Please check the examination details below before entering your candidate information
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Mark Scheme (Results)
Monday 18 May 2026
Afternoon (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8HI0/2B
History
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: Depth study
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c1515–55
Summer 2026
Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
You must have: Total Marks
Sources Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number. Edexcel
•• There are two sections in this question paper.
In Section A, answer question part (a) and part (b) on the option for which you Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in
have been prepared.
•• InAnswer
Section B, answer one question on the option for which you have been prepared.
the questions in the spaces provided
History 8HI0/2B
– there may be more space than you need.
Information Paper 2: Depth study
•• The total mark for this paper is 40.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation,
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
c1515–55
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end. Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
Turn over
P79672A
P:1/1/1/
Education Ltd. *P79672A0120*
, Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
SECTION A
Choose EITHER Option 2B.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2B.2 (Question 2), for which
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by the UK’s
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
you have been prepared.
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c1515–55 including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
Answer Question 1, parts (a) and (b). programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at or .
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7. contact us page at .
1 (a) Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 1 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the reasons for the
summoning of the Council of Trent?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context. helping people progress, everywhere
(8)
aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
AND
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
(b) Study Source 2 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 2 for an enquiry into the
problems faced by Charles V in defeating Lutheranism in Germany in the 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
mid-1540s? high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
.
own knowledge of the historical context.
(12)
(Total for Question 1 = 20 marks)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79672A
Publication Code 8HI0_2B_2026_MS
All the material in this publication is
Education Ltd
2
*P79672A0220*
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
Choose EITHER Option 2B.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2B.2 (Question 2), for which
you have been prepared. candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
Answer Question 2, parts (a) and (b).
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4. perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7. • There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
2 (a) Study Source 3 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should
Why is Source 3 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the formation of the
Dutch East India Company? always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context. response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
(8) • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by
AND which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
(b) Study Source 4 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 4 for an enquiry into the
problems faced by Philip II in defeating the rebellion in the Netherlands in the • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with
mid-1580s? an alternative response.
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context.
(12)
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks)
3
*P79672A0320* Turn over
Candidate surname Other names
Centre Number Candidate Number
Edexcel Level 3 GCE
Mark Scheme (Results)
Monday 18 May 2026
Afternoon (Time: 1 hour 30 minutes) Paper
reference 8HI0/2B
History
Advanced Subsidiary
PAPER 2: Depth study
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c1515–55
Summer 2026
Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
You must have: Total Marks
Sources Booklet (enclosed)
Instructions
•• Use black ink or ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number. Edexcel
•• There are two sections in this question paper.
In Section A, answer question part (a) and part (b) on the option for which you Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in
have been prepared.
•• InAnswer
Section B, answer one question on the option for which you have been prepared.
the questions in the spaces provided
History 8HI0/2B
– there may be more space than you need.
Information Paper 2: Depth study
•• The total mark for this paper is 40.
The marks for each question are shown in brackets
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation,
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend on each question.
Advice
c1515–55
•• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
Check your answers if you have time at the end. Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
Turn over
P79672A
P:1/1/1/
Education Ltd. *P79672A0120*
, Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
SECTION A
Choose EITHER Option 2B.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2B.2 (Question 2), for which
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by the UK’s
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
you have been prepared.
largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications
Option 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c1515–55 including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
Answer Question 1, parts (a) and (b). programmes for employers. For further information visit our
qualifications websites at or .
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7. contact us page at .
1 (a) Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 1 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the reasons for the
summoning of the Council of Trent?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context. helping people progress, everywhere
(8)
aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help
AND
everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of
(b) Study Source 2 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been
involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 2 for an enquiry into the
problems faced by Charles V in defeating Lutheranism in Germany in the 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to
mid-1540s? high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find
out more about how we can help you and your students at:
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
.
own knowledge of the historical context.
(12)
(Total for Question 1 = 20 marks)
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79672A
Publication Code 8HI0_2B_2026_MS
All the material in this publication is
Education Ltd
2
*P79672A0220*
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
Choose EITHER Option 2B.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2B.2 (Question 2), for which
you have been prepared. candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Option 2B.2: The Dutch Revolt, c1563–1609
what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
Answer Question 2, parts (a) and (b).
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4. perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7. • There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
2 (a) Study Source 3 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should
Why is Source 3 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the formation of the
Dutch East India Company? always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context. response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
(8) • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by
AND which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
(b) Study Source 4 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question. • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a
candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 4 for an enquiry into the
problems faced by Philip II in defeating the rebellion in the Netherlands in the • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with
mid-1580s? an alternative response.
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it and your
own knowledge of the historical context.
(12)
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks)
3
*P79672A0320* Turn over
