SQA National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies specification (X864 75)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your SQA National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical 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 SQA National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical 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 SQA National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (X864 75) 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 SQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) course helps learners develop knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical issues in a modern context. It promotes tolerance, empathy and independent thinking by encouraging learners to examine their own beliefs and those of others. The course develops skills in analysis, reasoning and evaluation, fostering open-mindedness and the ability to reflect on complex ethical and philosophical dilemmas from a variety of perspectives.
Subject content breakdown
World Religion
- Study one world religion from: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism
- Focus on three key aspects: beliefs, practices and sources
- Topics include:
- The nature of the divine, life after death, the purpose of life
- Worship, festivals, places of worship and symbols
- Sacred texts, founders, and key moral teachings
Morality and belief
- Explore one moral issue from: violence, crime and the law; relationships; medicine; justice; conflict; environment
- Examine religious and non-religious perspectives
- Consider ethical theories and their applications
- Discuss the role of conscience, values and principles
- Evaluate responses to moral dilemmas
Religious and philosophical questions
- Choose one topic from: origins of life, existence of God, suffering, miracles
- Analyse religious and non-religious viewpoints
- Explore arguments, reasoning and evidence
- Assess strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives
- Develop logical, structured responses to abstract questions
Assessment structure
Question Paper
- Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
- 80 marks total
- Section 1: World Religion – 20 marks
- Section 2: Morality and Belief – 30 marks
- Section 3: Religious and Philosophical Questions – 30 marks
- All questions are mandatory and include knowledge, understanding, analysis and evaluation
Assignment
- Research-based task carried out over up to 8 hours
- 20 marks (20% of total award)
- Candidates investigate a religious, moral or philosophical question of their choice
Completed under supervision; externally marked
- Total award based on combined paper and assignment
- Graded A–D or 'No Award'
Key tips for success
Doing well in your SQA National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical 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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