NESA is regularly updating its advice as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds. Get our latest COVID-19 advice

This webpage has been archived to prepare for transfer to the new NESA website. Reference to syllabus outcomes and content on this webpage may not be current. Teachers are encouraged to visit the Key Learning Area page for recent student work samples on the NESA website.

Assessment Resource Centre (ARC)

    Home
  1. Years 9-10
  2. Stage 5 Grading
  3. Course Performance Descriptors
  4. Index
Print this page Reduce font size Increase font size

History Elective

Areas for Assessment

Historical understanding
Historical knowledge
Research and historical inquiry skills
Communication

Grade A

A student at this grade typically:

  • demonstrates and applies a detailed and extensive knowledge and understanding of the nature of history, heritage and archaeology, and the methods of historical inquiry.
  • assesses the importance of key features, personalities and groups in past societies, and accurately sequences major historical events to explain causation, continuity and change.
  • independently evaluates the contribution of a wide range of cultural groups, sites and/or families to our shared heritage.
  • assesses different perspectives, interpretations and constructions of the past.
  • evaluates a range of sources and synthesises information from them to undertake historical inquiry.
  • communicates an extensive understanding of history by constructing sustained and coherent explanations and arguments for different audiences, using a variety of oral, written and other forms.
  • displays a sophisticated use of historical terms and concepts.

Grade B

A student at this grade typically:

  • demonstrates and applies a detailed knowledge and understanding of the nature of history, heritage and archaeology, and the methods of historical inquiry.
  • explains the importance of key features, personalities and groups in past societies, and accurately sequences major historical events to explain causation, continuity and change.
  • analyses the contribution of cultural groups, sites and/or families to our shared heritage.
  • explains different perspectives, interpretations and constructions of the past.
  • selects and interprets a range of sources and draws conclusions about their usefulness in a historical inquiry.
  • communicates a thorough understanding of history by constructing coherent explanations and arguments for different audiences, using a variety of oral, written and other forms.
  • appropriately uses a wide range of historical terms and concepts.

Grade C

A student at this grade typically:

  • demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of the nature of history, heritage and archaeology, and the methods of historical inquiry.
  • describes key features, personalities and groups in past societies, and sequences major historical events to explain causation, continuity and change.
  • describes the contribution of cultural groups, sites and/or families to our shared heritage.
  • describes different perspectives, interpretations and constructions of the past.
  • locates, selects and organises relevant information from a number of sources to undertake historical inquiry.
  • communicates a sound understanding of history by creating explanations and arguments, using a range of oral, written and other forms.
  • uses a range of historical terms and concepts.

Grade D

A student at this grade typically:

  • demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of the nature of history, heritage and archaeology, and the methods of historical inquiry.
  • identifies some key features, personalities or groups in past societies, sequences events and identifies factors contributing to continuity and change.
  • identifies some contributions of cultural groups, sites and/or families to our shared heritage.
  • identifies different perspectives, interpretations and constructions of the past.
  • locates and selects relevant information from sources, and summarises the main ideas to engage in basic, structured research tasks.
  • communicates a basic understanding of history by creating descriptions and simple explanations, in a range of oral, written and other forms.
  • uses some appropriate historical terms and concepts.

Grade E

A student at this grade typically:

  • demonstrates elementary knowledge and understanding of some aspects of the nature of history, heritage and archaeology, and the methods of historical inquiry.
  • recognises some key features, personalities or groups in past societies, and recounts simply some historical events in chronological order.
  • recognises some contributions of cultural groups, sites and/or families to our shared heritage.
  • recognises some different perspectives within historical accounts, with guidance.
  • locates basic information from sources to construct simple historical recounts.
  • communicates an elementary understanding of history by creating basic historical recounts in a limited range of forms.
  • uses simple historical terms and concepts.

Print this page Reduce font size Increase font size