Is GCSE Religious Studies Hard?

If you’re choosing your GCSE subjects, you might be wondering: Is GCSE Religious Studies actually hard? The truth is, it’s not a straightforward yes or no. 

Some students think GCSE RS is easy because there’s no maths, science, or coursework, while others find it challenging to memorise religious teachings and write balanced essays under exam pressure.

In reality, it’s somewhere in between. If you enjoy discussion, critical thinking, and essay writing, it’s very manageable. But you’ll still need to revise consistently and use key quotes effectively.

I’ve taught GCSE RS for years, and in this guide, I’ll explain what makes RS challenging, what makes it manageable, how it compares to other subjects, and what exam data reveals about your most important concern: how likely are you to pass?

So, Is GCSE Religious Studies Hard?

Overall, GCSE RS is about as challenging as other humanities subjects like History or Geography. Grade boundaries are often similar, and pass rates (grade 4 or above) have remained consistently high.

In 2023, approximately 72.3% of students achieved grade 4 (C) and above in GCSE Religious Studies according to Ofqual figures (opens in a new tab) – well above the 67.8% average achieved by students across all GCSE subjects (opens in a new tab) that year. This suggests that with good preparation, strong results in GCSE RS are very achievable.

Because RS is entirely exam-based and focuses on reading, writing, and analysing ideas rather than calculations or practical work, it may feel difficult if those aren’t your strengths. But if you enjoy essay-based learning and critical thinking, RS can be a highly rewarding choice.

What Makes Religious Studies Challenging?

Like any GCSE, RS has some challenging elements. Here are the main obstacles I’ve found for students, and how you can handle them.

Memorising Quotes and Teachings

​​You’ll need to learn key religious texts, quotes, or teachings to back up your points in longer answers to earn top marks.

Tips: 

• Use flashcards or colour-coded quote banks.

• Group quotes by theme (e.g. forgiveness, life after death) to make them easier to remember.

• Focus on key teachings or quotes that work across multiple topics. 

• Break quotes into small chunks or phrases so they’re easier to recall and quicker to write.

• You don’t need to memorise Bible or Qur’an reference numbers - what matters is knowing the meaning, source, and how it applies to the topic under discussion. 

• Paraphrasing is fine if it’s accurate.

Writing Balanced 12-Mark Essays

The highest-mark questions often ask you to present both sides of a religious argument, and then give your own reasoned conclusion. This means you need to know opposing views and explain them clearly under timed conditions.

Tips: 

• Use a simple structure like PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) for each paragraph.

• Always include religious teachings to support your points.

• Practice sketching out simple plans for essays, so you know exactly what you’re going to write before you start.

• Practice writing sample answers until they feel like second nature. This will make a huge difference to your confidence on the day.

• Use the worked examples on Save My Exams to give you a good idea of what the examiners are looking for. 

Covering Two Religions

Most GCSE RS courses require you to study two different religions, such as Christianity and Islam. This can feel like learning two subjects at once, especially when it comes to beliefs, practices, and teachings.

Tips:

• Create side-by-side comparison charts for key topics.

• Look for similarities and differences - these often come up in evaluation questions.

• Revise one religion at a time to avoid mixing up teachings.

What Makes Religious Studies Manageable (or Even Enjoyable)?

While there are challenges, RS has plenty of elements that make it accessible and even fun for many students.

Familiar and Real-Life Themes

GCSE RS covers topics and issues you’ll recognise from the news and everyday life: crime, war, relationships, human rights, and environmental issues. Referring to real-world events and responding to current events can make lessons feel more relevant and engaging. You can use these examples and your own experiences to strengthen your answers.

No Complex Maths or Science

RS is entirely literacy-based. There are no calculations, formulas, or lab experiments. If you prefer writing, debating, and analysing ideas over working with numbers, you may find RS a better fit for you than STEM-heavy subjects.

Clear Exam Structure

Most RS papers follow a predictable pattern. 

For example:

• 1-mark (quick definitions)

• 2 marks (short explanations)

• 4 marks (descriptions)

• 5 marks (explanations with reasons)

• 12 marks (balanced evaluation essays)

Once you know the structure, it’s the same for every topic, making revision easier. Use the model answers and past papers on Save My Exams to practise each type of answer until it feels automatic.

How Does RS Compare to Other GCSE Subjects?

Overall, GCSE Religious Studies sits somewhere alongside the other humanities subjects in terms of difficulty.

• Compared to History: In terms of content, RS is similar to History, as you’ll need to remember facts, apply them, and write essays. However, RS often has less chronological learning and more thematic content (themes, religious perspectives, and ethical debates). Many students find RS essays less content-heavy but equally demanding in terms of reasoning and evaluation.

• Compared to Geography: Geography blends written explanations with diagrams, data analysis, and some maths. RS is purely essay-based, so if writing is your strength, you may find RS more suited to you.

• Compared to English Literature: Both subjects require strong writing skills and the ability to analyse texts. However, RS answers are usually shorter and more focused on evaluation rather than literary analysis.

Your experience will depend on your strengths. Students who enjoy discussion, reflection, and essay writing often find RS less stressful than subjects that demand heavy memorisation of dates or data. On the other hand, if you struggle to structure arguments or recall key quotes, RS can be just as challenging as any other GCSE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RS an easy GCSE subject?

It depends on your strengths. 

RS has no maths or practical element, which some students find easier, but it does require strong writing skills and the ability to remember and evaluate religious teachings and perspectives. If you enjoy discussion and essay-based work, you might find it more straightforward than other subjects.

How much content is in GCSE RS?

Usually two major world religions and four ethical themes. 

The amount of content is roughly equivalent to other humanities like History or Geography.

Can RS help with other subjects?

Yes. RS develops critical thinking, structured writing, and evaluation skills, which are helpful for English, History, Sociology, and Politics. 

It also complements subjects that require ethical reasoning, such as Health and Social Care or Law.

Final Thoughts

GCSE Religious Studies isn’t simply “easy” or “hard” – it depends on your skills and learning style. If you enjoy writing, discussing ideas, and reflecting on moral or philosophical questions, RS can be one of the most rewarding GCSEs you take. 

With consistent revision and a clear understanding of the exam format, top grades in GCSE RS are well within reach. Using Save My Exams’ GCSE Religious Studies resources, including revision notes, past papers and exam-style practice questions, can help you master both content and exam technique.

Sources

GCSE outcomes in England (opens in a new tab)

Infographics for GCSE results, 2023 (accessible) - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)