The document provides specifications for the Studies of Religion I and II external HSC examinations. It outlines the structure and format of the exam, including sections on religion and belief systems in Australia (Section I), religious tradition depth studies (Sections II and III), and religion and peace (Section IV, SOR II only). It notes changes to the exam format in 2010, including no maximum marks per part in Section II and expected response lengths. The document emphasizes knowing the syllabus areas and developing a comprehensive understanding of religious traditions and their impact on adherents' lives.

1. SOR I SOR II

2. HSC External Examination
Specifications
Studies of Religion I

3. Studies of Religion I
The external examination provides a measure of student achievement
in a range of syllabus outcomes that can be reliably measured in an
examination setting.
The external examination and its marking and reporting relate to
syllabus standards by:
► providing clear links to syllabus outcomes
► enabling students to demonstrate the levels of achievement
► outlined in the course performance scale applying marking guidelines based on
established criteria.

4. The syllabus on p 37 states the aim of
SOR is to 'develop a comprehensive
view of religious traditions and the link
this has on the life of adherents'
Given the changes to the HSC exam in 2009
and the current exam structure changes for
2010, it is (in my opinion) VERY important to
note the above point in relation to exam
question structure. 4

5. Section I: Religion and Belief Systems in
Australia post-1945
15 marks
►This section is comprised of ten multiple-choice questions
and one short-answer question.
►Questions may be based on stimulus material.
Stimulus Material may be used for more than 1 question. (M/
C and Short Answer)
►All questions are compulsory.

6. Added information
►NOTE:
Numbering system of Multiple Choice for SOR I/II is as
follows;
1-10= M/C
11= Short Answer
12-21=M/C (SOR II ONLY)
22= Short Answer (SOR II ONLY)
►M/C will be answered on two answer sheets
►Short answer response sheet is in the exam paper itself
(~3/4 page of writing)

7. Section II: Religious Tradition Depth Study
15 marks
►There will be five questions, each from a different religious tradition.
►Each question is worth 15 marks.
►Each question will be in three non-dependent parts.
NB: CHANGE IN 2010- No ‘Maximum Mark’ per part
i.e used to be a max. of 6 marks per part- NO LONGER THE
CASE!
CAREFUL USING PAST PAPERS AS A SAMPLE
►Students will complete ONE question from Section II. (SOR I students
only)
►2010-EXPECTED LENGTH OF RESPONSE= 600 words/4 pages

8. Section III: Religious Tradition Depth Study
20 marks
►There will be five questions, each consisting of one extended response
question.
►Each question is worth 20 marks.
►Students will complete ONE question from Section III.
►The question attempted must be from a DIFFERENT religious tradition
from that attempted in Section II.
►2010-EXPECTED LENGTH OF RESPONSE= 800 words/6 pages
►LINK

9. HSC External Examination
Specifications
Studies of Religion II

10. Studies of Religion II
The external examination provides a measure of student achievement
in a range of syllabus outcomes that can be reliably measured in an
examination setting.
The external examination and its marking and reporting relate to
syllabus standards by:
► providing clear links to syllabus outcomes
► enabling students to demonstrate the levels of achievement
► outlined in the course performance scale applying marking guidelines based on
established criteria.

11. The syllabus on p 37 states the aim of
SOR is to 'develop a comprehensive
view of religious traditions and the link
this has on the life of adherents'
Given the changes to the HSC exam in 2009
and the current exam structure changes for
2010, it is (in my opinion) VERY important to
note the above point in relation to exam
question structure. 11

12. Section I
Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945
15 marks
►This section is comprised of ten multiple-choice questions
and one short-answer question.
►Questions may be based on stimulus material.
Stimulus Material may be used for more than 1 question. (M/
C and Short Answer)
►All questions are compulsory.

13. Section I
Religion and Non-Religion
15 marks
►This section is comprised of ten multiple-choice questions
and one short-answer question.
►Questions may be based on stimulus material. Source
Material may be used for more than 1 question. (M/C and
Short Answer)
►All questions are compulsory.

