How to Revise A Level Religious Studies

Revising for A Level Religious Studies is a very different challenge from GCSE. The content is deeper, the questions are longer, and the standard of evaluation is much higher. To do well, you must be able to analyse complex arguments, use scholarly views effectively, and write sustained, critical essays under timed conditions.

The good news is that A Level RS rewards careful preparation. With the right strategies, you can turn all that learning into well-structured essays that examiners will reward with top marks. 

Here’s how to revise effectively for A Level Religious Studies, step by step, from breaking down the course content to mastering exam essay strategy, with tips on how to embed scholars neatly into your arguments.

Step 1 – Know Your Specification

Your specification is your most important revision tool. It tells you exactly what content you need to cover and what skills will be tested. The three main exam boards for A Level RS are:

• AQA: Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and Developments in Christian Thought.

• OCR: Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion & Dialogues.

• Edexcel (Pearson): Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and a chosen religious tradition.

Each board has slightly different emphases, so it’s important to be clear about which one you’re studying.

How to use your specification effectively

• Print or download it: Keep it beside you during revision and use it as the basis for your revision plan. Refer to it regularly. Nothing on the exam will fall outside it.

• Highlight key topics: For example, meta-ethics, Aquinas’ Natural Law, Kant’s moral theory, the problem of evil, miracles, Augustine, and feminist theology.

• Turn it into a checklist: Tick off topics as you revise them so you can track your progress.

• Link to past papers: Use the specification to match topics with questions that have already come up.

Step 2 – Master the Content Efficiently

There’s a huge amount of material in A Level RS, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The key is to revise efficiently, not endlessly. To revise effectively, organise the material so you can recall it quickly and apply it in essays.

Break revision content into themes

Divide your revision into clear topic areas, such as:

• Philosophy: soul, mind and body; arguments for God’s existence; problem of evil; miracles.

• Ethics: Natural Law; Kant; Utilitarianism; Situation Ethics; meta-ethics.

• Theology/Developments in Christian Thought: Augustine, feminist theology, pluralism, secularism.

Build summary resources

• Summary sheets: Create one-page overviews for each topic. Include key definitions, arguments, and at least two scholars with their views.

• Mind maps: Use colours and key words to show how arguments connect. For example, link the problem of evil to Augustine, Irenaeus, and modern challenges from Dawkins.

• Essay plans: Write skeleton plans for common questions, for example: “Critically assess Kant’s moral theory”. Outline Kant’s ideas, give strengths and weaknesses, and include at least two scholars who would align with or oppose his ideas.

Revise synoptically

Examiners reward students who can make synoptic links, which are links across topics. For example, you should be able to:

• Connect soul, mind and body in Philosophy with resurrection in Theology.

• Link Kantian ethics with debates about religious authority in Christian Thought.

• Use arguments about miracles to support or challenge belief in God.

You will have made these links during your course, but revise with the exam in mind: remind yourself of the synoptic links by including them in your mind maps and essay plans.

Step 3 – Use Scholars to Strengthen Your Arguments

At A Level, the views of scholars are an essential part of the course. You’ll need to be keenly aware of the key scholars you’ve studied, and to achieve high AO2 marks, examiners will want to see that you can engage critically with what these key thinkers have said.

Why scholars matter

• They show your depth of knowledge (AO1), proving you’ve gone beyond surface-level definitions.

• They provide ready-made evaluation points (AO2). Scholars often disagree, giving you contrasting perspectives to weigh up.

• They allow you to frame your own judgement by aligning or contrasting your position with expert views.

How to use scholars effectively in essays

• Name-drop with purpose: Don’t just list scholars! Use them to support or challenge an argument. 

• Balance strengths and weaknesses: Pair scholars against each other to help you develop your argument.

  • For example: “Aquinas argued that conscience is reason working to seek good, but Freud challenged this with his psychological model of the superego. This raises the question of whether conscience is divine or social in origin.”

Tips for revising scholars

• Create scholar flashcards with name, key idea, and a memorable quote.

• Group scholars by theme so you can quickly recall who supports or challenges an argument.

