How is the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structured, and how do you answer each question type?
The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point is about exam technique, not new content. You need to know how the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam is structured, the two units, the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the (d) evaluation question. Knowing the structure lets you spend your marks wisely and hit the top bands.
The two units and their parts
The question ladder and tariffs
The assessment objectives
Sources of wisdom and SPaG
Try this
Q1. What does the (d) "Discuss this statement" question test, and what carries the extra marks? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. It tests AO2 (analysis and evaluation): a balanced argument with religious and non-religious views and a clear conclusion. It also carries the SPaG marks for accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Q2. Explain how to answer a (c) "explain" question well. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Make several developed points (reasons or teachings), each supported with detail and, where possible, a source of wisdom from the Bible, the Qur'an or a religious leader, so the answer has both range and depth.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (technique)8 marksHow should you structure an answer to a (c) 'explain' question?Show worked answer →
The (c) explain question tests AO1 (knowledge and understanding). Make several developed points, each supported.
Step one. Make a clear point that answers the question (for example, a reason or a teaching).
Step two. Develop it with detail and, where you can, a source of wisdom (a quotation or reference from the Bible, the Qur'an or a religious leader).
Step three. Repeat for two or three points, so the answer has range as well as depth.
Top band. Several developed points, accurate and supported by sources of wisdom.
WJEC (technique)15 marksHow do you reach the top band in a (d) 'Discuss this statement' question?Show worked answer →
The (d) evaluation question tests AO2 (analysis and evaluation) and carries the SPaG marks. Build a balanced argument with a judgement.
Step one. Give arguments that agree with the statement, with religious teaching and a source of wisdom.
Step two. Give arguments that disagree, including a different religious view and a non-religious (atheist or Humanist) view.
Step three. Reach a clear, supported conclusion that weighs the two sides, not a vague "both sides have a point".
Step four. Write accurately: spelling, punctuation and grammar are marked here, so use specialist terms correctly.
Top band. A balanced, well-supported argument with a clear judgement and accurate SPaG.
Related dot points
- Christianity core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), the Trinity, creation and the Word, the Incarnation, the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and beliefs about life after death (judgement, heaven and hell).
A focused answer on Christian beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation and atonement, and beliefs about life after death.
- Islam core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of Allah and Tawhid, the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam (with the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam), angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, the Qur'an and other holy books, and akhirah (life after death, the Day of Judgement, paradise and hell).
A focused answer on Muslim beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the Six Beliefs and Five Roots, angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad, the Qur'an, and akhirah (life after death).
- Issues of Life and Death (Unit 1, Theme 1): the origins of the universe and of human life (creation and scientific views), the value and sanctity of life and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia, and beliefs about life after death, including religious and non-religious (atheist and Humanist) responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Life and Death for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the origins of the universe and humanity, the sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Good and Evil (Unit 1, Theme 2): the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority and goodness, crime and the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the death penalty (capital punishment), including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Good and Evil for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the problem of evil and suffering, sources of morality, crime and punishment, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Relationships (Unit 2, Theme 3): the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to sex, cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, the family and its purpose, the roles of men and women and gender equality, and contraception and family planning, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Relationships for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering marriage, sex, cohabitation, divorce, the family, gender roles and equality, and contraception, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Human Rights (Unit 2, Theme 4): human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination (including racism and religious discrimination), social justice and the work of justice, poverty and the responsible use of wealth, and freedom of religion and freedom of expression, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Human Rights for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, poverty and wealth, and freedom of religion and expression, with religious and non-religious responses.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)