14. Added information
►NOTE:
Numbering system of Multiple Choice for SOR I/II is as
follows;
1-10= M/C
11= Short Answer
12-21=M/C (SOR II ONLY)
22= Short Answer (SOR II ONLY)
►M/C will be answered on two answer sheets
►Short answer response sheet is in the exam paper itself
(~3/4 page of writing)

15. Section II: Religious Tradition Depth Study
30 marks
►There will be five questions, each from a different religious
tradition.
►Each question is worth 15 marks.
►Each question will be in three non-dependent parts.
NB: CHANGE IN 2010- No ‘Maximum Mark’ per part
i.e used to be a max. of 6 marks per part- NO LONGER THE
CASE!
CAREFUL USING PAST PAPERS AS A SAMPLE
►Students will complete TWO questions from Section II.
►2010-EXPECTED LENGTH OF RESPONSE= 600 words/4 pages

16. Section III: Religious Tradition Depth Study
20 marks
►There will be five questions, each consisting of one extended
response question.
►Each question is worth 20 marks.
►Students will complete ONE question from Section III.
►The question attempted must be from a DIFFERENT religious
tradition from that attempted in Section II.
►2010-EXPECTED LENGTH OF RESPONSE= 800 words/6 pages

17. Section IV: Religion and Peace
20 marks
►There will be ONE question requiring an extended response.
►2010-EXPECTED LENGTH OF RESPONSE= 800 words/6 pages

18. Studies of Religion
RUBRIC
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:
►incorporate significant aspects of religion to illustrate your
answer
►use language and terminology appropriate to the study of
religion
►presents ideas clearly in a well-structured answer

19. Considerations
►Choice of Religious Tradition for Sections II and Section III
►Preparation for the unexpected
Questions B & C
from same
syllabus area!

20. Other points raised
► (limited) Range of terms used in syllabus not indicative of
what may be used in HSC
i.e can use other terms as opposed to those used in syllabus
►Stimulus Material- have to reference to - not a “distracter”
but actually a resource that can be used in answering your
question/s.
►Section II- note range of marks (can now exceed 6/
section)

21. ►Peace question (SOR II)= “extended response” .: same style
as /20 question
►Section II and III- there will be an “administration check”
after the papers have been marked to ensure correct religions
have been done (i.e have not done the same one 2/3 times!)
- take the best mark of similar questions as your mark /35
or /50

22. ►Rubric= no mention of “religious traditions” but you have to
use them WHERE APPROPRIATE i.e don’t force yourself to
mention them if not applicable
►Significant Aspects
►Use of language and terminology
►Presents ideas clearly and is well structured

23. ►Can double dip in some areas (Sect II and into Sect III)
i.e concept of asking the same thing ‘twice’ (/15 then in /20)
.: have to be prepared for the unexpected
.: knowledge of syllabus is a good thing!

24. “00” Vs “0”
►Major difference now between a non-serious attempt and just
getting it ‘wrong’
Marking criteria has no zero grade as such
.: MUST ATTEMPT EVERYTHING- don’t leave gaps as marks
are there to be given.

25. Expected lengths?
►Now stated as 600 words/4 exam booklet pages for /15 and
800 words/6 exam booklet pages /20
►NOTE: 1.8 minutes per mark so this should also be a guide
for lengths etc

26. The 2009 HSC
►NB- The ‘traditional structure’ of the questions changed in the
20 mark section.
“And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took
the1 bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them. 31And their
eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their
sight. 32And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within
us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the
scriptures?” (Luke 24:30-32)
With reference to Luke’s post-resurrection account in the
quotation, assess Christianity as a living religious tradition in the
life of its adherents.
26

27. Therefore……...
►YOU MUST KNOW THE SYLLABUS AREAS AND WHAT
THE SYLLABUS ASKS YOU TO DO
-> ‘STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT’ AND ‘STUDENTS LEARN
TO’
►Huge stress on ‘develop(ing) a comprehensive view of
religious traditions and the link this has on the life of
adherents’ (pg 37 of syllabus)
►Essay writing practice is also a ‘must do’ task (but don’t
pre-empt essay questions and then use these for
memorisation (pre-planned essays)
27

28. ►end