GCSE guide · checked October 2026
GCSE Religious Studies, explained simply
Two religions' beliefs and practices, plus big questions about ethics, relationships, life and death, peace and conflict. This page shows how each board sets the papers, the marks typically needed for each grade, and how to write strong evaluation answers. Pick your exam board and the page changes to match.
- 2 or 3 exams
- Two religions studied
- No coursework
- Grades 9 to 1
Exam board
Not sure which board? Ask your child's school, or check the front of a mockA practice exam, usually set by school a few months before the real thing. paper.
The exams at a glance
AQA GCSE Religious Studies (8062 (Specification A)). 2 papers, 3 hours 30 minutes of exams and 204 marks in total. Each paper is worth 50% of the grade.
Specification: AQA GCSE Religious Studies (8062 (Specification A))
What's in the exams
Each school chooses which religions and themes to teach, so ask which ones your child is studying. The shares are each part's weight in the final grade, as the specification states.
- The study of two religions: beliefs, teachings and practices50%
- Thematic studies: four ethical and philosophical themes50%
How the grading works
How the grading works
Everyone sits the same papers: there is no Foundation or Higher. Some marks are for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terms. Because schools choose different religions and themes, each board publishes separate boundaries for every combination, so there is no single set to show here.
The marks needed in June 2026
Across all combinations: AQA A (out of 204) needed 170 to 177 for a 9, 144 to 148 for a 7 and 89 to 102 for a 4. Edexcel A (out of 204) needed 142 to 153 for a 9, 116 to 127 for a 7 and 68 to 83 for a 4. Edexcel B (out of 204) needed 140 to 153 for a 9, 119 to 134 for a 7 and 79 to 95 for a 4. OCR (out of 252) needed 188 to 197 for a 9, 154 to 163 for a 7 and 97 to 103 for a 4.
Past paper mock builder
Pick an exam series and we'll set out the full AQA mock: which papers to sit, how long to allow and where to download them. Then type in your marks to see your total and percentage.
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Component 1, June 2026 · Two religions (96 marks plus 6 for spelling and grammar) · 1 hour 45 minutes
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Component 2, June 2026 · Thematic studies (99 marks, scaled to 102) · 1 hour 45 minutes
Download the papers and mark schemes: AQA official past papers or Save My Exams past papers. Exam boards keep the most recent series for schools only for a while, so if the newest one isn't there, take the one before.
Enter your marks for each paper to see your total and percentage.
What Religious Studies is really about
Where the word comes from
"Religion" comes from the Latin religio, meaning reverence or obligation. The Roman writer Cicero linked it to relegere, "to go over again" or "read carefully"; later Christian writers linked it to religare, "to bind fast".
Where it comes from
London has been home to many faiths for centuries: Bevis Marks Synagogue in the City opened in 1701 and is the oldest in Britain still in use, and the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, opened in 1889, was one of the first purpose-built mosques in Britain. Today's GCSE reflects that variety, letting schools choose from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.
Why it's still taught
Religious Studies helps students understand the beliefs of the people around them and argue clearly about ethical questions such as war, justice and medical ethics. It supports A-Levels such as Philosophy, Sociology and Law, and careers in law, teaching, healthcare, social work and public service.
How to do well in GCSE Religious Studies
Learn key beliefs with sources
Many questions reward a reference to scripture or religious teaching. Learn a short quotation for each key belief.
Know both religions separately
Students study two religions. Keep separate notes so beliefs and practices don't get mixed up.
Practise the evaluation question
The long questions ask students to weigh views and reach a judgement. Practise arguing both sides, then concluding.
Include non-religious views where asked
Some themes expect non-religious perspectives, such as humanist views. Know when they are required.
Use specialist terms
Words such as "Trinity", "Tawhid" or "sanctity of life" earn marks when used correctly.
Answer to time
Short questions add up quickly. Practise moving on promptly to save time for the long answers.
The three best places to revise
Our teachers' picks. We have no connection with these sites.
BBC Bitesize
Free revision guides on each religion and ethical theme, organised by exam board.
Seneca
Free quizzes on beliefs, practices and key terms for each board.
RE:ONLINE
Free articles and resources on religions and worldviews from a national RE charity.
Questions parents ask
Not sure where your child stands?
Our free 45-minute assessment often uses a real past paperA real exam from a previous year, used for practice., so you'll know their likely grade and exactly what to work on. Lessons online across the UK, or at our seven London hubs.