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AQA Paper Structure & Question Types
AQA Paper Structure & Question Types
Before you can master exam technique for GCSE Religious Studies, you need a thorough understanding of what the AQA exam actually looks like. This lesson breaks down both papers, every question type you will encounter, the command words AQA uses, the assessment objectives your answers are marked against, and how SPaG marks work. Knowing the structure inside out is the first step to maximising your score.
Overview of the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A Qualification
AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification A (8062) is assessed entirely through two written exam papers. There is no coursework, no controlled assessment, and no non-exam assessment (NEA). Your entire grade depends on how you perform across two exam sittings.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Specification code | 8062 (Specification A) |
| Total marks | 192 (96 per paper) |
| Total exam time | 3 hours 30 minutes (1 hour 45 minutes per paper) |
| Grading | 9–1 (with 9 being the highest) |
| Tiers | There is no tiering — all students sit the same papers |
| Assessment objectives | AO1 (knowledge and understanding) 50% and AO2 (analysis and evaluation) 50% |
| SPaG marks | 3 marks available on each 12-mark evaluation question |
Key Point: Because there is no coursework, you cannot compensate for a poor exam with other work. Every mark on the exam papers counts directly towards your final grade. This makes exam technique critically important.
Paper 1: The Study of Religions — Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices
Paper 1 is worth 96 marks and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. It is worth 50% of your GCSE. It is divided into two sections, each covering a complete religion.
Section A: Christianity — Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices
You must answer all questions in Section A. This section covers Christian beliefs and Christian practices as two sub-sections.
Christian Beliefs topics include:
- The nature of God (omnipotent, omnibenevolent, just, the Trinity)
- The problem of evil and suffering
- The creation narrative (Genesis 1 and 2)
- The incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus
- The afterlife (heaven, hell, purgatory, judgement)
- Sin and salvation (original sin, grace, the role of Christ)
Christian Practices topics include:
- Worship (liturgical, non-liturgical, informal, private prayer)
- The role of sacraments (baptism, Eucharist/Holy Communion)
- Pilgrimage and celebration (Lourdes, Iona, Christmas, Easter)
- The role of the Church in the local community (food banks, street pastors)
- The place of mission, evangelism, and Church growth
- The worldwide Church (reconciliation, persecution, the work of organisations like Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD)
Section B: Islam — Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices (or Second Religion)
Section B follows the same structure but covers a second religion. Most centres study Islam alongside Christianity, though Judaism is also an option under Specification A.
Islamic Beliefs topics include:
- The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam
- Tawhid (the oneness of God), the nature of Allah (immanent, transcendent, omnipotent, beneficent, merciful, fairness/Adalat in Shi'a Islam)
- Angels (Jibril, Mika'il), their role in communicating God's message
- Predestination (al-Qadr) and human free will
- Akhirah (the afterlife, judgement, paradise/Jannah and hell/Jahannam)
- Prophethood (Risalah) — Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets
- The holy books (Qur'an, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Scrolls of Abraham)
Islamic Practices topics include:
- The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam
- Shahadah (declaration of faith)
- Salah (prayer — how, when, and why Muslims pray)
- Sawm (fasting during Ramadan)
- Zakah (almsgiving) and Khums (Shi'a one-fifth tax)
- Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)
- Jihad (greater and lesser jihad)
- Festivals (Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, Ashura)
Paper 1 Question Types
Each religion section on Paper 1 follows an identical question structure. You answer questions on both religions.
| Question | Type | Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.1 | "Which one of the following..." — Multiple choice | 1 mark | 1 minute |
| 01.2 | "Give two..." — Brief factual recall | 2 marks | 2 minutes |
| 01.3 | "Explain two contrasting..." beliefs or practices | 4 marks | 5 minutes |
| 01.4 | "Explain two..." beliefs, teachings, or practices with reference to a source of wisdom and authority | 5 marks | 6 minutes |
| 01.5 | "Evaluate this statement" — Extended evaluation essay | 12 marks (+3 SPaG) | 25 minutes |
Exam Tip: Question 01.5 is the highest-value question in each religion section. It carries 12 marks plus 3 SPaG marks, making it worth 15 marks in total. You must allocate enough time (at least 25 minutes) and write a structured essay with arguments for and against, supported by religious teachings and a contrasting viewpoint. This question alone is worth roughly 15% of each paper.
Paper 2: Thematic Studies
Paper 2 is also worth 96 marks, lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, and accounts for the other 50% of your GCSE. It covers four thematic studies.
