A-level
HISTORY
7042/1J
Component 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
AQA A-level HISTORY 7042/1J Component 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967 Mark scheme June 2025
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL HISTORY – 7042/1J – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with
the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any
amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is
the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process
ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every
associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts.
Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated
for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have
not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further
developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper.
Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be
avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change,
depending on the content of a particular examination paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they
refer to the gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will
be credited in exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet
for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material
that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL HISTORY – 7042/1J – JUNE 2025
Supporting Marking Guidance
A separate Supporting Marking Guidance document has been created for use in this series
and any future series.
It has been written by the senior examining team. It applies to all A-level History options.
The purpose of the guidance is to clarify key aspects of the mark scheme and further
ensure consistency of approach across all options. The guidance does not reflect a change
in the standard applied, but clarification and amplification of the standard. We hope that
the guidance document will aid you in your understanding of how the standard should be
applied and deepen your understanding of how the key aspects of the mark scheme work.
The Supporting Marking Guidance should always be used in conjunction with the mark
scheme, and any relevant examiner standardising and teacher training material.
Examiners can find the Supporting Marking Guidance on the associate extranet.
Teachers can find the Supporting Marking Guidance alongside the current mark
scheme on Centre Services on results day. It will also be published with any future
assessment materials on the public website.
3
HISTORY
7042/1J
Component 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
Mark scheme
June 2025
Version: 1.0 Final
AQA A-level HISTORY 7042/1J Component 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967 Mark scheme June 2025
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL HISTORY – 7042/1J – JUNE 2025
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with
the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any
amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is
the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process
ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every
associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts.
Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated
for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have
not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further
developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper.
Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be
avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change,
depending on the content of a particular examination paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they
refer to the gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will
be credited in exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet
for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material
that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2025 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL HISTORY – 7042/1J – JUNE 2025
Supporting Marking Guidance
A separate Supporting Marking Guidance document has been created for use in this series
and any future series.
It has been written by the senior examining team. It applies to all A-level History options.
The purpose of the guidance is to clarify key aspects of the mark scheme and further
ensure consistency of approach across all options. The guidance does not reflect a change
in the standard applied, but clarification and amplification of the standard. We hope that
the guidance document will aid you in your understanding of how the standard should be
applied and deepen your understanding of how the key aspects of the mark scheme work.
The Supporting Marking Guidance should always be used in conjunction with the mark
scheme, and any relevant examiner standardising and teacher training material.
Examiners can find the Supporting Marking Guidance on the associate extranet.
Teachers can find the Supporting Marking Guidance alongside the current mark
scheme on Centre Services on results day. It will also be published with any future
assessment materials on the public website.
3
