Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91396 about?

Accepted Answer

You need to pick one significant historical figure from the classical world (like Alexander the Great, Augustus, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, or Socrates) and explain how they changed their world. You must directly answer the specific question you choose—whether that's about their status, their conflicts, their leadership style, or the changes they made—and use evidence from primary sources to support your argument.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91396?

Accepted Answer

1. Select ONE question from the exam and identify it clearly—focus directly on what that specific question asks, using its key terms throughout 2. Choose ONE significant historical figure and use primary source evidence (direct quotes, specific references, paraphrasing with attribution) to support your analysis 3. Develop 3–4 main areas of analysis rather than trying to cover the entire life of the figure; avoid plot summary and focus on how the figure impacted their world 4. Evaluate the impact, not just describe it—if the question asks whether a change was 'for the better or worse,' you must judge it, not just list what changed 5. Link context and evidence together to show insight; avoid applying modern concepts like 'human rights' to ancient figures, and don't use art or architecture as standalone evidence

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91396?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You answer the question and show you know the historical figure and context, using a few examples with some quotations, but you don't fully address all parts of the question and your response relies more on description than analysis. Merit: You respond to all parts of the question with a clear argument, use 3+ well-chosen examples with quotations, demonstrate accurate knowledge of the figure, and make meaningful connections between your evidence and the question's focus. Excellence: You respond perceptively to all aspects of the question with a sustained thesis, use a broad range of examples including less familiar details, integrate quotations fluently into your analysis, show sophisticated understanding of context and authorial/historical purpose, and develop thoughtful evaluative conclusions.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91396?

Accepted Answer

1. Failing to address all parts of the question—for example, describing changes a figure made without evaluating whether they were 'for the better or worse' as the question asks 2. Writing plot summaries or biographical recounts instead of analytical discussion; treating the response as 'the life of Alexander' rather than 'how Alexander changed the world' 3. Using art and architecture as standalone evidence instead of supporting broader arguments (e.g., only naming the Ara Pacis rather than explaining how it demonstrates Augustus's propaganda about peace and prosperity)

Classical historical figures

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