9489_s26_qp_33 2026 May-June History 9489 Question Paper 3 Variant 3 · Cambridge CAIE AS & A Level

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9489_s26_qp_332026 May-June History 9489 Question Paper 3 Variant 3

This is the official Cambridge AS & A Level History (9489) Question Paper 3 (Variant 3) from the 2026 May-June examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.

Also referenced as: 9489_s26_qp_33 · 9489/33/m/j/26 qp · 9489/33 May/June 2026 qp

Paper 3: Interpretations This is Paper 3: Interpretations, worth 40 marks with a duration of 1h 15m. Analyse what historians argue and why. Must identify the interpretation in the extract, not simply summarise what it says.

After reviewing this document, explore the other papers from this session listed below. Pairing question papers with their mark schemes is the most effective way to prepare for your exam.

The most effective way to use this History question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in History (9489).

Studying History?

Every past paper on this site stays free. These are the worked answers and notes our specialists write on top of them.

Same paper, other years

History (9489) Question Paper 3 (Variant 3) from other exam sessions — practise the same paper across the years, then check each one against its mark scheme.

Examiner Insights — Paper 3: Interpretations

Based on analysis of 3 official Cambridge documents (2023, 2025)

3

Summarising the extract instead of analysing the historian's interpretation

The question asks what you can learn about the historian's interpretation. It does not ask what the extract says.Paper 3, March 2023

How to fix: Paper 3 requires you to identify the historian's ARGUMENT, not retell their content. Ask yourself: What is the historian's thesis? What school of thought does this represent? What evidence do they prioritise and what do they ignore? Your answer should analyse WHY the historian holds this view, not WHAT facts they mention.

8

Misusing historiographical labels without understanding the arguments

How to fix: Do not label a historian as 'revisionist' or 'orthodox' without explaining what that means in context. Each label represents a specific set of arguments and methodological approaches. If you use a historiographical label, explain: what this school argues, what evidence it prioritises, and how the given extract fits within that framework.

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All History (9489) Papers — 2026 May-June

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History Exam Guide: How to Score Higher

Top mistakes, scoring patterns & answer frameworks from 3 official Cambridge documents