Cambridge IGCSE History (0470)
Use historical evidence and structured argument to investigate major developments and a chosen depth study.
2024–2026 examinations
Course structure and assessment routes
- Study either nineteenth-century Option A or twentieth-century Option B, plus at least one depth study.
- Take Papers 1 and 2 plus either Component 3 or Paper 4. Grades A*–G are available.
Main syllabus content
- Option A: modern nation states, 1848–1914
- Option B: international relations since 1919
- Depth studies: First World War; Germany; Russia; United States; or Second World War
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
0470 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
Paper 1
Structured Questions
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 40%
Two Core-content questions and one depth-study question.
Paper 2
Document Questions
- Duration
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 30%
Source-based questions on an exam-series-specific prescribed topic.
Component 3
Coursework
- Duration
- Coursework; no timed exam
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 30%; alternative to Paper 4
One extended writing task; internally assessed and externally moderated.
Paper 4
Alternative to Coursework
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Marks
- 40
- Weighting
- 30%; alternative to Component 3
One depth-study question with two parts.
Key assessment information
- The word Core here names the shared historical content, not an easier examination tier. Written papers are externally assessed.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official 0470 syllabus/specification (PDF). 2024–2026 examinations.
Source PDF pages: 8, 9. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.