AQAGCSE224 resources

AQA GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA GCSE Religious Studies (8062) past papers and mark schemes. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism. 224 resources from 2018.

📅June 2018 – June 2024📄224 resources available✅Free to download

Papers Overview Paper Structure Key Info Key Topics Command Words Grade Boundaries Revision Tips Try AI Tutor ✦

Download Past Papers

Type

Year

224 of 224 resources — page 1 of 9

June 2023

7 files

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Section B Perspectives on faith (Textual studies) – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section B Thematics studies – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Textual studies – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 The study of religions (Catholic Christianity) – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2X Perspectives on faith (Islam) – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2A Non-textual studies – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Option 1 The study of religions (Buddhism) – June 2023

Question Paper

Download

June 2022

9 files

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section B Thematics studies – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Textual studies – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 The study of religions (Catholic Christianity) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2X Perspectives on faith (Islam) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Section B Perspectives on faith (Textual studies) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2A Non-textual studies – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Option 1 The study of religions (Buddhism) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section A Option 3 The study of religions (Islam) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Option 6 The study of religions (Judaism) – June 2022

Question Paper

Download

November 2021

5 files

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section A Option 4 The study of religions (Judaism) – November 2021

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Section B Perspectives on faith (Textual studies) – November 2021

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section B Thematics studies – November 2021

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Textual studies – November 2021

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Option 5 The study of religions (Islam) – November 2021

Question Paper

Download

November 2020

4 files

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section B Thematics studies – November 2020

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2B Textual studies – November 2020

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 Section A Option 4 The study of religions (Judaism) – November 2020

Question Paper

Download

📄

GCSE Religious Studies – Question paper: Paper 2X Section A Perspectives on faith (Islam) – November 2020

Question Paper

Download

…

About AQA GCSE Religious Studies

AQA GCSE Religious Studies (specification code 8062) is assessed through two written papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 96 marks. There is no coursework. The specification is modular, with different combinations of papers available depending on which religions the school chooses to study. The structure is flexible. Paper 1 covers the study of religions — students study two religions in depth, covering beliefs, teachings, and practices. Options include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The majority of schools study Christianity as one of the two religions. Paper 2 covers thematic studies — students answer questions on four themes from a range that includes relationships and families, religion and life, the existence of God and revelation, religion peace and conflict, religion crime and punishment, and religion human rights and social justice. Each theme question follows a predictable structure of four parts: a 1-mark question identifying something, a 2–4 mark describe/explain question, a 4-mark question asking students to contrast two views, and a 12-mark evaluate question with religious and secular perspectives. The 12-mark evaluate question (worth 12 marks including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar) is the most significant on the paper. Students must present multiple religious and non-religious viewpoints and reach a justified, reasoned conclusion. AQA's mark scheme explicitly requires responses to consider more than one religious perspective where different denominations or traditions hold differing views.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1No calculator

The Study of Religions (two religions in depth)

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 96 marks📊 50% of grade

Beliefs, teachings and practices of Religion 1 (e.g. Christianity)Beliefs, teachings and practices of Religion 2 (e.g. Islam)Denominational and internal differences within each religion

Paper 2No calculator

Thematic Studies

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 96 marks📊 50% of grade

Choice of four themes from: relationships and families, religion and life, existence of God, peace and conflict, crime and punishment, human rights and social justice

Key Information

Exam Board	AQA
Specification Code	8062
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	9–1 (12-mark questions include 3 marks for SPaG)
Assessment Type	2 written exams (no coursework)
Number Of Papers	2
Exam Duration	1 hour 45 minutes per paper
Total Marks	192 (96 per paper)
Calculator Status	Not applicable
Available Sessions	June 2018 – June 2024
Total Resources	224

Key Topics in Religious Studies

Topics you need to know

Core beliefs and key teachings of studied religionsReligious practices: worship, prayer, pilgrimage, festivals, rites of passageDifferent denominational and traditional viewpoints within religionsEthical themes: relationships, life and death, peace, justiceNon-religious perspectives: humanist, secular, philosophicalSources of authority in religion (scripture, tradition, reason)

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Identify	Name one specific belief, teaching or practice — no explanation required
Outline	Give a brief description of two main beliefs or teachings
Explain	Give two or more developed reasons with reference to religious teaching
Evaluate	Present multiple religious and non-religious viewpoints on a statement, then reach a justified conclusion
Referring to religion, evaluate the view that...	Include specific religious teachings and contrasting perspectives before concluding
The 12-mark question	Requires three or more perspectives (including contrasting religious views) + a non-religious view + a justified conclusion; 3 marks are awarded for SPaG

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade 9	78–88%
Grade 8	67–77%
Grade 7	56–66%
Grade 6	46–55%
Grade 5	37–45%
Grade 4	27–36%
Grade 3	18–26%
Grade 2	9–17%
Grade 1	1–8%

⚠️ Typical boundaries across two papers (192 total marks, including SPaG marks on 12-mark questions). Actual boundaries vary — check AQA's website.

How to Use AQA GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers Effectively

Religious Studies past papers have a highly predictable question structure — the same four-part pattern repeats for every theme on Paper 2. This means you can prepare templates for each question type rather than starting from scratch on each question. Practise filling in the template quickly: 1-mark = name one thing; 4-mark = two developed points with evidence; 12-mark = introduction, multiple viewpoints, conclusion. For the 12-mark evaluate questions, the mark scheme requires you to include non-religious perspectives (such as humanist or secular viewpoints) alongside religious ones. Many students lose marks by writing only about religious views. A balanced response might include: one religious view supporting the statement, one religious view against, a non-religious view, and a justified personal conclusion. The SPaG marks (3 out of 12 on the extended question) are awarded based on accurate spelling, punctuation, and the range and accuracy of vocabulary. These marks are often overlooked — if your writing is unclear or contains basic spelling errors, you may be capped at a lower level. Practise writing clearly and accurately under timed conditions. For Paper 1 (study of religions), the questions on practices are often the ones students find hardest — they require specific knowledge of how believers actually live out their faith, not just abstract beliefs. Make sure your revision includes both the theological content (beliefs) and the practical applications (worship, pilgrimage, festivals, rites of passage).

More AQA GCSE Subjects

Explore other GCSE subjects from AQA

AQA GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download Past Papers

June 2023

June 2022

November 2021

November 2020

About AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Religious Studies

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

How to Use AQA GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers Effectively

More AQA GCSE Subjects

Science

History

Mathematics

French

Chemistry

Spanish

German

Physics

Urdu

Chinese (Mandarin)

English Language

Italian

Hebrew (Modern)

Polish

Bengali

Geography

Panjabi

English Literature

Biology

Media Studies

Statistics

Computer Science

Business

Sociology

Citizenship Studies

Economics

Psychology

Physical Education

Music

Dance

Drama

Engineering

Design and Technology

Food preparation and nutrition

Related Past Papers

Meet your AI Tutor