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Exam Review

Key Facts: GCE A/L History Exam

50 MCQs

Paper 1 Multiple-Choice Items

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

5 Hours

Total Examination Duration (Paper 1 & 2)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Subject 29

Official National Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Grade S

Minimum Passing Standard

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

3 Media

Offered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka GCE A/L History (Subject Code 25) examination evaluates candidate knowledge of Sri Lankan, Indian, and modern world history across two papers: a 50-question MCQ Paper 1 (2 hours) and an essay-based Paper 2 (3 hours). A grade of S or higher is required for an ordinary pass.

Sample GCE A/L History Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE A/L History exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which ancient chronicle is considered the oldest surviving Pali chronicle in Sri Lanka, recording the history of the island up to the reign of King Mahasen?
A.Dipavamsa
B.Culavamsa
C.Rajavaliya
D.Pujavaliya
Explanation: The Dipavamsa (Chronicle of the Island) was composed in the 4th century CE by Buddhist monastics and is the oldest extant historical chronicle of Sri Lanka. Written in Pali verse, it documents the legendary arrival of Vijaya, the introduction of Buddhism, and the royal lineage through the reign of King Mahasen. The later and more literary Mahavamsa drew heavily upon the material preserved in the Dipavamsa.
2Who is credited with writing the original first portion (chapters 1 to 37) of the Mahavamsa in the 5th century CE?
A.Ven. Dhammakitti Thera
B.Ven. Mahanama Thera
C.Ven. Buddhaghosa Thera
D.Ven. Mayurapada Thera
Explanation: The Mahavamsa was composed by the Buddhist monk Ven. Mahanama Thera at the Dighasanda Senapati Parivena in Anuradhapura during the 5th century CE. It rendered the older Sinhala-Atthakatha (commentarial traditions) into ornate Pali poetic meter. The work details the historical chronology of the island and the establishment of Buddhism up to King Mahasen's reign.
3What is the primary script used in the earliest epigraphic records discovered across ancient Sri Lankan rock shelters and drip-ledge caves?
A.Nagari script
B.Grantha script
C.Early Brahmi script
D.Kalinga script
Explanation: The earliest inscriptions in Sri Lanka, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, were carved below the drip-ledges (katarama) of monastic caves in the Early Brahmi script. These donor inscriptions record the names, titles, and lineage of rulers, officials, and lay donors dedicating caves to the Sangha. Epigraphist Senarath Paranavitana documented thousands of these in his landmark epigraphical corpus.
4Archaeological excavations directed by Dr. S.U. Deraniyagala at the Citadel of Anuradhapura yielded evidence of radiocarbon-dated Early Historic cultural horizons with Brahmi potsherds as early as:
A.Around 100 CE
B.Between 1000 BCE and 900 BCE
C.Around 250 BCE
D.Between 600 BCE and 500 BCE
Explanation: Deep stratigraphical excavations at the Gedige site in the Citadel of Anuradhapura revealed Early Historic ceramic sherds bearing Brahmi graffiti dating back to between 600 BCE and 500 BCE. This evidence demonstrated that urban settlement and writing traditions in the Malwatu Oya basin predate the formal Mauryan missionary era. These findings substantially revised earlier chronologies concerning early urbanization in Sri Lanka.
5According to the Mahavamsa, which monarch formally unified the settlements into a planned capital city with defined administrative boundaries and sanitation services at Anuradhapura?
A.King Pandukabhaya
B.King Panduvasudeva
C.King Vijaya
D.King Mutasiva
Explanation: King Pandukabhaya (4th century BCE) is celebrated as the founder of the city of Anuradhapura. He laid out the city boundaries, established quarters for different communities (such as the Yonas and various religious ascetics), built cemeteries, and appointed a Nagaraguttika (city governor). He also constructed the Abhaya Wewa (Basawakkulama) to provide the nascent capital with an assured water supply.
6Buddhism was officially introduced to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa through the mission sent by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, led by which missionary?
A.Arahant Majjhantika
B.Arahant Mahinda
C.Arahant Yonaka Dhammarakkhita
D.Arahant Mahadharmaraksita
Explanation: Arahant Mahinda Thera, son of Emperor Ashoka of India, arrived in Sri Lanka on Poson Full Moon Poya day in the 3rd century BCE. He met King Devanampiyatissa at Missaka Pawa (Mihintale) and preached the Chulahathipadopama Sutta, converting the king and royal court. This historic event led to the establishment of the Mahavihara and the Theravada monastic tradition across the island.
7Which significant sacred object was brought to Sri Lanka by Theri Sanghamitta, leading to the foundation of the Bhikkhuni Sasana (order of Buddhist nuns)?
A.The Sacred Tooth Relic
B.The Hair Relic (Kesa Dhatu)
C.A southern sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
D.The Right Collarbone Relic
Explanation: Theri Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, arrived at the port of Dambakola Patuna carrying a southern branch of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya. King Devanampiyatissa received the sacred sapling with state honors and planted it in the Mahamevna Gardens in Anuradhapura. Along with her mission, Sanghamitta ordained Queen Anula and five hundred women, establishing the Bhikkhuni lineage in Sri Lanka.
8The 1st-century CE Vallipuram Gold Plate inscription discovered in the Jaffna peninsula provides critical epigraphical evidence confirming:
A.The invasion of the island by South Indian Pandyan forces
B.The establishment of a separate independent Tamil kingdom in the 1st century CE
C.The introduction of Roman-Dutch legal principles to northern ports
D.The construction of a Buddhist vihara in Nagadipa by the minister Isigiraya under King Vasabha
Explanation: The Vallipuram Gold Plate inscription, engraved in Early Brahmi, records that during the reign of King Vasabha (67–111 CE), his minister (amacco) named Isigiraya was governing Nagadipa (the Jaffna peninsula) and erected the Piyaguka Tissa Vihara. This inscription proves the territorial reach of the Anuradhapura central monarchy over northern Sri Lanka during the 1st century CE. It also attests to the early prevalence of Buddhism in the peninsula.
9Which monumental stupa was constructed by King Dutugemunu in Anuradhapura to commemorate the reunification of the realm?
A.Ruwanwelisaya (Mahathupa)
B.Jetavanaramaya
C.Abhayagiriya
D.Rankoth Vehera
Explanation: King Dutugemunu (161–137 BCE) defeated the Chola ruler Elara and reunified the island under one crown. To celebrate the restoration of Buddhist governance and house sacred relics, he constructed the Ruwanwelisaya (also known as the Mahathupa or Swarnamali Chaitya) alongside the Mirisawetiya Stupa and the nine-story Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace). The construction details of the Mahathupa form an extensive section of the Mahavamsa.
10Under the patronage of King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) in the 1st century BCE, which major historical event took place at Aluvihara in Matale?
A.The complete compilation of the Mahavamsa commentary
B.The commitment of the Theravada Buddhist Tipitaka into writing on ola leaves
C.The arrival of the tooth relic from Kalinga
D.The unification of the three monastic fraternities under royal decree
Explanation: Following severe famine (the Beminitiya Seya) and foreign invasions that threatened the oral preservation of the Buddhist canon, King Valagamba patronized a council of five hundred monks at Aluvihara in Matale. For the first time in Buddhist history, the entire Pali Tipitaka and its commentarial interpretations were transcribed onto talipot palm (ola) leaves. This ensured the text's survival against future demographic and political upheavals.