• Practise weaving scholars into essays naturally so that you can avoid ‘bolting on’ names without explanation.

Step 4 – Perfect Your Essay Structure

A Level RS exams differ in structure depending on the exam board you’re studying. However, they all have one thing in common: you will need to write essay-type answers. Edexcel breaks down some of the early questions into shorter components with a 30-mark essay later on. If you study OCR, all of your paper will consist of writing 40-mark essays.

Whichever board you’re following, you’ll need to be able to structure a clear, balanced, and well-evaluated argument from start to finish. Developing a consistent structure will keep your writing sharp and examiner-friendly.

A reliable structure for A Level exam essays

• Introduction: Define key terms in the question, set out your line of argument (thesis), and briefly outline the points you’ll cover. This shows focus from the start.

• Main arguments (3–4 paragraphs): Each paragraph should follow a clear pattern:

  • AO1: Present a belief, teaching, or scholarly idea.

  • AO2: Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and link it back to the question.

  • Use the PEEL approach (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) to keep paragraphs disciplined.

• Conclusion: Return to the exact wording of the question and state your final position clearly. Justify why one side of the argument is stronger, drawing on the key points you’ve made.

Example essay structure in practice

Question: “‘Natural Law is outdated as an ethical theory.’ Discuss.”

• Introduction: Briefly define Natural Law and set out your thesis (e.g., while rooted in Aquinas’ medieval context, some of its principles remain influential today).

• Paragraph 1: 

  • AO1 – Aquinas’ key precepts (preserve life, reproduce, live in society). 

  • AO2 – Strength: provides a universal moral framework. Weakness: may feel too rigid in modern pluralist societies.

• Paragraph 2: 

  • AO1 – Strength of Natural Law in aligning with human rights (e.g., protecting life).

  • AO2 – Evaluation of relevance in medical ethics (e.g., euthanasia debates).

• Paragraph 3: 

  • AO1 – Scholars like Fletcher critique rigidity, proposing Situation Ethics instead. AO2 – Show how this challenges Aquinas but also raises problems of relativism.

• Conclusion: Weigh the arguments: while Natural Law may not account for every modern issue, its rational basis continues to shape debates.

Why this matters

Examiners reward essays that show both breadth and depth. A rigid list of facts won’t hit top bands, but a structured essay with analysis and evaluation at each stage will. Stick to a framework you can repeat under pressure, practise it until it becomes second nature, and your answers will be consistent and convincing.

Step 5 – Practise Timed Essay Writing

As you can see, learning the course content is only half of A Level RS revision. Equally important is how you use your knowledge within essays. As an A Level RS teacher, I can attest that this can challenge even the most gifted of students. The best way to counter this and to build your confidence is by creating a habit of regular, timed practice.

Why timed essays matter

• They help you manage your time effectively in the exam.

• They train you to plan quickly, write clearly, and avoid drifting off-topic.

• They highlight gaps in your knowledge, so you can go back and revise those areas.

How to practise effectively

• Weekly practice: Aim to write at least one timed essay per week in the run-up to exams. Rotate between Philosophy, Ethics, and Christian Thought topics.

• Plan first: Spend 5 minutes bullet-pointing your arguments before you start writing. Include 3–4 main points, supporting scholars/quotes, and your conclusion.

• Peer or tutor feedback: Swap essays with a friend, or ask a teacher/tutor to mark them against the official mark scheme. You’ll learn how examiners reward structure, clarity, and evaluation.

• Use past questions: Work through official exam board questions. This ensures you’re familiar with the phrasing and variety of command words (e.g., “Discuss”, “Evaluate”, “Critically assess”).

Tip:

Create a question bank by collecting past paper questions from your exam board. Practise grouping them by theme (e.g., all the “soul” questions, all the “meta-ethics” questions). This makes it easier to revise synoptically and spot recurring patterns.

Step 6 – Active Recall and Spaced Repetition

At A Level, there’s far too much content to rely on last-minute cramming. Instead, you need methods that strengthen long-term memory and help you retrieve information quickly in the exam. The two most effective are active recall and spaced repetition.

