This document provides guidance on answering questions for a religious studies exam. It explains the two main assessment criteria: AO1 questions test memory and require short answers, while AO2 questions are evaluative and require opinions with reasoning. It provides examples of command words and mark schemes for different types of questions. Students are advised to identify strengths and weaknesses in previous exams, understand the assessment criteria, and practice answering sample questions using the guidance and mark schemes provided.

1. Write down 5 facts about the examination at the start of this term.
Length?
Amount of questions?
Marks avilable?
Types of questions?
DNA

2. FEEDBACK
Learning objectives:
 To understand the marking feedback.
 To analyse what we did well and how we can
improve.
 To improve some of our questions.

3. IDENTIFY...
 Which questions you’ve done well – why
have you done well?
 Which questions did you achieve
below/significantly below the allocated
marks. Why?

4. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
AOI A02
This tests what you can remember
It asks you what something means, or why
some people do something
Questions use these command words
Give…. 2 marks
Name…. 2 marks
Explain briefly… 3 marks
Explain 6 marks
These are evaluative questions. They make
up 50% of the total marks
They always ask what you think or whether
you agree
They test your reasoning skills. You must
explain your reasons clearly.
They want your opinion and religious
opinions
You must answer from 2 sides you must
agree and disagree explaining your ideas
These questions are worth 3 and 6 marks

5. KNOWING THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 There are 2 main assessment criteria
 A01 questions
 This tests what you can remember from
what you have learnt. It is the type of
question that asks you what something
means or why some people do something,
or what the religions think about something
 These questions use these command words
 Give…. Name….. Explain briefly……
Explain

6. AO1
 Give – Write the name of something, or one
reason why something happens
 Name – Write the name of something
 Explain briefly – For this you have to write
something and then say a bit more about what
you have written. Explain wants more detail. It
is an answer with a bit extra, usually for 2/3
marks
 Explain – This question wants two or three
different answers and a bit extra. This wants
more depth and a religious response for 4/5
marks

7. AO2 QUESTIONS
 This is the second assessment criteria
 These are evaluative questions and each full
question will include two of these – one worth 3
marks and one worth 6 marks
 Evaluative questions will always ask you what
you think about something, or whether you
agree.
 What the examiner wants to know is your
reasoning, you must explain your reasons
clearly as you discuss the statement
 They always start with a statement, then say
‘What do you think? Explain your opinion

8. 6 MARK A02 QUESTIONS
 For these questions you have to do a lot of work.
 You have to have religious arguments in there – If
you don’t you can only get a maximum of 3 marks
out of 6
 You also have to answer from two sides in other
words you have to agree and disagree each time
explaining your ideas
 You must ‘develop’ your answer this means you say
something and then explain it a bit!
 You must have ‘reasoned consideration’ this means
give reasons with explanations for those reasons.

9. 3 MARKS
3 mark questions are asking you for 3 simple
reasons, or 2 well-developed reasons.

10. RE- DO YOUR 3 MARK QUESTION- USING THE
MARK SCHEME.
1. ‘Children are a blessing from God.’
2. Or
3. Explain the rights of an unborn child when
abortion is being considered.

11. 4 MARKS
This is usually asking you to explain a religious
view on something.
You must give either a Christian or Muslim view,
or both, and state which religion you are
explaining.
This is not asking for your opinion.
To answer this question, give two sides, i.e. For
and Against + evidence and explanation.

12. EXEMPLAR ANSWER: EXPLAIN RELIGIOUS VIEWS ABOUT
GENETICALLY MODIFYING ANIMALS. REFER TO RELIGIOUS
BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS IN YOUR ANSWER.
Genetic modification is when scientists study how genes work, and they
may modify them to help combat a particular disease.
Christians may disagree with genetic modification, as they say that God
Annotate this
answer…
• For
•Against
•Evidence
•Explanation
created everything in the way that He wanted it, and to attempt to
change this would be ‘playing God’. Animals are valued by God, as in
Genesis after His creation of animals, God said “This is good”,
demonstrating that what He created is of importance to Him.
Therefore Christians would be against the use of genetic
modification.
On the other hand, some Christians believe in dominion, which is where
humans are of more value than animals, and have been put incharge
of animals and creation by God. Due to this belief, some Christians
would accept limited testing of animals, if it was for the benefit of
humankind.

13. RE-DO 4 MARK ANSWER
1. Explain the difference between the
quality of life and sanctity of life. (Refer
to religious beliefs and teachings in
your answer.)
Use the mark scheme to
help you answer these
questions.

14. 6 MARK QUESTIONS
Always use ‘FARMER’ to help answer this
question.
 If you do not include a religious viewpoint, you
can only get the maximum of 3 marks.
 You also need to state which religion you focus
on.
 You can also state any differences there are in a
religion, i.e. Is there a difference between what a
Catholic thinks to what a Protestant believes?

15. RE-PRACTICE
 “There is nothing wrong with killing animals for food”
 “There is nothing wrong with positive discrimination”
 “A woman should be allowed to
gave an abortion at any time
during her pregnancy”
Use the mark scheme
to help you answer
these questions.

16. 5 MARK QUESTIONS...
Marks Criteria Comments
0 Nothing relevant or worthy of credit.
1 Something relevant or worthy of
credit.
One simple point.
2 Elementary knowledge and
understanding, e.g. two simple
points.
• two simple points
• one point with slight development.
3 Sound knowledge and
understanding.
This could be:
• three or more simple points
• two points with slight development of one
• one well developed point
4 A clear knowledge and
understanding with some
development and / or analysis
This could include a single point that is
exceptionally well-developed.
A list of simple points would be capped at 3
marks.
5 A detailed answer with some
development and / or analysis
This implies several points have been made.
Two or three points with some development of
two would reach this level.

17. PLENARY
How have you learnt to improve your exam
answers in today’s lesson?
What do you need to focus on for your revision
in the future?
How will you begin to revise?