'Umar: past paper questions
Real questions on 'umar
The newest 15 of 15 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0493/22 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[10]
3 (a) Give an account of the martyrdom of two of the following Rightly Guided Caliphs: ° ‘Umar ° ‘Uthman © Ali. [10]
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[10]
Write about the way in which the lives of ordinary people improved during ͑ Umar’s caliphate. Refer to his administrative policies.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
What were the effects of ͑ Umar’s military successes on Muslims living under his caliphate?
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[10]
Give an account of ʿUmar’s administrative policies while governing the Muslim empire.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2024 · Q3b[4]
In your opinion, what was ʿUmar’s greatest achievement during his caliphate? Give reasons for your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[10]
Write an account of the Battle of Buwayb and the Battle of Qadisiyyah, fought during the caliphate of ʿUmar.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4b[4]
What do ʿUmar’s actions following the conquest of Jerusalem tell you about his character?
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2023 · Q3a[10]
Give an account of the Battle of Nihawand.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[4]
Why was the Battle of Nihawand known as the ‘Victory of Victories’?
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2022 · Q4a[10]
Give an account of the main reasons for the revolt against ͑ Uthman’s rule and the events of the rebellion in Madina.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2022 · Q4b[4]
In your opinion, what was the most serious consequence of ͑ Uthman’s assassination? Give reasons to support your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2020 · Q4a[10]
Write an account of the administration of the caliphate under ‘Umar.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2020 · Q4b[4]
In your opinion what was the most important feature of ‘Umar’s administration? Give reasons for your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2020 · Q3a[10]
Write a detailed account about the Battle of Yarmuk fought in the caliphate of ‘Umar.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2020 · Q3b[4]
What was the significance of the conquest of Jerusalem in ‘Umar’s caliphate? Give reasons for your answer.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This question was only attempted by a small number of candidates and was the least popular on the paper. There were a variety of responses to this question, with some responses being credited with high marks, while others either misread the question or did not understand it. A common mistake among those responses which misunderstood the question confused it with the Battle of Nahrawan fought in th...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0493/22 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Good responses showed an understanding of the reasons for the revolt against ʿUthman and they knew the events of the rebellion. Reasons for the revolt included, the appointment of relatives and clan members to important government posts, leniency shown towards them in both personal and professional conduct, ʿUthman’s spending from the public treasury on his relatives and burning copies of the Qur’...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0493/21 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
Good responses were able to show they had selected the most serious consequence of ʿUthman’s assassination and gave reasons for their selection. This evaluation was required for a successful answer. Weaker responses were characterised by a list of consequences without saying which was the most serious and why.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0493/21 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
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