Solving previous years' papers can be a highly effective strategy to build confidence in tackling challenging or unfamiliar history questions. Here is a detailed explanation of how it can help:

1. Familiarity with Question Patterns:
Solving previous years' papers gives you an opportunity to understand the question patterns and the types of questions that are commonly asked in history exams. This familiarity can boost your confidence as you become better prepared to tackle similar questions in future exams.

2. Identifying Important Topics:
By solving previous years' papers, you can identify the important topics that are frequently asked in history exams. This helps you prioritize your study plan and focus on the areas that carry more weightage. When you come across challenging or unfamiliar questions related to these important topics, you will be more confident in your ability to answer them.

3. Exposure to Different Question Formats:
History exams often include questions in various formats, such as multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay-type questions. Solving previous years' papers exposes you to different question formats, allowing you to understand how to approach and answer each type of question effectively. This exposure helps build your confidence in tackling challenging or unfamiliar question formats.

4. Testing Your Knowledge and Skills:
Solving previous years' papers serves as a self-assessment tool. By attempting these papers, you can test your knowledge and skills in different topics of history. This practice helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to focus on improving your weaker areas. As you gain more confidence in your knowledge and skills, you become better equipped to tackle challenging or unfamiliar history questions.

5. Time Management:
History exams often have time constraints, and managing time effectively is crucial. Solving previous years' papers helps you develop a sense of time management by practicing under similar exam conditions. As you become more proficient in managing your time, you will feel more confident in your ability to complete the exam within the allocated time and tackle challenging questions within the given timeframe.

In conclusion, solving previous years' papers can significantly enhance your confidence in tackling challenging or unfamiliar history questions. It provides familiarity with question patterns, helps identify important topics, exposes you to different question formats, tests your knowledge and skills, and improves your time management abilities. Incorporating this practice into your study routine can be a valuable strategy for success in history exams.