GCSE Religious Studies - Exam Structure (AQA)

Question 1

What are the two routes through this specification?

Answer 1

Including or excluding Textual studies

Question 2

In the Textual studies route, which questions must students answer?

Answer 2

Questions on either Christianity or Catholic Christianity, plus one religion from the other five specified religions in Component 1B and two from six religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes, plus both textual studies themes in Component 2B

Question 3

What are the requirements for the non-Textual studies route?

Answer 3

Students must answer questions on two specified religions in Component 1A (Christianity and Catholic Christianity are prohibited combinations) and four from six religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes in Component 2A

Question 4

Which themes are examined in Component 2A?

Answer 4

Themes A–F

Question 5

Which themes are examined in Component 2B?

Answer 5

Themes A–H

Question 6

What is assessed in the study of religions?

Answer 6

Beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions from the following list: Buddhism, Christianity, Catholic Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism.

Christianity and Catholic Christianity is a prohibited combination.

Question 7

How long is the written exam for the study of religions?

Answer 7

1 hour 45 minutes

Question 8

How many marks is the written exam worth?

Answer 8

96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

Question 9

What percentage of the GCSE does the study of religions account for?

Answer 9

50%

Question 10

How many questions does each religion have in the exam?

Answer 10

Two five-part questions

Question 11

What are the mark allocations for each part of the questions in the exam?

Answer 11

1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks

Question 12

Out of how many marks is each religion assessed?

Answer 12

48

Question 13

What are the two types of studies assessed in Component 2?

Answer 13

Religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes and textual studies themes

The assessment can focus on either four themes from the first category or two from each category.

Question 14

List all the religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes.

Answer 14

• Theme A: Relationships and families
• Theme B: Religion and life
• Theme C: The existence of God and revelation
• Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict
• Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment
• Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice

These themes explore various aspects of religion and ethics.

Question 15

List the textual studies themes.

Answer 15

• Theme G: St Mark’s Gospel – the life of Jesus
• Theme H: St Mark’s Gospel as a source of religious, moral and spiritual truths

These themes focus specifically on the Gospel of St Mark.

Question 16

What is the duration of the written exam for Component 2?

Answer 16

1 hour 45 minutes

This is the total time allocated for the exam.

Question 17

How many marks is the written exam out of?

Answer 17

96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

SPaG contributes to the overall score but is separate from the main assessment marks.

Question 18

What percentage of the GCSE does Component 2 represent?

Answer 18

50% of GCSE

This indicates the weight of this component in the overall GCSE qualification.

Question 19

What is the structure of questions for each theme?

Answer 19

One five-part question of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks

Each part of the question assesses varying levels of understanding and complexity.

Question 20

How is each theme marked?

Answer 20

Each theme is marked out of 24

This provides a standardized way to evaluate responses across different themes.