About the GCE A/L History Exam

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) History examination (Subject Code 25) is conducted annually by the Department of Examinations, under the Ministry of Education. Offered primarily in the Arts stream, the syllabus cultivates rigorous historical understanding, contextual reasoning, source critique, and thematic analysis. Candidates explore the social, economic, cultural, and political developments of Sri Lanka from early prehistory and the ancient hydraulic civilization through the medieval shifts of power, European colonial occupations, and the path to independence. In addition, the curriculum covers either Indian history or modern world history, providing students with broad comparative perspectives on state formation, social movements, imperial expansions, and international relations. Performance in this subject contributes directly to the candidate's Z-score calculation for state university admission into faculties of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Law. This independent 100-question study bank assists students in reviewing essential concepts across all four major syllabus sections.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The G.C.E. Advanced Level History examination consists of two written papers, each allotted 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time in the Department of Examinations timetable: Paper I (History of Sri Lanka) and Paper II, for which candidates offer History of India, History of Europe, or History of the Modern World. Both papers use structured and essay questions; there is no separate multiple-choice paper.

Time Limit

Paper I: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 6 hours 20 minutes)

Passing Score

Grade S or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 65% to 75% of candidates achieve a passing grade (S or above) in GCE A/L History annually.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Ancient Sri Lanka and Hydraulic Civilization

Historical sources and epigraphy, Anuradhapura Kingdom, irrigation engineering (wewas, sluices, and canals), introduction and spread of Buddhism, administrative structures, and the Polonnaruwa era.

20%

Medieval and Early Modern Sri Lanka

Decline of Rajarata, shift of southwestern capitals, Kingdom of Kotte, Kingdom of Sitawaka, arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch maritime rule, and the political organization of the Kandyan Kingdom.

30%

British Colonial Rule and National Movement

Kandyan Convention of 1815, 1818 and 1848 rebellions, Colebrooke-Cameron reforms, plantation economy, Buddhist and socio-religious revivals, constitutional evolution, and independence in 1948.

25%

Indian and Modern World History

Indus Valley civilization, Mauryan and Mughal empires, Indian national movement, European Renaissance and Reformation, Industrial Revolution, French Revolution, World Wars, and the United Nations.

Preparing for the GCE A/L History Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher
  • Assessment: The G.C.E. Advanced Level History examination consists of two written papers, each allotted 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time in the Department of Examinations timetable: Paper I (History of Sri Lanka) and Paper II, for which candidates offer History of India, History of Europe, or History of the Modern World. Both papers use structured and essay questions; there is no separate multiple-choice paper.
  • Time limit: Paper I: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 6 hours 20 minutes)
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the examination format for Sri Lanka GCE A/L History (Subject Code 25)?

The examination consists of two papers taken on separate sessions. Paper 1 has 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions (2 hours) assessing factual recall, chronology, and concept identification across all syllabus themes. Paper 2 has structured and essay questions (3 hours) requiring in-depth historical analysis, essay arguments, and source evaluation.

Which historical streams are covered under Subject Code 25?

The curriculum includes Sri Lankan history from ancient beginnings to post-independence governance, paired with either Indian history (from Indus Valley to the national movement) or Modern World history (from the Renaissance and Enlightenment to the World Wars and the United Nations).

How is GCE A/L History graded in Sri Lanka?

The Department of Examinations uses standard five-tier grading: A (Distinction, 75–100), B (Very Good Pass, 65–74), C (Credit Pass, 55–64), S (Ordinary Pass, 35–54), and F (Failure, 0–34). The raw mark is converted to a standardized Z-score for state university admission ranking.

In what language media can candidates take the GCE A/L History exam?

The examination is conducted in three official media: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Candidates must answer all questions in the specific language medium for which they registered.

What university programs can candidates enter with GCE A/L History?

High-achieving candidates can qualify for entry into faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law (LL.B.), Education, Mass Communication, International Relations, and Archaeology across Sri Lankan state universities.