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AQA · GCSE

AQA GCSE World History

AQA GCSE History (8145). What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official specification, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
8145
Board
AQA
Qualification
GCSE
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Topics and resources

11 free resources, 2 of 2 topics covered

Each topic below is from the official AQA document for AQA GCSE History (8145), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for AQA GCSE World History (8145) only.

  • Learn with study guides
  • Revise with revision notes
  • Practise with practice questions
  1. Topic 1 3 resources

    Understanding the Modern World

    Covers Section A: Period Studies — choice of America 1840-1895; Germany 1890-1945; Russia 1894-1945; America 1920-1973, Section B: Wider World Depth Studies — choice of Conflict and Tension: WWI, the inter-war years, East and West 1945-72, Asia 1950-75, or the Gulf and Afghanistan 1990-2009

    Study guides

    Revision notes

    Practice questions

  2. Topic 2 3 resources

    Shaping the Nation

    Study guides

    Revision notes

    Practice questions

Covering more than one topic

Course guides, exam preparation and pages that span several topics.

Study guides 2

Revision notes

Practice questions 2

Source: AQA — official specification pages — first teaching 2016. Verified 2026-09-02. Subtopics are shown where Marlbridge has entered them; a topic may have more in the official document. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

About this course

Qualification
AQA GCSE World History
Spec code
8145
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes — request a free trial class
Who teaches it?
Azam Siddique
Are resources available?
Yes — 11 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Official specification
AQA specification
Topic checklist
Printable 8145 checklist
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official AQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-18.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

AQA GCSE History (8145)

Marlbridge's summary of the course

AQA's GCSE History enables students to study different aspects of the past, so they can engage with key issues such as conflict, understand what drives change and how the past influences the present.

The board's own description is on the official AQA syllabus page.

Subject content is organised into two components: 'Understanding the Modern World' and 'Shaping the Nation', including a historic environment study of specified sites (the specified sites are refreshed periodically — the 2026-2028 series list was current at verification).

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for AQA World History 8145
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
8145/1: Paper 1: Understanding the modern world (Section A period study + Section B wider world depth study) 2h 84 50% Written exam
8145/2: Paper 2: Shaping the nation (Section A thematic study + Section B British depth study incl. historic environment) 2h 84 50% Written exam

Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page. NAMING NOTE: AQA itself calls this qualification plain 'History' (8145) – there is no separate AQA 'World History' title – but this site lists it under World History, the subject name it uses for this combination. Linear, not tiered, two written papers, each 2h/84marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar)/50% of GCSE, total 168 marks. Paper 1 (Understanding the modern world): Section A – choice of ONE period study from four options (America 1840-1895, Germany 1890-1945, Russia 1894-1945, or America 1920-1973), six compulsory questions, 40 marks; Section B – choice of ONE wider world depth study from five conflict-and-tension options, four compulsory questions, 40 marks. Paper 2 (Shaping the nation): Section A – choice of ONE thematic study from three long-run Britain options, four compulsory questions, 40 marks; Section B – choice of ONE British depth study (incl. historic environment) from four options, four compulsory questions, 40 marks. Options are declared at point of entry. First teaching September 2016.

Questions about this course

How is AQA World History (8145) assessed?

AQA World History (8145) is assessed through: 8145/1 (Paper 1: Understanding the modern world (Section A period study + Section B wider world depth study)) — 2h, 84 marks, 50% of the qualification; 8145/2 (Paper 2: Shaping the nation (Section A thematic study + Section B British depth study incl. historic environment)) — 2h, 84 marks, 50% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.

What topics does AQA GCSE World History (8145) cover?

2 topics in the current syllabus: Understanding the Modern World; Shaping the Nation. The printable topic checklist lists every topic and subtopic on one page.

Can I get a tutor for AQA GCSE World History (8145)?

Yes. Marlbridge teaches AQA GCSE World History (8145) live online, one-to-one or in small groups, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.

Are there free AQA GCSE World History (8145) revision notes and practice questions?

Yes. Marlbridge has published 11 free resources for this course (exam preparation guides, study guides, practice questions, revision notes, a subject guide), free to read with no sign-up.

The subject

World History teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All World History at Marlbridge

World History at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

Related articles

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