You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 4 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
Paper Structure and Assessment Overview
Paper Structure and Assessment Overview
Understanding the structure and assessment framework of AQA A-Level Religious Studies (specification 7062) is essential before you begin any focused revision. This lesson provides a comprehensive breakdown of both papers, the assessment objectives, the question types you will encounter, the command words used by AQA, and the timing strategies that will allow you to maximise every mark available. Candidates who understand the architecture of the exam consistently outperform those who dive straight into content revision without knowing what the examiner is looking for.
Overview of the Qualification
AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062) is a linear qualification, meaning all examinations are sat at the end of the two-year course. There is no coursework component — 100% of your grade comes from written examinations. The qualification is assessed through two papers, each worth 50% of the total A-Level grade.
| Paper | Title | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Philosophy of Religion and Ethics | 3 hours | 100 marks | 50% |
| Paper 2 | Study of Religion and Dialogues | 3 hours | 100 marks | 50% |
Both papers are sat in the summer examination series. Each paper is three hours long, which is a significant amount of writing time — but you will need every minute if you plan your answers properly.
Key Point: Because there is no coursework, your entire grade depends on your performance across these two papers. Exam technique is therefore absolutely critical.
Paper 1: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
Paper 1 is divided into two sections:
Section A — Philosophy of Religion
Section A contains questions on the Philosophy of Religion. You must answer three questions from this section. The questions are structured as follows:
- One 3-mark question (short answer)
- One 15-mark question (extended writing with some evaluation)
- One 25-mark question (extended response requiring sustained analysis and evaluation)
Topics covered in the Philosophy of Religion section include:
- Arguments for the existence of God (design, cosmological, ontological)
- Evil and suffering
- Religious experience
- Religious language
- Miracles
- Self, death and the afterlife
Section B — Ethics
Section B contains questions on Ethics and follows the same structure as Section A:
- One 3-mark question
- One 15-mark question
- One 25-mark question
You must answer three questions from this section. Topics include:
- Ethical theories (utilitarianism, situation ethics, natural moral law, Kantian ethics, virtue ethics)
- Issues of human life and death (abortion, euthanasia)
- Issues of animal life and death
- Introduction to meta-ethics
- Free will and moral responsibility
- Conscience
- Bentham and Kant
Total for Paper 1: You will answer six questions (three from Section A, three from Section B) for a total of 100 marks.
Paper 2: Study of Religion and Dialogues
Paper 2 is also divided into two sections:
Section A — Study of Religion
You will study one religion in depth (Christianity or Islam, depending on your centre's choice). Section A contains three questions on this study of religion:
- One 3-mark question
- One 15-mark question
- One 25-mark question
Topics include sources of wisdom and authority, God/ultimate reality, self/death/afterlife, good conduct and key moral principles, expression of religious identity, and religion/gender/sexuality.
Section B — Dialogues
Section B focuses on the dialogue between philosophy, ethics, and the study of religion. Again, you answer three questions:
- One 3-mark question
- One 15-mark question
- One 25-mark question
Topics include how the study of religion relates to philosophical and ethical themes, the challenge of secularism, the relationship between religion and science, the dialogue between religious and non-religious perspectives, and the influence of religion on ethical debates.
Total for Paper 2: You will answer six questions (three from Section A, three from Section B) for a total of 100 marks.
Assessment Objectives
AQA assesses Religious Studies through two assessment objectives, each weighted equally:
| Assessment Objective | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including accurate and relevant use of specialist language and terminology, use of relevant sources of wisdom and authority, and understanding of key concepts. | 50% |
| AO2 | Analyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study, using well-evidenced and reasoned arguments. | 50% |
This 50/50 split is extremely important. It means that half of every mark you earn depends on your ability to analyse and evaluate, not just to describe or explain. Many students lose marks because they focus too heavily on AO1 (knowledge) and neglect AO2 (evaluation). At A-Level, you must demonstrate critical thinking throughout your answers.
How AO1 and AO2 Apply to Each Question Type
| Question Type | AO1 Weighting | AO2 Weighting | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-mark | 3 marks (100%) | 0 marks (0%) | 3 marks |
| 15-mark | 9 marks (60%) | 6 marks (40%) | 15 marks |
| 25-mark | 10 marks (40%) | 15 marks (60%) | 25 marks |
Notice the shift: in the 3-mark question, AO2 is not assessed at all — it is purely a test of knowledge. In the 15-mark question, AO1 still dominates but AO2 is significant. In the 25-mark question, AO2 is the majority of the marks. This has a direct impact on how you should structure your answers.
Question Types in Detail
3-Mark Questions
These are short-answer knowledge questions. They typically use command words such as:
- "Give three..."
- "Identify three..."
- "State three..."
You earn 1 mark per valid point. There is no need for extended explanation, evaluation, or development. A simple, accurate statement is sufficient for each mark.
Example question stems:
- "Give three characteristics of virtue ethics."
- "Identify three of the Five Pillars of Islam."
- "State three features of the cosmological argument."
Tip: Do not waste time writing in full sentences for 3-mark questions. Bullet points are perfectly acceptable and save valuable time.
