History
The History Research Study Report (RSR), explained
The RSR is your History coursework. It is worth 100 marks, 20% of the exam, split into an outline plan (15), an evaluation of sources (25), an extended essay (50) and a review of the process (10).
The four sections
| Section | Marks | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Outline plan | 15 | Your subject, why you chose it, what you aim to find out, and the sources you plan to use. |
| Evaluation of sources | 25 | A judgement of your main sources: what each one offers and where its limits are. |
| Extended essay | 50 | Your answer to your research question, argued with evidence. |
| Review of the process | 10 | What you learned from doing the research, and what you would do differently. |
How long each part is
| Higher | Ordinary | |
|---|---|---|
| Extended essay, including the review | 1,200–1,500 words | 600–800 words |
| Review of the process | 200–300 words | 100–200 words |
The RSR is done on your own over 5th and 6th year, written by hand in a booklet from the State Examinations Commission, and handed in during the spring of 6th year. Your teacher will give you the exact deadline.
What this tells you
- The extended essay is half the marks. It is marked on how well it answers your own question, so write a question you can actually answer.
- Choose sources you can judge. The evaluation is worth 25 marks, and it’s easier to write about a source when you know who made it and why.
- The review is about the process, not the topic. Say what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned about doing history.
This guide describes the current History course. A redeveloped History specification starts in schools from September 2027, so check with your teacher which one you’re on.
How somalc uses thisThe same rule applies to your extended essay as to any History essay: every line should do a job for your question. IMark can check that sentence by sentence.
Sources