How Long Are GCSE Religious Studies Exams

You’ve revised key teachings, memorised quotes, and practised essay questions, but do you actually know how long you’ll have in the exam hall? Not knowing exam timings can leave you under-prepared, especially for a subject like Religious Studies, where essays require careful planning.

The good news is that each board clearly sets exam lengths, and once you know them, you can pace your answers with confidence. In this guide, we’ll break down how long GCSE Religious Studies exams are for AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and Eduqas/WJEC. You’ll also see the difference between full and short course exams, plus get practical time-management tips to help you perform at your best.

Key Takeaways

• GCSE Religious Studies is assessed by written exams, with timings varying by exam board and course type.

• AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and Eduqas/WJEC all have slightly different paper structures and lengths.

• Full course GCSE RS typically involves sitting 2–3 exam papers, whereas the short course may consist of just one paper.

• Knowing exactly how long GCSE Religious Studies exams are helps you plan essays, manage time, and stay calm under pressure.

Overview of GCSE Religious Studies Exams

GCSE Religious Studies (RS) is assessed entirely by written exams taken at the end of Year 11. Unlike some subjects with practical elements, everything in RS comes down to how well you can apply your knowledge and write under timed conditions.

Exams test skills such as:

• Knowledge and understanding: beliefs, teachings, and practices from Christianity and at least one other religion

• Application to themes: ethical and philosophical issues in the modern world, such as relationships, peace and conflict, or human rights

• Evaluation and argument: weighing up different viewpoints, using evidence, and reaching justified conclusions

Because RS is essay-based, exam length really matters. Longer papers mean more extended writing, more planning, and a bigger demand on stamina. That’s why knowing the exact timings set by your exam board is such an important first step in preparing effectively. If you also want a count of papers by board, see our guide to how many GCSE Religious Studies papers there are.

GCSE RS Exam Lengths by Exam Board

The length of your exams depends on which exam board you’re studying with. 

AQA GCSE Religious Studies

• Full Course (8062/8063): Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes.

• Short Course (8061): One paper, 1 hour 45 minutes.

• Papers are usually taken on separate days.

• Each paper includes multi-part questions, with some carrying extra marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG).

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel offers two specifications: RS A and RS B.

• Specification A (1RA0): Three papers. Paper 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes (50%), Paper 2 is 50 minutes (25%) and Paper 3 or 4, 50 minutes (25%)

• Specification B (1RB0): Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes (50% each).

• Includes marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).

OCR GCSE Religious Studies

• Full Course (J625): Three papers: 2 hours, 1 hour, 1 hour. The two shorter exams are taken on the same day, while the 2 hour exam is taken on a different date.

• Short Course (J125): One 2 hour paper.

• Includes SPaG marks.

Eduqas / WJEC GCSE Religious Studies

• Route A (England): Three papers: 2 hours, 1 hour, 1 hour. Usually taken on separate days.

• Short Course: Three papers. Component 1 is 1 hour (worth 50%), Component 2 is 35 minutes (25%), and Component 3 is 35 minutes (25%).

• WJEC (Wales): Similar structure, but some routes use 1h15 papers instead of 1h.

• Includes SPaG marks.

Quick Comparison Table (Full Course)

Please ensure you verify your exact dates and timings with your subject teacher or the exams office at your school or college. They can provide you with the most up-to-date information. 

For further details about what you should revise for each exam paper, check out our guide to GCSE Religious Studies topics by exam board.

Full Course vs Short Course GCSE RS Exam Lengths

Not every school offers both the full and short versions of GCSE Religious Studies. However, the length of your exams depends on which route you take.

• Full Course RS: This is the standard option most students take. It typically involves two or three exam papers, depending on the exam board, totalling around 3-4 hours of exam time. Each paper tests different religions, themes, or philosophical and ethical issues.

• Short Course RS: This is less common. It only covers about half the content and is worth half a GCSE. You’ll usually sit one paper (or two, depending on the exam board), totalling around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours of exam time.

Tips for Managing Time in GCSE RS Exams

As a Religious Studies teacher, here are some tried and tested strategies I’ve used with many students who have successfully navigated RS exams:

• Plan before you write: Spend 2-3 minutes sketching out your points for longer essay questions. A quick plan keeps your answer focused and helps you avoid running out of time. Don’t cross out the plan either - if you run out of time, it still shows the examiner your ideas and may earn you credit.

• Match time to marks: Use the number of marks as your guide. For example, a 12-mark question should take about three times as long as a 4-mark one. I’ve always advised students to use one minute per mark as a rough guide. This leaves time for checking your answers at the end.

• Check the command words: “Describe,” “Explain,” “Evaluate” require different depth and structure. Along with the number of marks, these are great clues about how much to write in your answer.

• Practise exam timing: Regularly try sample questions and past papers under timed conditions to build speed and confidence. Get used to what it feels like to write a 5-mark or 12-mark answer, so you’re confident on the day itself.

• Keep moving: If a question feels tough, don’t panic. Move on, and return later if you have time.

• Use quality resources: Save My Exams' RS past papers and model answers are designed to get you used to exam structure and question type, making them excellent for realistic practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all schools offer Full Course RS?

Not always. Most schools enter students for the full course, since it counts as a whole GCSE. 

Some schools also offer the short course, usually as an additional subject option, but it only counts as half a GCSE.

Is RS a compulsory GCSE subject?

No. Religious Studies is part of the curriculum for all students in England and Wales, but that doesn’t always mean a GCSE exam. 

Some schools make GCSE RS compulsory, while others offer it as an option. It’s worth checking with your school to see how they deliver RS at GCSE level.

References

GCSE Religious Studies 8062 | Specification | AQA (opens in a new tab)

GCSE Religious Studies 8063 | Specification | AQA (opens in a new tab)

GCSE Religious Studies 8061 | Specification | AQA (opens in a new tab)

GCSE - Religious Studies (9-1) - J625, J125 (opens in a new tab)

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (2016) (opens in a new tab)

Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B (2016) (opens in a new tab)

GCSE - Religious Studies (9-1) - J625, J125 (opens in a new tab)

WJEC GCSE Religious Studies (Wales) (opens in a new tab)

Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (Route A, England) (opens in a new tab)