OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) specification (J125)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) 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 OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) 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 OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) (J125) 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 OCR specification PDF.
Specification overview
OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies (Short Course) encourages learners to explore religious, philosophical and ethical issues relevant to the modern world. Designed to engage learners with contemporary topics while developing critical and reflective thinking, it fosters knowledge of two religions, alongside key moral and philosophical debates. The course promotes well-informed arguments and a deeper understanding of beliefs, values, and identity in a pluralistic society.
This qualification enables students to: • study beliefs and teachings of two major religions • reflect on and develop personal beliefs and values • explore moral questions about relationships and family life • evaluate diverse views within and across religions and non-religious perspectives • apply scriptural and theological knowledge to philosophical and ethical contexts • develop skills in reasoning, analysis and argumentation essential for life and study:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
Section A: Beliefs and teachings Students study two from:
- Christianity: Nature of God, Trinity, Creation, Problem of Evil, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Resurrection, Eschatology
- Islam: Six articles of faith (Sunni) / Five roots (Shi’a), Nature of Allah, Risalah, Angels, Holy Books, Life after death
- Judaism: Nature of God, Shekinah, Messiah, Promised Land, Moral principles (Mitzvot), Sanctity of life, Eschatology
Section B: Relationships and families (same religion as Section C)
- Role of family and marriage; sexuality; pre-marital sex; contraception; divorce and remarriage
- Roles of men and women in family/community; religious upbringing
- Concepts of equality and discrimination within religion
Section C: Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes (same religion as Section B)
- Role of religion in public life, law, education, ethics, medical issues
- Dialogue within and between religions; exclusivism, inclusivism, pluralism
- Dialogue with secularism, humanism, atheism; shared values and areas of conflict:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Component: Religion, Philosophy and Ethics in the Modern World (J125/01)
- 2-hour written paper
- 100% of qualification
- One paper with three sections:
- Section A: Beliefs and teachings – 60 marks (+6 marks for SPaG)
- Section B: Relationships and families – 30 marks
- Section C: Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs – 30 marks
Question Structure
- Section A: Five parts (short answers to extended response)
- Sections B & C: Four parts each (short, medium and extended response)
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding – 50%
- AO2: Analysis and evaluation – 50%
Grading and Delivery
- Graded 9–1
- Total guided learning: 60 hours
- All content assessed in one examination series (May/June):contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) 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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