How to Answer a 6 mark 'Explain' Question (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
How to answer 6-mark 'Explain' questions
Every topic also includes a 6-mark "Explain two..." question that requires a reference to a source of religious authority (sacred writings, or another source of belief and teaching)
This changed from 5 marks to 6 marks for exams from June 2026 onwards
The question wording itself hasn't changed, but the mark scheme now separately rewards naming a source and applying it to the question, rather than crediting a source reference as a single mark
How the marks are awarded
Up to 4 marks for your two explained points
This is the same structure as the 4-mark question
1 mark for a simple point, 2 marks for a detailed point
Up to 2 marks for your source of authority, split as:
2 marks if you both name a relevant source **and** apply it to the question
1 mark if you name a relevant source but don't apply it
1 mark if you apply a source without naming it
How to structure a 6-mark question
Explain your two points fully, just as you would for the 4-mark version
Weave your source into your explanation rather than bolting it on as an afterthought
A source that's actually used to support your point scores higher than one just dropped in at the end
A "source of authority" doesn't have to be a direct quotation
Naming a specific parable, creed, commandment, or teaching and explaining what it shows is enough
Worked Example
Explain two Christian teachings about judgement. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
[6 marks]
Answer
Christians believe that after death everyone will be judged by God on how they have lived, and sent to heaven, hell or purgatory. This is stated in the Apostles' Creed, which describes Jesus as the one who will come to judge the living and the dead, showing judgement is a core shared belief.
Christians also believe they will be judged specifically on how they treated others, especially those in need. This is shown in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25, where Jesus welcomes into eternal life those who cared for "the least of these," while turning away those who did not. This teaches that faith must be shown through action, not belief alone.
Mark Scheme and Guidance
First teaching: simple explanation [1], detailed explanation [2]
Second teaching: simple explanation [1], detailed explanation [2]
Source of authority: 2 marks for naming and applying a relevant source
1 mark for naming only
1 mark for applying without naming
Accept any relevant, accurately used source: named scripture, a parable, a creed, or another recognised source of belief and teaching for the religion in question
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question is easy to mistake for a slightly longer version of the 4-mark question — it isn't. The two extra marks are entirely about your source, so a perfect two-point explanation with no source reference caps out at 4 out of 6. Name your source specifically (a parable by name, a creed, a named passage) rather than vaguely — "the Bible says..." with nothing more is much weaker than "the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 shows..."
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