US History since 1877 8102
Explore changes in the United States since 1877. Analyse historical evidence, causes, consequences and competing interpretations.
What you'll cover
- Paper 1 · Historical Sources
- Paper 2 · Outline Study
Published syllabus exam years: 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge International AS Level US History since 1877 8102 syllabus map
2027–2029 syllabus · Version 1
5 of 5 official topics have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
This is a standalone Cambridge International AS Level qualification, not an A Level or A2 course, and is for centres in the United States of America. StudyForA maps all five official 2027–2029 content topics and their three key questions to original teaching and Guided, Independent and Transfer practice. Paper 1 source skills are practised with clearly labelled invented scenarios; Paper 2 practice teaches explanation and comparative judgement. StudyForA examples are not Cambridge questions, historical source documents, mark schemes or official grades. The first examination is 2027, so use Cambridge's specimen materials and check its site for later past papers. The syllabus is not available in every administrative zone; the June and November series are listed, but confirm local availability and entry with the exams officer. These qualifications replace History 9489 for US schools from June 2027; the last US 9489 assessment is November 2026. All historical analysis is original study material. Learners should verify details against the current official syllabus and prescribed class materials. Extended responses here are for formative practice only: StudyForA does not reproduce Cambridge questions, authenticate assessed work, apply official mark schemes or award Cambridge grades.
Cambridge lists AS Level US History since 1877 (8102) for centres in the United States of America only. It is a new qualification for first assessment in 2027 and replaces the US route through 9489; the last US 9489 assessment is November 2026. Exams are listed for June and November, but the syllabus is not available in every administrative zone. Check the current Cambridge page and the centre's timetable before entry. The first assessment is 2027; consult official specimen material and check Cambridge for the first past papers and examiner reports.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 1 · Historical SourcesTopic 1 · one mandatory two-part question · 40% of AS
Study The Gilded Age and Progressive Era with source skills integrated. Cambridge's specimen materials and current availability are on the official qualification page. All historical analysis is original study material. Learners should verify details against the current official syllabus and prescribed class materials. Extended responses here are for formative practice only: StudyForA does not reproduce Cambridge questions, authenticate assessed work, apply official mark schemes or award Cambridge grades.
- Paper 2 · Outline StudyTopics 2–5 · answer two two-part questions from four · 60% of AS
Study all four outline topics and practise explaining causes, connections and comparative judgements. The learner selects two questions in the examination; StudyForA maps all four. All historical analysis is original study material. Learners should verify details against the current official syllabus and prescribed class materials. Extended responses here are for formative practice only: StudyForA does not reproduce Cambridge questions, authenticate assessed work, apply official mark schemes or award Cambridge grades.
No prior examination tier is specified. Candidates need chronological reading, evidence handling and extended-writing skills. Assessment Objectives are AO1 historical knowledge (40%), AO2 explanation, analysis and judgement (30%) and AO3 historical sources (30%). Paper 1 emphasizes source analysis; Paper 2 assesses knowledge and analytical writing. Practice explanations are formative and cannot certify an examination grade.
View syllabus coverage
All five numbered syllabus topics are mapped to original teaching: one Paper 1 topic and four Paper 2 outline-study topics. Each lesson includes the three official key questions for that topic and staged, explained practice. The two skill lessons supplement the map; they do not add syllabus-topic counts. This is the standalone Cambridge International AS Level, not an A Level or A2 course. All historical analysis is original study material. Learners should verify details against the current official syllabus and prescribed class materials. Extended responses here are for formative practice only: StudyForA does not reproduce Cambridge questions, authenticate assessed work, apply official mark schemes or award Cambridge grades.
Paper 1 · Historical Sources
- The Gilded Age and Progressive Era1
Paper 2 · Outline Study
- American Imperialism, the First World War and the 1920s2
- The Great Depression, the Second World War and the Early Cold War3
- The Development of the US in the 1960s and 1970s4
- The Modern US, 1980–20085
Supplemental assessment skill
- Paper 1 source reading, comparison and evaluationP1-SOURCE-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
- Paper 2 explanation and comparative judgementP2-ESSAY-SKILLS · Supplemental StudyForA practice, not a syllabus section
Practice the papers
Practice the papers
- 1 hour 15 minutes · 40 marks · 40% · externally assessedPaper 1 · Historical Sources · 2 lessons
Candidates answer one mandatory two-part question on Topic 1 using four sources: at least three written and up to one visual. AO3 source skills are integrated with AO1 knowledge. StudyForA's practice scenarios are invented and are not Cambridge sources or mark schemes.
- 1 hour 45 minutes · 60 marks · 60% · externally assessedPaper 2 · Outline Study · 5 lessonsAmerican Imperialism, the First World War and the 1920sThe Great Depression, the Second World War and the Early Cold WarThe Development of the US in the 1960s and 1970sThe Modern US, 1980–2008Paper 2 · Build an evidence-based historical argument
Candidates answer two two-part questions from a choice of four, from the four Paper 2 topics; each question is 30 marks, with a 10-mark explanation and a 20-mark comparative judgement. Candidates receive AS grades a–e. This course does not offer an A Level/A2 component or an official Cambridge grade.
Lessons and worked examples
Choose where to begin
Choose a lesson, try the practice and explain the idea without your notes. Your study checks help you decide what to review.
- 01
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 02
American Imperialism, the First World War and the 1920s
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 03
The Great Depression, the Second World War and the Early Cold War
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 04
The Development of the US in the 1960s and 1970s
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 05
The Modern US, 1980–2008
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 06
Paper 1 · Analyse historical sources
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started - 07
Paper 2 · Build an evidence-based historical argument
Learn the method · Practise with help · Try it yourself · Apply the idea
Not started
These checks record your study activity and self-assessment, not a mastery score. Check the course coverage map for available lessons and remaining topics.
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Topic tests: Easy, Normal and Difficult
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Browse 5 topics →No StudyForA practice set is published for this exact qualification yet. Use the official papers below or in the resource guide.