A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER 1: Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964.
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y318/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964 Paper (OCR Y318/01) combines
the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to provide a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of political, social, and
economic developments in Russia, examining key rulers, major events, and historical interpretations
across the period. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, construct
structured arguments, and evaluate differing perspectives on governance and change. By presenting
each question alongside its marking criteria, the resource offers guidance on examiner expectations,
analytical depth, and the structured responses needed for higher-band marks. This integrated format
supports targeted revision, strengthens source evaluation and essay-writing skills, and equips
students for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the weaknesses of the Provisional
Government. [30]
Passage A
Adapted From Philip Longworth, Russia's Empires. Their Rise and Fall: From Prehistory to Putin, Pages 236-238, John Murray Publishers Ltd, 2005. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
Passage B
Adapted from Orlando Figes, Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991, Pages 100,101,104,105,106,113,114,115,121,122,123, Penguin Books Ltd, 2014. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y318/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Communist leaders in the period from 1917 to 1964 were more willing to accept political change
than were the Tsars in the period from 1855 to 1917.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘The Russian people experienced little improvement in their personal, political and religious
freedoms throughout the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘The October Revolution of 1917 changed Russian society more than any other war or revolution
in the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y318/01 Jun25
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y318/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964 Paper (OCR Y318/01) combines
the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to provide a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of political, social, and
economic developments in Russia, examining key rulers, major events, and historical interpretations
across the period. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources, construct
structured arguments, and evaluate differing perspectives on governance and change. By presenting
each question alongside its marking criteria, the resource offers guidance on examiner expectations,
analytical depth, and the structured responses needed for higher-band marks. This integrated format
supports targeted revision, strengthens source evaluation and essay-writing skills, and equips
students for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the weaknesses of the Provisional
Government. [30]
Passage A
Adapted From Philip Longworth, Russia's Empires. Their Rise and Fall: From Prehistory to Putin, Pages 236-238, John Murray Publishers Ltd, 2005. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
Passage B
Adapted from Orlando Figes, Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991, Pages 100,101,104,105,106,113,114,115,121,122,123, Penguin Books Ltd, 2014. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y318/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Communist leaders in the period from 1917 to 1964 were more willing to accept political change
than were the Tsars in the period from 1855 to 1917.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘The Russian people experienced little improvement in their personal, political and religious
freedoms throughout the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘The October Revolution of 1917 changed Russian society more than any other war or revolution
in the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y318/01 Jun25
