinking analytically) Take two coloured pens and underline all your hard facts, the other with your analysis in your essay so you can realise what you are lacking) Think about different perspectives (how did they affect women, men, people, religion, government etc.) !! Stick to what you argue !! Back up everything you say (stats, person, place, event) Source-based question Read it through once, second, even third time and highlight key bits of information Tick the points you used off when you include them in your essay to know what you missed Provenance (e.g. date, who wrote it: is there a political agenda behind it? etc.) !! Link back at the end of every single paragraph !! E.g. ‘This was a significant factor because…’

Thank you so much for the essay part, the new GCSE’s, the questions in them are literally asking for an essay. I know my facts for sure but the structure the examiner wanted was so difficult for me to understand and the sheets my teacher gave me didn’t work but now you’ve talked it through, it really helps me understand. I’ve just done my mocks and are going into year 11 so I want to get started on trying to sort these little issues before more mocks so I can see other bigger issues I can sort out so this video is really going to help. Xx

this video is an absolute godsend, I've been so overwhelmed by history for literally the whole year because there's so much content at a level and I've now been able to bullet point a plan for my revision because of you! Thank you!!!!

I have my mock exam tomorrow, and let me tell you: I feel so much less stressed now. Also you've motivated me to start revising more often, starting from the new semester. Thanks! ❤

I don't do history, but I actually found these tips really helpful for a-level geography (the subjects are similar in terms of how vast they are). Thanks a lot! :)

This was such a useful video!! As my GCSEs have been cancelled due to the coronavirus, I've been watching your videos on how to revise for History and English Literature A-Levels as I am hoping to do them next year and I sat making notes from this video so I can start preparing for the A-Levels early. This history video was amazing!

MY OWN NOTES general tips: 1. colour code your notes 2. use multiple different resources 3. RU-vid videos, documentaries 4. always consider how different events affect different people e.g. different sexes, social class revision: 1. TIMELINE, make mini timelines about different things and a whole timeline 2. timegraphs: chronological and ranking e.g. of power 3. FACTS! use flashcards ---- day pile, every other day, every week, every month .... 4. learn how to compare over time 5. mind maps about different things 6. ESSAY PLANS 7. flow chart of events essay writing: 1. plan the first sentence of an essay ---- use a hard fact for each event 2. plan before you write ---- intro, a para on the stated factor, what you think, subsequent paras linked to the question, always link back to the question and ur argument 3. underline your essay using two coloured pens ---- one: hard facts two: analysis, so that u know what u r lacking 4. different angles 5. don't mention new ideas in the conclusion 6. backup ur argument using facts sources: 1. read through it and go through it again using a highlighter 2. link back to the question in every para Thank you Jack!!!

genuinely sat and took notes from this 😂 I'm so bad at history

I’ve only just started a-level history and I already feel so overwhelmed! I had no idea how I was suppose to do anything, thank you for this video

congrats on being nominated for cosmopolitan influencer award you absolute legend!!! already voted for youu

Thanks for the video! I love the variety of methods you have in order encounter information in as many ways as possible. I’m taking History A level and didn’t do gcse, so this is super helpful.

Thank you for this . I am struggling a bit at history at the moment and it’s my favourite subject . These tips I think will help me massively .Thankyou

Jack, thank you so much! Honestly thank you so much. I've watched this video SO many times now and made notes on how I will revise History. I am going into Year 13 this September (eeeekkkk) but feeling much more prepared after trying some of your revision tips (I will do all of them, I'm on it!). Here's hoping for a great result at the end. Congratulations on your Uni success and thank you so much for your help. :)x

I have just started my AS level in History and have my first mock tomorrow, thankyou for your help! I am slightly less stressed now, thankyou again.

Thank you so much for this! I have a History GCSE mock in literally 4 days and this video was SO helpful for revision! Keep it up!

This video honestly helps loads, thank you! I really do enjoy history, and I also totally agree with essay plans. They help loadsss! Especially when u do it the day before. The timeline also is so helpful! 💜

Again, immense gratitude to you. This is indeed free service. I've made two pages full of your points and noted everything and it's so well thorough, I don't feel the need to watch more vids on my subject. God bless you, you're an absolute life saver and gifter. :) Byee

I'm in a good place with history rn, but I want to be extra prepared and I think your tips are amazing! Thanks so much! I used Timelines with GCSE and it helped a lot so will definitely use that, and the flashcard system you have is so productive so I will use that for all my subjects! Thank you xx

Cannot stress enough about the "dont worry if you dont understand things" History can be taught thematically and it's not in time order, it's really confusing! But everything tends to click towards the end, so if you're keeping up with class work, don't be disheartened if things seem daunting or you feel you're lacking understanding! x

Your videos are honestly what's keeping me sane right now!!

