How to Resit GCSE Religious Studies

If you didn’t get the GCSE Religious Studies grade you were hoping for, you’re not alone and you’re certainly not out of options. Many students resit GCSEs, including RS, each year to improve their results or meet entry requirements for sixth form, college, or future courses.

This guide, written by an experienced GCSE Religious Studies tutor and examiner, is designed to help you get a better understanding of how to resit GCSE Religious Studies, when resits happen, how to register, and how to prepare effectively, to help you feel less unsure or worried about next steps.

Key Takeaways

• Resitting GCSE Religious Studies is optional but worthwhile: Unlike English and Maths, you are not required to retake RS if you didn’t pass the first time around in the UK. However, a resit can be very worthwhile as it can open up more opportunities for future studies and boost your confidence.

• Most RS resits take place in the summer: GCSE Religious Studies is usually only available in the summer exam series (May-June). Students can resit through their school, a college, or a private exam centre.

• A successful resit can strengthen your future options: Improving your RS grade can support sixth form or college applications, allow progression to A level Religious Studies, and strengthen your overall academic profile.

Who Can Resit GCSE Religious Studies?

As an RS tutor, I have taught many students resitting their GCSE Religious Studies for a variety of reasons.

In the UK, English and Maths GCSEs must be retaken if a student does not achieve a passing grade (i.e. a grade 4 or above). Religious Studies is different. If you do not pass GCSE RS, you are not required to resit it.

However, many students choose to retake GCSE Religious Studies to give themselves another opportunity to pass or to improve their grade (e.g. moving from a grade 4 to a grade 6). A higher grade can strengthen applications to a preferred sixth form or college, or allow students to continue Religious Studies at A level.

Some students also resit GCSE RS because they were unable to sit the exam previously due to illness or other exceptional circumstances.

There is no age limit and no maximum number of attempts for resitting this GCSE. As long as you can register with an approved exam centre, you are eligible to resit.

Find out more about GCSE resits with Save My Exam’s guide dedicated to this topic.

When and Where Do GCSE RS Resits Take Place?

Unlike English and Maths, GCSE Religious Studies does not usually have a November resit option, so students have to wait until the next summer exam season (May-June). Results for resits are released in August alongside the other summer GCSE results. 

Places you can resit include assessment centres offering GCSE RS, which may include your school, a local college or an approved private exam centre. If you’re unsure about your options, ask your school’s exams officer as soon as possible so you don’t miss any registration deadlines.

How to Register for a GCSE RS Resit

The registration process varies depending on whether you’re resitting through your school or as a private candidate at an assessment centre.

For School Students

1. Speak to the exams officer or head of year at your school about your options

2. Confirm which exam board you are retaking the exam for

3. Register before the entry deadline (usually February, but check with your exam board to confirm the exact deadline)

4. Pay any required exam fee (some schools cover this, but be sure to check ahead of time)

For Private Candidates

1. Find a local private exam centre or college that offers GCSE RS

2. Check they offer your specific exam board

3. Register and pay the exam entry fee

4. Provide valid photo ID and any required paperwork to your assessment centre

Note: Private entry fees are usually higher, so registering early can help reduce costs. A typical private entry can cost between £100-£200.

Do I Have to Resit Both Papers or Components?

Generally, if you’re retaking GCSE RS, you will have to retake all papers and components for your course.

GCSE Religious Studies is usually assessed through two written exam papers, and exam boards typically require you to resit both papers. You normally cannot resit just one paper to improve a grade. However, rules can vary slightly by exam board, so it’s important to check your specification or ask your exam centre to confirm.

Will a Resit Affect My Future Applications?

This is a common worry my students raise when they’re considering retaking. The good news is the impact of resitting GCSE exams, including RS, is more often positive than negative.

For sixth form and college applications, GCSE resit grades are usually accepted. If you improve your grade by resitting, this can strengthen your application and may also allow you to take Religious Studies at A level.

Universities focus on your final GCSE grade, rather than whether you resat the exam. If you retake GCSE Religious Studies and achieve a higher grade, this will usually make your overall university application stronger.

In most cases, a successful resit helps rather than harms your future options.

How to Prepare for Your GCSE Religious Studies Resit

Here are my top three tips as a GCSE RS tutor for preparing to resit RS:

1. Identify what went right and wrong in your last exams

When reviewing your previous performance in your RS exam, it can be useful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Were you able to complete all questions within the set time?

• Which types of questions did you do well in? Which types did you do less well in?

• Which topics did you perform best in? Which topics did you find more challenging?

• Which paper did you do better in overall? Which paper needs the most improvement?

By identifying areas of strength and weakness, you will be able to make your revision more focused on improving your knowledge, skill and confidence in the areas that need it most.

2. Focus on exam technique

Using your exam board’s specification is one of the most effective ways to make sure you are revising the right content and developing the key skills tested in the exam. The specification clearly sets out exactly what you need to know, and you can find it on your exam board’s website (such as AQA (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab), or Edexcel Specification A (opens in a new tab) and Exdexcel Specification B (opens in a new tab)).

Focusing only on content that is relevant to your specific exam helps you use your revision time efficiently and gives you the best chance of improving your grade.

Regularly completing past paper questions is another strategy I strongly recommend, including completing them under timed conditions. This helps you practise applying what you’ve learned to real exam-style questions, improve your time management skills, and build confidence ahead of the exam. Save My Exams has a range of useful RS past papers ideal for extra practice.

3. Revise smarter, not longer

Using structured revision resources can save you time, reduce stress, and make your revision far more effective. Instead of guessing what to revise, these resources organise content clearly so you can focus on the topics and skills that are most likely to appear in the exam. For example, Save My Exams offers clear revision notes, exam-style questions and revision tools, such as the Target Tests which help you identify weaker areas by analysing your performance, allowing you to focus on the topics that will have the biggest impact on your grade.

These resources also make it easier to create a realistic revision plan. By breaking the specification into manageable sections, you can spread your revision across weeks rather than cramming at the last minute. Planning short, regular revision sessions and combining content review with practice questions helps you stay consistent, track your progress, and build confidence over time. This structured approach allows you to balance revision with school, work, or other commitments while still making steady improvements in your marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Resit GCSE Religious Studies If I Passed But Got a Low Grade?

Yes. You can resit GCSE RS to improve a grade, even if you passed the first time around.

Can I Resit as a Private Candidate?

Yes. Many students resit GCSE Religious Studies through private exam centres if their school doesn’t offer resits or they are homeschooled.

What Exam Boards Offer Religious Studies Resits?

Major exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, and OCR offer GCSE Religious Studies resits in the summer series.

How Much Does It Cost to Resit GCSE RS?

Costs can vary, but private candidates usually pay £100–£200, depending on the centre and exam board.

Will My New Grade Replace the Old One?

Yes. Your resit grade becomes your official GCSE result if it is higher.

Final Thoughts

Resitting GCSE Religious Studies can feel stressful, but it is often a positive opportunity rather than a setback. A resit gives you the chance to improve your grade, strengthen future applications, and show what you’re capable of with focused exam preparation.

By improving their understanding of the exam process and revising in a structured, well-resourced way, such as through using Save My Exams RS resources, I’ve seen many students achieve improved results second time around. With the right approach, a GCSE RS resit can help you move forward with greater confidence. 

Sources:

• AQA (opens in a new tab)

• OCR (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel Specification A (opens in a new tab)

• Edexcel Specification B (opens in a new tab)