AQA RE Short Course GCSE 2025

How many papers will i be sitting for the RE short course gcse 2025? my exam board is aqa and ive checked but i cant find anywhere that's giving me a clear answer. the exam is on may 21st 2025 and im doing a mock in exactly 6 days time. but the mock is not a full mock. weve only done half the topics and the other half we will study after the mock. i dont get the logic behind it but yh. the topics my school is doing are: Christianity, Islam, Peace and Conflict, Relationships and Families.

thank you!

Reply 1

olivia_n

i did that same gcse and it's one paper. can't remember how long it was though.

Reply 2

i_katie_k

Ok.Thank you. How bad was it? like my grade for it in a previous assessment was Grade 5. im doing a mock in exactly 6 days time and im so lost. the topic and all.. i wanna bump up my grade to at least a grade 7 or 8

Reply 3

olivia_n

Original post by i_katie_k

It’s a very structured exam and once you’ve got that structure down and know how to answer each question it’s a lot easier to pick up marks.

Each section is out of 27 (1 marker, 2 marker, 4 marker, 5 marker and 12 marker with 3 SPAG marks.)

First question (1 mark) is multiple choice and the second (2 marks) asks you to give two examples of something and both just aim to test your knowledge.

The third question (4 marks) is asks you to explain two ways in which a belief influences people and you get a mark for giving a point and another one for explaining it. i think to revise for q2 and q3, it’s good go through the specification and find examples of how different beliefs affect people (e.g. the belief in the resurrection of jesus gives christian comfort about the deaths of their loved ones).

The fourth question (5 marks) asks you to explain two beliefs about something (e.g explain to christian beliefs about the ascension of jesus.) It’s marked the same a q4 but this time you have to make reference to a religious text. Again, go through the specification and make sure that you have a quotes that addresses each belief - don’t stress about memorising them word for word because examiners will give you a decent amount of leeway as long as you refer to where it’s from (Bible, Quran, Nicene Creed, religious leader etc.)

The fifth question (12 marks) asks you to evaluate a statement. You should always start by stating whether you agree, disagree or partially agree. Then you should aim to give minimum 2 points arguing your point and one counterargument. You give a point support it with evidence or a quote and explain it. And when you give a counterargument, you should explain why it’s wrong. Focus on religious points because if you don’t give them then you’ll get a bad mark. The most important thing is to give a justified conclusion - if you’re running out of time don’t worry about finishing the points and just give a conclusion. And there’s three SPAG marks so check your spelling and grammar if you have time and the end.

Just to add, try doing a couple past papers timed and in exam conditions because I remember being really tight for time.

SPECIFICATION:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/rs/specifications/AQA-8061-SP-2016.PDF

MY OLD QUIZLETS (they’re not great or finished btw):
https://quizlet.com/gb/807726484/rs-christianity-flash-cards/?i=53hc7v&x=1jqY
https://quizlet.com/gb/808389768/rs-religion-peace-and-conflict-flash-cards/?i=53hc7v&x=1jqY
https://quizlet.com/gb/852144810/rs-islam-flash-cards/?i=53hc7v&x=1jqY

Reply 4

coinjovial

Original post by i_katie_k

Hi there- had my mock actually just 2 weeks ago, funnily enough we do the same topics and same exam board. I have my exam on the same day as you. 3 papers, 1h45 mins to do them all in- themes have 2 topics in them, and then Christianity and Islam.

Reply 5

i_katie_k

Original post by coinjovial

hi there- had my mock actually just 2 weeks ago, funnily enough we do the same topics and same exam board. I have my exam on the same day as you. 3 papers, 1h45 mins to do them all in- themes have 2 topics in them, and then christianity and islam.

the exam is tmrw!!! Good luck to you i hope you do well in it!!!

Reply 6

Rosie11W

Guys any predictionssss

Reply 7

coinjovial

Original post by i_katie_k

the exam is tmrw!!! Good luck to you i hope you do well in it!!!

Thank you! Had it today!

Reply 8

Rosie11W

How was it I did too!!

Reply 9

coinjovial

Original post by Rosie11W

How was it I did too!!

I found it harder than my mock which had challenging questions- I got 94 out of 96 on my mock. I reckon I can still get a 9 but that paper seemed more like it was reworded questions that they didnt think of till last night haha

Reply 10

Rosie11W

Word I in my mock I thought I did **** barely revised got an 8 tell me why I revised way way much more and it was like hard but it wasn’t impossible I think i can get a 7 I hope!!