The document provides guidance for students taking the Advanced Higher History exam in Scotland. It outlines the structure of the exam, with two essay questions to be answered in 55 minutes each. It emphasizes showing understanding of historical interpretations and debates in answers. It provides examples of possible essay questions and explains what examiners look for in high scoring "A" essays compared to lower scoring "C" essays.

4. Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of the Second World War 2. What were the causes of the economic and political crises which faced Germany in 1923? 6. How crucial were foreign policy successes to Hitler's popularity before 1939? Britain At War and Peace (1939-1951) 2. "The failure of the Norway campaign was the most significant cause of Neville Chamberlain's resignation in May 1940." How far do you agree? 4. To what extent was there a "swing to the left" in British politics between 1940 and 1945?

8. A PASS answer (13-14 marks) should display a sound understanding of the time scale of events and show awareness of discrete features of Nazi terror 1933-36. Such answers should assess the significance of terror in the process of the consolidation of Nazi power, but analysis may be uneven. Some account will be taken of different historical interpretation. A GOOD answer (15-17 marks) will display the above features but from a more secure knowledge base and with a more confident analysis. Greater account will be taken of different historical interpretations. A VERY GOOD answer (18+ marks) will integrate assured, highly informed narrative with knowledge of historical perspectives. There will be clear evidence of understanding of the views of different historians.

10. You must include historiography in your answer ‘ Failure to do so will mean ‘an automatic fail’. (2003) ‘ If a candidate were to introduce a new paragraph with a phrase such as ‘Naturally, other historians have argued..…’ or ‘There is another school of thought on this matter……’ that will suffice for meeting the C standard. If they start [accurately] quoting historians by name or refer to particular schools of thought, or give quotes from historians and changing views over time, that clearly takes the essay into B and A territory on this aspect of the marking.’ (2002) ‘ Some poorer candidates invented historians’ names. This practice is entirely unacceptable. Candidates are reminded that their work will be read and marked by highly experienced, very well-read teachers.’ (2004)

11. You must include historiography in your answer ‘ ..not all essays lend themselves to a keen historical debate with key schools of thought arguing the case, but all essay titles would have been open enough for the candidate to include some signs of their reading on that issue.’ (2004) ‘ For some candidates, it was often still little more than the very generalised ‘Some historians have argued…’, for others it was just historical name dropping, but for many the essays had a clear sense of a review of key historians’ views on an issue, and these read convincingly as pieces of Advanced Higher work.’ (2004) ‘ Some poorer candidates invented historians’ names. This practice is entirely unacceptable.’ (2004)