GCSE History (OCR): Free Mock Test & Practice Questions

Q: Why do people fail the GCSE History (OCR)?

Common reasons: Not truly understanding the subject matter, focusing on memorisation over explanation. Figures checked October 2026.

GCSE History (OCR)

Key study periods, source skills and interpretations. OCR board.

Written against the published specification.

About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our GCSE History (OCR) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by OCR. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.

Little and often beats one big session. Five minutes on the bus counts.

Free practice questions

Try 3 real GCSE History (OCR) questions

Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 243 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.

Q1. According to the Theory of the Four Humours, illness was believed to be caused by:

A. An imbalance of blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile
B. Invisible creatures too small to see entering the body
C. Poisonous air called miasma alone
D. Punishment sent directly by God with no physical cause

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: A. An imbalance of blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile

The Four Humours theory, developed by Hippocrates and later refined by Galen, held that the body contained four fluids and that illness resulted from these falling out of balance. Miasma was a separate, later explanation used especially to explain the Black Death. Understanding this theory is essential because it dominated medical thinking for over 1500 years.

Q2. What was the main reason Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914?

A. Germany invaded neutral Belgium, breaking the 1839 Treaty of London
B. Germany sank a British passenger liner without warning
C. Germany attacked British colonies in Africa
D. Germany refused to withdraw from Alsace-Lorraine

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: A. Germany invaded neutral Belgium, breaking the 1839 Treaty of London

Britain had guaranteed Belgian neutrality under the 1839 Treaty of London, and Germany's Schlieffen Plan required marching through Belgium to attack France. When Germany ignored Britain's ultimatum to withdraw, Britain declared war. The Lusitania sinking (1915) came later and helped draw in the USA, not Britain.

Q3. By late 1918, what combination of factors led Germany's military leaders to seek an armistice?

A. A sudden naval defeat at Jutland forced surrender
B. Allied advances, exhausted troops, and collapsing morale at home made victory impossible
C. France invaded Bavaria directly
D. The Kaiser personally negotiated peace terms in Paris

Show answer & explanation

✓ Answer: B. Allied advances, exhausted troops, and collapsing morale at home made victory impossible

By autumn 1918 Germany faced Allied breakthroughs on the Western Front, a starving population due to the naval blockade, and mutinies such as at Kiel, convincing Ludendorff and Hindenburg an armistice was necessary. Jutland (1916) was indecisive, not a sudden late defeat, and the Kaiser had abdicated by the time terms were finalised.

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Who has to sit the GCSE History (OCR)

Who needs a GCSE History (OCR)?

Typically taken by students around age 16 after two years of study; an optional GCSE subject within the EBacc framework.

The real GCSE History (OCR): format

How long is the GCSE History (OCR)?

The real GCSE History (OCR) lasts 240 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the GCSE History (OCR) cost?

Real exam fee: £215-£350 (for private candidates, includes centre fees; OCR board fee is £49.00). Resit fee: £100-£350 (for private candidates, similar to first entry fees)

How hard is it

What is the GCSE History (OCR) pass rate?

Real exam first-time pass rate: 63.2% (Grade 4 or above for OCR GCSE History in 2026). Difficulty: Challenging due to breadth of content, complex terminology, source analysis, and demanding extended writing/essay skills. OCR papers are often perceived as wordier and requiring more interpretation.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the GCSE History (OCR)?

Not truly understanding the subject matter, focusing on memorisation over explanation.

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.

GCSE History (OCR): common questions

Frequently asked

How many questions are in the GCSE History (OCR)?

The exam has 40 questions. Every Revision Robin mock uses the same 40-question format so your practice matches the real thing.

What is the pass mark for the GCSE History (OCR)?

You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 60%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.

Are these the real exam questions?

No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with OCR.