OCR GCSE Religious Studies Exam Skills overview quiz quiz

Only long essay questions throughout

Only multiple choice and short recall questions

1, 2, 3, 6 and 15 mark questions

4, 8, 12 and 16 mark questions

The 1-mark recall question that opens each section

The 3-mark description question in the middle of the section

The 6-mark Explain question testing knowledge

The 15-mark Discuss this statement question

A single accurate fact

A full developed paragraph of explanation

Two separate reasons, each developed in detail

A balanced argument considering both sides fully

List six brief undeveloped points and leave them unexplained throughout

Make two developed points, each supported by a source where asked

Write one short sentence stating a single fact without any explanation

Give only your personal opinion with no teachings or sources at all

Neat handwriting, a clear title, a fast writing pace and a tidy final paragraph

Only arguments supporting the statement, presented with no opposing view

Refer to sources, arguments for, arguments against, a justified conclusion

A labelled diagram and one quotation copied directly from the question

Simply stating that both sides of the argument are exactly equal

Repeating the wording of the statement back without judging it at all

Leaving the issue open and refusing to decide which view is stronger

Weighing the arguments and explaining why one side is stronger

Something a tradition treats as authoritative, such as the Bible, Qur'an, teachings of Jesus or hadith

A revision website summarising the syllabus, used in place of any genuine sacred text within your answer

The personal opinion of the examiner who happens to be marking your particular paper

A general dictionary definition of the key religious word given in the question

A way to revise key vocabulary by writing each term out on flashcards

Make your point, give a source, then explain how it supports the point

A type of prayer said quietly before you begin the evaluation question

A timing strategy for splitting the minutes evenly across each section

3

0

6

15

To save paper in the exam by writing a much shorter and simpler final answer

Because the 15-mark question only ever asks you to argue for one single side of the whole issue

To avoid having to use any sources of wisdom and authority in your evaluation answer

So the 15-mark evaluation question is never a surprise and you can argue for and against

It cannot reach the top band, because the question requires arguments for and against

It always takes far too long to write out and so leaves you no time for the other questions

It automatically scores full marks because it argues one position very thoroughly

It needs no sources of wisdom and authority because only one viewpoint is given

Write exactly the same amount for every question whatever its mark tariff

Match the length and depth of your answer to the tariff on offer

Always write as much as you possibly can for each and every question asked

Ignore the mark allocation completely and answer purely by your own instinct