'Uthman: past paper questions
Real questions on 'uthman
The newest 13 of 13 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0493/21 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[10]
3 (a) Write an account of the issues faced by ‘Uthman during the last six years of his caliphate which led to the rebellion against him. [10]
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[4]
What does ‘Uthman’s refusal to call the military to end the rebellion tell you about his character?
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[10]
Write an account of ʿUthman’s selection as caliph and how he governed the caliphate.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
To what extent was ʿUthman a successful military commander? Give reasons to support your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2023 · Q3a[10]
Write an account of ʿUthman’s administration and military achievements during his caliphate.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2023 · Q3b[4]
In your opinion what was ʿUthman’s greatest act as caliph? Give reasons to support your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · October/November 2022 · Q3a[10]
Give an account of the administrative reforms that improved the lives of people in ͑ Umar’s caliphate.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2022 · Q4a[10]
Write an account of the martyrdom of ͑ Uthman and the election of ͑ Ali as caliph.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2021 · Q3a[10]
͑ Uthman was the third caliph of Islam. Write an account of his election and the administration of his caliphate.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2021 · Q3b[4]
‘ ͑ Uthman’s greatest achievement as caliph was the compilation of the Qur’an’. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2020 · Q3a[10]
Give an account of the administration of the caliphate under ‘Uthman.
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · October/November 2020 · Q3b[4]
In your opinion what was ‘Uthman’s greatest achievement as caliph?
See it on the paper → - 0493/21 · May/June 2019 · Q3a[10]
Outline the reasons for the unrest against ‘Uthman and write an account of the rebellion in Madina that led to his martyrdom.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
A good number of responses which attempted this question wrote about ʿUthman’s administrative policies, reforms, his military successes in expanding the empire and setting up the first Muslim naval fleet. A few answered one part of the question and not the other and a small majority focused the answer on his election which was not what was being asked for. Once again, it is worth noting that respo...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0493/21 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
For this part, answer responses needed to select which of ʿUthman’s acts as caliph was the greatest in their opinion and say why they had chosen that act. Many wrote about the compilation of the Qur’an as his greatest act and supported their answer with a discussion of what may have happened had the compilation in his caliphate had not been made. Others wrote about him sacrificing his life so as...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0493/21 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
Strong responses kept the focus of the answer on how the rebels came back to Madina after leaving once their main demand was met, how they laid siege to the caliph’s house and what ensued and the details of the attack on the caliph. The causes and background of the rebellion was read as development of the answer. However, many candidates made the causes of the rebellion the focus of the answer and...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0493/22 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
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