AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062): complete guide to the two papers, the two religions and the themes
A complete guide to AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (specification 8062). Covers the two written papers, the beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam, the four religious, philosophical and ethical themes, the 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 mark question pattern, and how to study each part for top grades.
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (specification 8062) is a linear course assessed by two written papers at the end of the course. There is no coursework. This page is the index: below is a map of the two religions, the four themes, the exam structure, and how to study each part.
Paper 1: the study of two religions
Paper 1 tests the beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions. On this site these are Christianity and Islam, each split into beliefs and practices.
- Christianity: beliefs and teachings
- The nature of God (omnipotent, loving and just), the Trinity, creation, the afterlife, the problem of evil, and beliefs about Jesus including the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and salvation.
- Christianity: practices
- Forms of worship and prayer, the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion, festivals such as Christmas and Easter, the role of the church in the local and worldwide community, and mission and charity.
- Islam: beliefs and teachings
- The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shia Islam, the nature of Allah (Tawhid), prophethood (Risalah), holy books, angels, predestination and life after death.
- Islam: practices
- The Five Pillars and the Ten Obligatory Acts, the Shahadah, prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), almsgiving (Zakah), pilgrimage (Hajj), and festivals such as Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha.
Paper 2: the four thematic studies
Paper 2 applies religious teachings to four religious, philosophical and ethical themes.
- Theme A: Relationships and families
- Marriage, cohabitation and same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage, the family and gender roles, sexuality, and contraception.
- Theme B: Religion and life
- The origins of the universe and life, the sanctity of life, abortion, euthanasia, beliefs about death, and the use of animals and the environment.
- Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict
- The causes of war, the just war theory, holy war and pacifism, violence and terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction.
- Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment
- The causes of crime, the aims of punishment (retribution, deterrence, reformation and protection), forgiveness, and the death penalty.
Exam structure
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A is assessed by two written papers, both sat at the end of the course.
- Paper 1: The study of religions - the beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions. 1 hour 45 minutes, 96 marks, 50%.
- Paper 2: Thematic studies - four religious, philosophical and ethical themes. 1 hour 45 minutes, 96 marks, 50%.
Each topic is examined with the 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 mark question pattern, and the 12 mark evaluation questions carry an extra 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
How to study AQA Religious Studies
Religious Studies rewards precise teachings, the ability to contrast views, and balanced evaluation.
- Work from the specification statements. Each named belief, practice or issue is a checklist; questions are written from them.
- Learn a teaching for every point. Mark schemes reward quoting or paraphrasing scripture and sources, such as you shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
- Master contrasting views. The 4 mark questions reward differences within and between Christianity and Islam.
- Plan both sides of every evaluation. The 12 mark questions need arguments for, arguments against, teaching and a justified conclusion.
- Practise the question pattern. Drill the 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 mark items against the mark scheme and watch spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The religions and themes, dot point by dot point
Each part has specification-statement-level answer pages with worked exam questions and cross-links, plus an overview guide and quiz. Browse the full set at /gcse-aqa/religious-studies/syllabus.
For the official specification
AQA publishes the full specification (8062), past papers and mark schemes at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.
Religious Studies guides
In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.
- Christianity: Beliefs and teachings overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of the Christianity Beliefs and teachings unit for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, Jesus, salvation and the afterlife.
7 min readRead → - Christianity: Practices overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of the Christianity Practices unit for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering worship, prayer, the sacraments, festivals, the role of the Church and charity.
7 min readRead → - Islam: Beliefs and teachings overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of the Islam Beliefs and teachings unit for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the six articles, the five roots, the nature of Allah, prophethood, angels and the afterlife.
7 min readRead → - Islam: Practices overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of the Islam Practices unit for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the Five Pillars, the Ten Obligatory Acts, jihad, festivals and worship in the mosque.
7 min readRead → - Theme A: Relationships and families overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of Theme A, Relationships and families, for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering marriage, divorce, the family, gender roles, sexuality and contraception.
6 min readRead → - Theme B: Religion and life overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of Theme B, Religion and life, for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering origins of the universe and life, the sanctity of life, abortion, euthanasia and the environment.
6 min readRead → - Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of Theme D, Religion, peace and conflict, for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering violence, terrorism, war, the just war, pacifism and weapons of mass destruction.
6 min readRead → - Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment overview - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A
An overview of Theme E, Religion, crime and punishment, for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty.
6 min readRead →
Religious Studies practice quizzes
Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.
- Christianity: Beliefs and teachings quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A10 questionsStart →
- Christianity: Practices quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A10 questionsStart →
- Islam: Beliefs and teachings quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A10 questionsStart →
- Islam: Practices quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A10 questionsStart →
- Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A12 questionsStart →
- Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A12 questionsStart →
- Theme A: Relationships and families quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A12 questionsStart →
- Theme B: Religion and life quiz - AQA GCSE Religious Studies A12 questionsStart →
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