The Four Themes
You must study all four of the following themes:
| Theme | Code | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Theme A: Relationships and Families | 8062/2A | Marriage, sexual relationships, families, gender equality, gender discrimination |
| Theme B: Religion and Life | 8062/2B | Origins of the universe, value of the world, use and abuse of the environment, animal rights, abortion, euthanasia, death and the afterlife |
| Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation | 8062/2C | Design argument, First Cause argument, miracles, religious experience, the problem of evil/suffering, atheist and theist arguments, special and general revelation |
| Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict | 8062/2D | Violence, terrorism, reasons for war, just war theory, holy war, pacifism, weapons of mass destruction, role of religion in peacemaking, forgiveness and reconciliation |
Important: Some schools study only two themes on Paper 2 and two on a different route. Check with your teacher which themes you are entered for, as the exam paper will offer all four but you only answer the ones you have studied.
Paper 2 Question Types
Each theme follows an identical question structure:
| Question | Type | Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02.1 | "Which one of the following..." — Multiple choice | 1 mark | 1 minute |
| 02.2 | "Give two..." — Brief factual recall | 2 marks | 2 minutes |
| 02.3 | "Explain two contrasting..." religious beliefs or non-religious beliefs (e.g. atheist/humanist) | 4 marks | 5 minutes |
| 02.4 | "Explain two..." religious beliefs with reference to a source of wisdom and authority | 5 marks | 6 minutes |
| 02.5 | "Evaluate this statement" — Extended evaluation essay | 12 marks (+3 SPaG) | 25 minutes |
AQA Command Words for Religious Studies
AQA uses specific command words that tell you exactly what the examiner expects. Understanding these is essential.
| Command Word | What It Means | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| "Which one of the following" | Select the correct answer from four options | Overthinking — just pick the right one quickly |
| "Give two" | State two brief facts, examples, or features — no explanation needed | Wasting time writing lengthy explanations when bullet points will do |
| "Explain two contrasting" | Describe two different or opposing beliefs/practices and explain each one | Only giving one viewpoint, or not making the contrast clear |
| "Explain two" | Give two developed points with reference to a source of wisdom and authority (e.g. a Bible verse, Qur'an verse, hadith, or Church teaching) | Forgetting to include a source of wisdom and authority — this costs marks |
| "Evaluate this statement" | Consider arguments for and against the statement, include a contrasting viewpoint, refer to religious teachings, and reach a justified conclusion | Writing a one-sided answer, or failing to include a contrasting viewpoint |
Critical Warning: The most commonly misunderstood command is "Explain two contrasting..." Students often give two similar points instead of genuinely contrasting ones. For example, if asked about contrasting Christian views on divorce, you need one view that opposes divorce (e.g. Roman Catholic teaching on the indissolubility of marriage) and one that permits it (e.g. Church of England allowing remarriage in some circumstances).
Assessment Objectives
AQA marks your answers against two Assessment Objectives (AOs). Unlike History (which uses four AOs), RS uses only two — but both are equally weighted.
| AO | What It Tests | Weighting | Which Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, practices, and sources of wisdom and authority | 50% | All questions, but especially 01.1, 01.2, 01.3, 01.4 and the knowledge component of 01.5 |
| AO2 | Analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their significance and influence; construct well-argued points of view supported by reasoning | 50% | Primarily 01.5 (the 12-mark evaluation question), though some AO2 credit is available on 01.3 and 01.4 |
Key Point: The 50/50 split between AO1 and AO2 means that knowledge alone will not get you a top grade. Half of your marks depend on your ability to construct arguments, evaluate viewpoints, and reach justified conclusions. The 12-mark evaluation question is where AO2 is primarily assessed, which is why it is the most important question to master.
How AO1 and AO2 Work Together
In the 12-mark evaluation question, you need both AOs working together:
| What AO1 Looks Like | What AO2 Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Quoting a Bible verse or Qur'an passage accurately | Explaining what that verse means for the argument |
| Naming a specific teaching (e.g. "agape love" or "Tawhid") | Explaining why this teaching supports or undermines the statement |
| Describing what a denomination or branch believes | Evaluating whether that belief provides the strongest argument |
| Stating what a scholar or authority has said | Using that authority to build or challenge your case |
SPaG Marks — Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, and Specialist Terminology
On the 12-mark evaluation questions, AQA awards up to 3 additional marks for SPaG.
| Level | Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold | 1 mark | Reasonable accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; some use of specialist terminology |
| Intermediate | 2 marks | Considerable accuracy; good range of specialist terminology used appropriately |
| High | 3 marks | Consistent accuracy throughout; wide range of specialist terminology used precisely and effectively |
What Counts as "Specialist Terminology" in Religious Studies?
