How Long Are IGCSE Religious Studies Exams?

As an IGCSE Religious Studies tutor, I’m often asked by students how long their exams will be. Knowing exactly how long each paper lasts is essential. It helps you structure your revision, pace yourself during the exam, and avoid unnecessary stress on the day.

In this guide, I’ll break down the duration of each IGCSE RS exam across the main boards, including the number of questions, marks, and how timing should influence your exam strategy.

Key Takeaways

• All IGCSE Religious Studies exams have set lengths: Cambridge papers are both 1 hour 45 minutes, while Edexcel’s Paper 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes and Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes. Knowing this helps you plan your time effectively during the exam.

• Timing practice is key for success: Practising past papers under timed conditions allows you to pace yourself, complete all questions, and structure longer essays without running out of time.

• Revision should match paper weighting: For Cambridge, both papers are equally important, but for Edexcel, Paper 1 contributes 60% of the final grade and Paper 2 40%. Prioritising study according to weighting ensures the greatest impact on your final result.

Why Exam Length Matters

When students understand the duration of each paper, they can simulate exam conditions in practice sessions. Timing practice essays and structured responses ensures you can complete all questions without rushing. It also helps you allocate your energy across papers, so you stay focused until the very last question.

For exam prep, I would recommend using Save My Exam’s wealth of past papers, as well as their exam-style questions, as these will give you the best sense of the question formats and themes which can come up in your real assessments.

Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies Exam Length

Cambridge (opens in a new tab) IGCSE RS (0490) is assessed through two papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes. Both papers are marked out of 80, contributing equally to your final grade.

Paper 1: Worship, Beliefs, Scriptures and Sacred Places

• Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

• Marks Available: 80

• Structure: Short-answer and structured questions. Students select two religions (Christianity, Islam, and/or Judaism) and answer two questions on each, completing four questions total.

This paper tests your knowledge of beliefs, practices, sacred texts, and places of worship. Timing yourself while practising these questions helps you develop concise yet thorough answers. 

Paper 2: Festivals, Fasts, Family Life and Social Action

• Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

• Marks Available: 80

• Structure: Essay-style and longer structured questions. Students answer questions on the same two religions they chose for Paper 1.

This paper focuses on religious celebrations, family life, and ethical action. Practising timed essays is particularly important for Paper 2 because you will need to analyse, compare, and justify your answers under exam conditions.

Check out Save My Exam’s extensive topic notes to help you ace your revision for key topics for both Paper 1 and 2.

Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies Exam Length

Edexcel (opens in a new tab) IGCSE RS (4RS1) also has two papers, but the durations and mark allocations differ from Cambridge. The total mark is 160, with Paper 1 contributing 60% and Paper 2 40%.

Paper 1: Beliefs and Values

• Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

• Marks Available: 100

• Structure: Short-answer, structured, and two essay-style questions. Students focus on one chosen religion, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism.

This paper requires you to demonstrate understanding of beliefs, teachings, and practices. Timing practice here is crucial because it carries the most weight towards your final grade.

Paper 2: The Religious Community

• Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Marks Available: 60

• Structure: Short-answer and essay-style questions. Focus on ethical, social, and communal issues in the context of your chosen one religion, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism.

Even though Paper 2 is shorter, planning how much time you spend on each essay and structured answer ensures you do not run out of time.

How to Use This Information in Your IGCSE RS Revision Plan

Knowing the exact duration of each exam paper helps you structure revision and practise under realistic conditions. Start by timing past papers and essays to ensure you can complete all questions comfortably. For longer essays, plan how much time to spend on each part, leaving time for review.

Divide your revision sessions according to paper weighting. For Edexcel, allocate more time to Paper 1 because it contributes 60% to your final grade. For Cambridge, balance your practice evenly between Paper 1 and Paper 2. Consistent timed practice builds confidence and reduces the risk of running out of time on exam day.

For more practical tips on how to make the most of past papers, check out our detailed guide: How to Use Past Papers Effectively for Exam Revision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Exams the Same Length for Everyone?

For students without approved access arrangements, the length of the exam will be the same. For Cambridge, both papers will be 1 hour 45 minutes and for Edexcel, Paper 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes and Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes. 

If you have extra time in your exams, you will have longer to complete your answers. Be sure to check with your school or exam centre to confirm how much time you will have.

Do Extra Time Allowances Apply to IGCSE Religious Studies?

Students with approved access arrangements may receive extra time in their IGCSE exams, including for RS. Always check with your school or exam centre to confirm how much time you will have for each paper.

How Much Time Should I Spend Per Question?

This depends on the question type. Short-answer questions should be answered more quickly, while structured or essay-style questions require more time for planning and evaluation. Practising under timed conditions is the best way to learn pacing.

Can I Leave the Exam Early If I Finish?

Most centres allow students to leave once they have completed their paper, but it is always best to check with your exam supervisor. However, leaving right after you have finished may not be the best choice, as it’s advisable to use any time left over to review your answers and improve them where possible.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how long IGCSE Religious Studies exams are and how the papers are structured is a key step in preparing effectively. As a tutor, I encourage all students to practise past papers under timed conditions (those on Save My Exams are ideal for this) and to balance their revision according to the weighting and duration of each paper. With structured preparation and time management, you can approach the exam confidently and perform at your best.