My inner directioner is very happy with the intro, CONGRATS ON THE NOMINATION❤️

Thank you so much for this video! My 11 year old is ready to do his history GCSE next June ! He started showing interest since 2017, and is now self studying . He believes he can do it .I am so nervous for him because I know there is a lot of details involved . He is adamant . He is now in year 7 . Again thank you

These revision videos are so helpful, thank you so much!!!

Ah thank you so much for this video! It's perfect timing as I am taking my history A-Level this year and was trying to think of some new ways to revise during Easter which actually work! I will be trying out your tips :)

Another thing that might help is searching for mark schemes so you know exactly how the examiner will correct the exam and how to get the maximum mark in a specific answer. My teacher hand me out one of these when doing my first mock and explained me how to go through them and to be honest it was super useful so I know what I got wrong/right etc

Just been revising my ALevel history today for year 12 mocks after Easter! This video is just what I needed, thank you! X

dreading my AS history exam in a few weeks- thank you so much for this! Voted for you xx

I do History, Economics and Physics and found this video immensely useful as History is my only essay subject and so different from the other two, it seems so so so so content heavy, thanks so much!

Thank you so so much for this, I've took your advice and learning techniques and I'd got an A for my mid year test on History. Many thanks to you mate.

Thank you very much Jack! Only very recently discovered your channel and have very much enjoyed your exam advice (taking my drama and theatre, english lit and history a levels this year and I'm going interailing in the summer so its all good! You're fabulous :)

Just been revising history today. Already got the timeline sorted XD these revision videos of yours make me want to revise, and I'm a first class procrastinator! xx

general tips: - highlight key facts - write what your teachers say - youtube videos - consider how different events affect different people revision: - make timelines (with significance on axis) - memorise key facts (flashcards) and compare these facts overtime - mindmaps (red = negatives blue = positives, compare how much of each) - make practice essay plans - flowcharts of events, brainstorm effects of that and that essay writing: - open intro with a hard fact - plan answer before writing in actual exam - keep linking every end of paragraph with your overall, nuanced argument and the question's argument - use evaluation words: more importantly, less significantly - after writing your essays underline your hard facts and your evaluation and notice what you're lacking - how an event affected different perspectives e.g. women, children, poc - stick to what you say - everything you say needs to be backed up - facts, statistics sources: - read it first, then go in with highlighters - provenance - always answer question

You definitely deserve the best newcomer award, your the best! Keep doing what your doing, we love you ! Plus, we can never get bored of you jack.

thank you so much for another great video about my favorite subject, your suggestions are always really helpful, they surprise me everytime💖🌻

Your idea to do essay plans-for exams- is such a good idea. I'm glad I found your channel thank you!

This video couldn't have come at a better. All the tips and advice has helped me figure out how to revise for my A level history exams. Thank you so much!!!

This is the video I've been looking for so long, thank you so much!!!!

This is super informative. I've never not gotten an A in my AS and I'm predicted an A* in my English and History A-level. I feel like this summarizes extremely well the methods I've gotten used to. This will help many!

Your amazing Jack! This video has taught me another way to look at history instead of approaching it as a science!

I just started year 9 recently and I really wanted to find exam tips for history. Even though I’m not at the year yet when I’m doing GCSE I still loved this video and found it useful ❤️👌🏼

For source questions my history teacher always made us use this: A - audience, D - date, A - author, P - purpose T - tone/type (adapt) to discuss and evaluate the reliability of a source. Honestly I found it very helpful.

Omg! This is soooooooo useful... Never ever ever thought about making a time line It has always been very hard for me to remember years and dates Thanks Jackk

I know you’ve already done an English revision video but please could you do a video on how to structure comparative essays with close focus on how to analyse, embed quotes, critical interpretations. It would really help out a lot!!!

Great video, especially with the tip on introductions and timetables, really helped! Nearing A2 exams with Cold War and Tudor modules (uh oh). Thanks for uploading! :)

Your channel is growing so fast!!! 24k WHATT!!!!! I'm not surprised, anyone who isn't subbed is missing out 😊😊 Best RU-vid ever and btw I loved how you split the video up 💗

Hey, another yet small youtuber here. Thank you so much, your tip about separating the flash cards that you know and don't know really helped me. Because of that, I got a 9 in Edexcel history! Thank you so much! Now I am doing OCR A-LEVEL HISTORY

the time graphs and mini timelines help so much omg

bloody fantastic advice. i literally dont know any other YT who can offer this insight for history

im in y10 and am struggling my way through revising the whole germany topic for a test, this video helped soo much because ive never really revised like this properly before so had no idea where to begin, thank you !!!

