History exam - unfair article?

[mumblecrumble]

IS it me.... or is this horrible?

www.sundayexpress.co.uk/posts/view/108960/A-Level-exam-too-difficult

One of my students who also studies history, has a good vocab and is very articulate [oxbridge to do policitcs next year] had the same complaint.

On the positive side, I bet they all know what 'despotic' means now!

(Have to say I don't think the question was particularly well worded, but that's academic if you don't know what the words mean in the first place)

"How far do you agree that Hitler's role in 1933-45 was one of despotic tyranny?"

This is not a poorly worded question at all. What it asks is for the candidate to assess Hitler's role, given that whole books have been written on this topic. The key words are "How far..." This allows the candidate to discuss Hitler's role within the political, social and military framework of Germany in the years leading up to, and during, WW2.

For an informed and well-read candidate the problem would have been what to prioritise and what to leave out!

Message withdrawn