AQA AS Religious Studies specification (7061)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA AS Religious Studies exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA AS Religious Studies specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA AS Religious Studies (7061) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
AQA’s AS Religious Studies course offers students a deep and structured exploration of religious, philosophical, and ethical thought. It fosters critical and evaluative skills valuable across various disciplines such as law, politics, and education. The course is designed to be accessible and relevant, enabling students to reflect on religious beliefs and practices and their influence on individuals and society. Through studying key texts, ideas and contemporary themes, students engage with a rigorous academic discipline that encourages personal reflection and informed debate.Subject content breakdown
3.1 Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics
Philosophy of religion
- Arguments for the existence of God: design (Paley, Hume), ontological (Anselm, Gaunilo, Kant), cosmological (Aquinas, Hume, Russell)
- Evil and suffering: types of evil, logical and evidential problems, Hick’s theodicy, free will defence, Griffin’s process theodicy
- Religious experience: types (visions, numinous, mystical), challenges (verification, science), responses (Swinburne)
Ethics and religion
- Normative theories: natural moral law (Aquinas), proportionalism, situation ethics (Fletcher), virtue ethics (Aristotle)
- Application to: lying, theft, embryo research, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, use of animals in food, research, sport, organ transplants
3.2 Component 2: Study of religion (choose one of the following faith options)
2A Buddhism
- Wisdom and authority: the Buddha’s role, Pali Canon, Dukkha
- Ultimate reality: Trikaya, Anicca, Nirvana
- Self and afterlife: anatta, karma, arhat vs bodhisattva
- Moral principles: kusala/akusala, five precepts, ahimsa
- Identity: Sangha, devotion, meditation
2B Christianity
- Bible, Church and Jesus’ authority; Trinity; God’s nature (feminist critiques, process theology)
- Afterlife: resurrection, judgement, heaven, hell
- Morality: justification, sanctity of life, stewardship
- Identity: baptism, communion, mission
2C Hinduism
- Vedas and gurus; Trimurti, Brahman (Saguna/Nirguna)
- Karma, moksha, samsara, reincarnation
- Morality: dharma, ahimsa
- Identity: yoga paths, puja, ashrams
2D Islam
- Qur’an, Prophet, Imams
- Tawhid, God’s mercy and justice, Sufi views
- Afterlife: al-Qadr, Akhirah, Barzakh
- Morality: Shari’ah, jihad, stewardship
- Identity: pillars, mosque, Sunni/Shi’a
2E Judaism
- Tenakh, Talmud, Rabbis
- God’s nature (Maimonides, Buber); Messiah
- Afterlife: resurrection, soul, She’ol, reincarnation (kabbalah)
- Morality: mitzvot, sanctity of life, stewardship
- Identity: circumcision, bar mitzvah, synagogue
Assessment structure
Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 120 marks
- 67% of AS
- Section A: Two compulsory two-part questions (AO1 and AO2) on philosophy of religion
- Section B: Two compulsory two-part questions (AO1 and AO2) on ethics
Component 2: Study of religion
- Written exam: 1 hour
- 60 marks
- 33% of AS
- Two compulsory two-part questions (AO1 and AO2) based on one chosen religion
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA AS Religious Studies isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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