So helpful, got my mocks coming up for history soon so stressed but these tips and tricks will deffo use

Omg thank you so much I’ve been waiting soooooooo long for you to make this video!!!!! Was 100% needed since exams are in 2 months 😭😫

Ive waited so long for soemone to do a video as good as this!!! Thank you so much!! You ssslllaaaayyyy

I have As history exam tomorrow and I’m in love with you rn BECAUSE DAYUM BOI THIS HELPED SO MUCH BLESS YOU

Wow thanks Jack! This is really helping me for my exams!!

LIFESAVER THANK YOU i have my mocks in five weeks 😩 and was struggling how to revise so this is great !

Honestly this is the best advice, thank you! And it has definitely boosted my motivation to revise (which is always good :) )

Thank You so much...This was so helpful, I honestly didn't know where I was going with my revision before, this helped me so much :)

You are literally my favourite you tuber now omg!! I absolutely love English Lit I’m taking my gcses this summer and I’m soo nervous

currently struggling with igcse history which is in a week and completely overwhelmed, super glad i clicked into this, thanks a lot! also, by any chance could you make a video on how you organise your notes?

I am taking History for gcse! I love your videos Jack! Xx

Thank you!! I have been in such a rut with my History revision and this helped sooo much!!

You're so cute and optimistic!. Im currently near my GCSE O3 exams and I haven't yet decided A level exams. I'll definitely take literature it's an amazing subject

7:33 Spaced Repetition! A very useful way to organize your revision, I really need to do that & flashcards are very good for that.

I like the note card piles idea! Will definitely try that.

Thank you so much!!! I’ve been looking for a good history video and this has really helped

Thanks! My method was always to make all the contents into flash card and make sure I understand all the content, then I will leave the memorisations to the last day before exam, utilising the short term memory. This allows me to save the time of daily recalling.

Okay, so I don't really comment on videos, but can I just say that this video has helped me so much! I'm doing GCSE History this year and it's one of my favourite subjects but I never do very well in it because I simply don't know how to revise. Everything in this video was useful and I am so grateful to you for making this. Thank you!

Thank You!!! My exam is tomorrow... Haven't even started studying. But now, I know where to begin.

Thank you this was so useful. Im doing history a level in September and i currently do it as a GCSE. It's one of my favourite subjects

Got my History Alevel exam in May, I was worrying until I saw this. Thank you so much!

congratulations jack!:) helpful video like always. thanks!

omg thank you so much for your videos! i've been failing history HORRIBLY, literally lowest in class although it's my favourite subject :( i really really want to do better but my teacher isn't helping and idk where or how I'm going wrong. your videos are very helpful but i find myself doing extremely bad for source- based questions ESPECIALLY. if you wouldn't mind could you make a separate video on those maybe? even if you can't, thank you so much once again!

Thankyou so much!!! I have my alevels coming up this summer and this is so helpful!

This is amazing.! Currently in year 13 and I’m preparing for my final exams and wish to do history at university as I just love it, this video was unbelievably helpful on helping me with the last little bits of revision as I’ve always been the student that was a few marks off, even though I was always capable of an A* within the classroom environment! I’d love to see a flick through of the flash card rings and the folders that you used for history so I can see how you wrote your notes a bit more in detail ! It’s frustrating for me as I’m the student who remembers the content like the back of my hand, and can talk anyone through GCSE and AS history, it’s just my essay skills that put me down. I wish history A-levels were a content quiz as I’d be incredible then. Love this video and can’t say thanks enough. How much in advance did you revise for your A2 exams?

as a fairly newcomer on the booktube king jack edwards' channel, i really wanted to see what he was like in his earliest videos and omg- kudos for the consistency- he's always been this incredible and super helpful?! generally awed.

This is so useful and I NEEDED this video so much rn!! Currently doing a level history and getting straight Bs, I need an A by the end of y12 so I can apply to the unis I want!

This is so helpful! I’m taking history GCSE and want to take it for A-Level :)

Wow, this video has really cleared things up for me!! Thanks so much, kinda feeling motivated to go and do some work now :P

Very scared for my history GCSE as there is so much content and we have just recently started the last topic...yeah great fun! This video will definitely help though, thank you! It's always nice to see a new video :)

Voted for you! really hope you win because your channel is really wonderful!

I really enjoyed watching this, it’s helped a lot thank you!😅

This was so useful thank you so much for the tips xx Hisory a level is very tough

Omg I needed this! Thank you :)

Hey Hey Hey, love you and your vids

Thank goodness for you!! I want to do well in History SOOOO BAD so so bad but I always struggled with it.

You are the best among the bests. Keep it up.All the best.

this was such a useful video for me ( im doing gcse history atm and stressing ) thank you so much !!!