This means using the correct religious vocabulary specific to the religion and topic you are writing about:
| Religion/Theme | Examples of Specialist Terminology |
|---|---|
| Christianity | Trinity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, salvation, grace, agape, omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient, sacrament, Eucharist, liturgical worship, evangelism, reconciliation |
| Islam | Tawhid, Risalah, Akhirah, Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj, Jibril, Qur'an, Sunnah, Hadith, Shi'a, Sunni, Ummah, Imam, Adalat, Khums |
| Thematic Studies | Sanctity of life, stewardship, dominion, just war, pacifism, situation ethics, natural law, euthanasia, abortion, human rights, forgiveness, reconciliation, revelation |
Exam Tip: SPaG marks are "easy" marks that many students lose through carelessness. Write clearly, use paragraphs, check your spelling of key terms (especially transliterated Arabic terms like "Tawhid" and "Akhirah"), and demonstrate that you know the correct vocabulary. These 3 marks per question add up — across the paper they can be worth 12 marks total.
Time Management Overview
With 96 marks available in 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes), you have roughly 1.1 minutes per mark. However, the questions are not evenly weighted, so you must budget your time carefully.
Recommended Time Allocation per Religion Section (Paper 1)
| Question | Marks | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|
| 01.1 — Multiple choice | 1 mark | 1 minute |
| 01.2 — Give two | 2 marks | 2 minutes |
| 01.3 — Explain two contrasting | 4 marks | 5 minutes |
| 01.4 — Explain two (with sources) | 5 marks | 6 minutes |
| 01.5 — Evaluate this statement | 12 marks + 3 SPaG | 25 minutes |
| Total per religion | 24 marks + 3 SPaG | ~39 minutes |
With two religion sections, that gives approximately 78 minutes of writing time. You should use the remaining time to read and plan.
Recommended Time Allocation per Theme (Paper 2)
The same question structure applies to each theme, so the time allocation is identical to Paper 1.
Key Point: You must not overspend on the shorter questions (01.1–01.4). These are worth a maximum of 12 marks combined, whereas the single 12-mark evaluation question (plus 3 SPaG) is worth 15 marks. Students who spend 15 minutes on the shorter questions and only 20 minutes on the evaluation will lose marks. Prioritise the 12-mark question.
Mark Allocation Across Both Papers
Understanding where the marks sit helps you prioritise your revision and exam time.
| Question Type | Marks per Instance | Instances per Paper | Total Marks per Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice (1 mark) | 1 | Varies (e.g. 2 on Paper 1, 4 on Paper 2) | Low total |
| Give two (2 marks) | 2 | Varies | Low total |
| Explain two contrasting (4 marks) | 4 | Varies | Medium total |
| Explain two with sources (5 marks) | 5 | Varies | Medium total |
| Evaluate this statement (12 + 3 SPaG) | 15 | 2 on Paper 1, 4 on Paper 2 | Highest total |
Key Point: The 12-mark evaluation questions account for the largest single chunk of marks on both papers. On Paper 1, two evaluation questions are worth 30 marks (out of 96). On Paper 2, four evaluation questions are worth 60 marks (out of 96). This means that mastering the 12-mark question is the single most impactful thing you can do.
Common Mistakes in Understanding the Paper Structure
| Mistake | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Not reading the statement in the 12-mark question carefully | You might argue against a statement that you actually agree with, or miss the specific focus |
| Spending too long on 1-mark and 2-mark questions | This leaves insufficient time for the high-value 12-mark essays |
| Forgetting to include a "contrasting viewpoint" in the 12-mark question | AQA specifically requires you to "refer to contrasting points of view" — omitting this caps your marks |
| Not including sources of wisdom and authority in the 5-mark question | The question specifically asks for reference to a source — if you omit it, you cannot access full marks |
| Confusing Paper 1 (religions) with Paper 2 (themes) | Know which topics appear on which paper — beliefs and practices are Paper 1; ethical issues are Paper 2 |
| Not answering all questions | Every question must be attempted — even a brief answer can score marks |
| Writing about the wrong religion | On Paper 1, each section specifies which religion to discuss — writing about Islam in the Christianity section earns no marks |
Summary
| Key Takeaway | Detail |
|---|---|
| Two papers | Paper 1: Study of Religions (Christianity + Islam); Paper 2: Thematic Studies (Themes A–D) |
| Each paper | 1 hour 45 minutes, 96 marks, 50% of GCSE |
| Two AOs | AO1 (knowledge and understanding, 50%) and AO2 (analysis and evaluation, 50%) |
| Key question | The 12-mark "Evaluate this statement" is the most valuable — master it |
| SPaG | 3 marks per 12-mark question — use specialist terminology correctly |
| Time management | Approximately 1.1 minutes per mark; prioritise the 12-mark evaluation |
| Command words | Know exactly what each one requires — especially "Evaluate this statement" and "Explain two contrasting" |
Understanding the exam structure is not just background knowledge — it is an active exam skill. Students who know the structure allocate their time wisely, use the right technique for each question type, and consistently outperform those who do not.