15-Mark Questions
These questions require extended writing and test mainly AO1 (knowledge and understanding) but also include AO2 (analysis and evaluation). Typical command words include:
- "Explain two..."
- "Examine..."
- "Clarify..."
You are expected to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding, use specialist vocabulary accurately, refer to relevant scholars and sources of wisdom and authority, and include some evaluation.
AQA Mark Scheme Descriptors for 15-Mark Questions:
| Level | Marks | AO1 Descriptor | AO2 Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13–15 | A very well-focused, thorough and accurate response demonstrating thorough knowledge and understanding. Excellent use of sources and specialist terms. | A very well-focused, thorough and accurate response with well-integrated and highly relevant analysis and evaluation. |
| 4 | 10–12 | A well-focused response demonstrating good knowledge and understanding with good use of sources and specialist terms. | A well-focused response with integrated and relevant analysis and evaluation. |
| 3 | 7–9 | A satisfactory response demonstrating knowledge and understanding with some use of sources and specialist terms. | A satisfactory response with some analysis and evaluation. |
| 2 | 4–6 | A limited response demonstrating partial knowledge and understanding with limited use of specialist terms. | A limited response with little analysis and evaluation. |
| 1 | 1–3 | A very limited and largely inaccurate response. | A very limited response with minimal or no analysis. |
25-Mark Questions
These are extended response essays and carry the most marks. They are heavily weighted towards AO2 (analysis and evaluation). Typical command words include:
- "To what extent..."
- "Critically evaluate..."
- "Assess..."
- "How far do you agree..."
- "'Statement.' Discuss."
AQA Mark Scheme Descriptors for 25-Mark Questions:
| Level | Marks | AO1 Descriptor (max 10) | AO2 Descriptor (max 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 21–25 | A thorough, wide-ranging and accurate response. Very well-organised with excellent use of specialist terms and sources. | A very well-focused and thorough response. Critical analysis and evaluation are perceptive, fully sustained and well-evidenced with a clear conclusion. |
| 4 | 16–20 | A good, accurate response with good organisation and use of specialist terms and sources. | A well-focused response with good, sustained analysis and evaluation with a clear conclusion. |
| 3 | 11–15 | A satisfactory response with knowledge and understanding. Some use of specialist terms and sources. | A satisfactory response with some analysis and evaluation, partially sustained. |
| 2 | 6–10 | A limited response with partial knowledge. | A limited response with little sustained analysis and evaluation. |
| 1 | 1–5 | A very limited, largely inaccurate response. | A very limited response with minimal analysis and evaluation. |
Command Words
AQA uses specific command words, each of which signals a different type of response:
| Command Word | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Give / Identify / State | Recall one or more pieces of information | Write a brief, accurate point for each mark |
| Explain | Set out the meaning of something with reasons | Write in developed paragraphs showing how and why |
| Examine | Investigate in detail, showing knowledge and analysis | Combine description with analytical commentary |
| Assess | Make an informed judgement | Weigh up different perspectives and reach a conclusion |
| Evaluate | Judge the worth or significance of something | Consider strengths and weaknesses, reach a reasoned conclusion |
| Critically evaluate | Judge the worth using evidence and reasoning from multiple perspectives | Present and challenge arguments systematically |
| To what extent | Consider how far a statement is true | Argue for and against, then give a balanced judgement |
| Discuss | Present multiple viewpoints and analyse them | Explore different angles before reaching a conclusion |
Timing Strategies
With 3 hours per paper and 100 marks, you have approximately 1.8 minutes per mark. However, you also need reading and planning time. A recommended breakdown for each paper is:
| Activity | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading the paper and initial planning | 10 minutes | — |
| 3-mark question (Section A) | 3–4 minutes | 3 |
| 15-mark question (Section A) | 25 minutes | 15 |
| 25-mark question (Section A) | 42 minutes | 25 |
| 3-mark question (Section B) | 3–4 minutes | 3 |
| 15-mark question (Section B) | 25 minutes | 15 |
| 25-mark question (Section B) | 42 minutes | 25 |
| Final check and review | 10 minutes | — |
| Total | ~180 minutes | 86 marks (+ 14 via quality of response) |
Strategy: Always start with the questions you feel most confident about. This builds momentum and ensures you secure your strongest marks first. Never spend more than 45 minutes on a 25-mark question — diminishing returns set in quickly after the first 40 minutes.
Summary
- AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062) is assessed through two papers, each worth 50% of the total grade.
- Each paper is 3 hours long and worth 100 marks.
- Paper 1 covers Philosophy of Religion (Section A) and Ethics (Section B).
- Paper 2 covers Study of Religion (Section A) and Dialogues (Section B).
- Assessment objectives are split 50% AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and 50% AO2 (analysis and evaluation).
- Question types are 3-mark (knowledge only), 15-mark (mainly knowledge with some evaluation), and 25-mark (mainly evaluation with supporting knowledge).
- Understanding command words is essential to producing the right type of response.
- Effective time management is critical — plan your time before you start writing.