Active recall

This means testing yourself, not just re-reading notes. Research shows that recalling information strengthens memory far more than passively reviewing.

• Blurting: Take a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you know about a topic (e.g., Kant’s Categorical Imperative). Then check your notes and fill in the gaps.

• Flashcards: Write concise prompts on one side (e.g., “Criticism of Utilitarianism: Mill”) and the explanation/quote on the other. 

• Self-quizzing: Make questions from your notes and answer them without looking.

Spaced repetition

Instead of revising a topic once and moving on, revisit it regularly over time. Each review strengthens memory and reduces the chance of forgetting.

• Week 1: Review a topic the day after first studying it.

• Week 2: Return to it 3-4 days later.

• Week 3: Revisit a week later.

• Keep extending the gap each time.

Make links between topics.

Because at A Level RS, examiners reward synoptic thinking, or connecting ideas across Philosophy, Ethics, and Christian Thought, incorporate this into your revision. When you revise a topic, draw links to any other relevant section of your course. For example:

• Link the concept of body and soul (Philosophy) with resurrection and eschatology (Christian Thought).

• Connect Natural Law (Ethics) with Aquinas’ wider theological ideas.

• Compare views on miracles in Philosophy and Theology.

This approach deepens your understanding and makes your essays stand out.

Step 7 – Apply Exam Strategy and Self-Reflection

Many strong students lose marks not because they don’t know the material, but because they run out of time or lose focus on the question. Make sure you walk into the exam with a clear strategy for how to use your time and structure your answers.

Time management

Start by learning the exact structure of your exam: how many questions there are, how they’re divided between Philosophy, Ethics, and Theology (depending on your board), and how much each is worth. Allocate time in proportion to marks. For example, in a two-hour paper with three 25-mark essays, plan around 35–40 minutes per essay, including planning. For shorter questions, keep them brief and move on quickly so you don’t eat into essay time.

The best way to build this skill is through practice. Use a timer when completing past papers and stick to strict limits. Training yourself to write at exam pace during revision will make it feel natural on the day.

Plan before writing

Even under time pressure, planning is essential. Spend 3–5 minutes jotting down a mini-outline before each essay: your thesis, 3–4 main points, relevant scholars, and a possible conclusion. This keeps your writing focused, avoids repetition, and helps you remember to include both AO1 and AO2 material.

Learn from examiner reports

After practising with past papers, go beyond mark schemes and read examiner reports from your exam board. These highlight the most common mistakes students make, such as writing everything they know about a topic without linking it to the question. They also show you what examiners were looking for in top-band answers. Build these lessons into your revision.

Reflect and adapt

Finally, use self-reflection. After each timed essay, ask yourself: 

• Did I answer the question directly? 

• Did I balance AO1 and AO2? 

• Did I include scholars? 

• Did I reach a justified conclusion? 

Over time, this reflection helps you sharpen both your content and your exam technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise quotes and scripture?

Yes. Quotes and references to scripture show depth of knowledge and add authority to your arguments. 

Quotes help you demonstrate both AO1 (knowledge) and AO2 (evaluation) skills in answers. Focus on short, memorable extracts you can apply flexibly across different topics rather than trying to memorise long passages.

What’s the best way to improve evaluation (AO2)?

The key to stronger evaluation is planning balanced arguments and always linking back to the question. 

For every point you make, ask yourself: how would a different scholar or tradition respond? Challenge your own argument before you conclude, then finish with a clear judgment. This shows examiners you’ve weighed the debate rather than just stated an opinion.

Final Thoughts

Revising A Level Religious Studies is as much about thinking critically as it is about remembering facts. Success comes from combining solid knowledge of content with the ability to analyse arguments, challenge perspectives, and use evidence well.

Start early, practise structured essays, and keep testing your understanding. Save My Exams resources can support you on your journey. With consistent revision and a smart strategy, you’ll be ready to perform at your best in the exam.

References:

Edexcel AS and A level Religious Studies (2016) | Pearson qualifications (opens in a new tab)

A-level Religious Studies 7062 (opens in a new tab)

AS and A Level - Religious Studies - H173, H573 (opens in a new tab)