How to Revise GCSE Religious Studies

Revising for GCSE Religious Studies (RS) is a little different from other subjects. Many students find RS engaging because it deals with real-world issues, but they also underestimate how much detail they need to learn. 

As well as remembering facts, you also need to explain ideas, analyse viewpoints, and write strong essays under timed conditions. 

The good news is that RS revision becomes much easier once you know what examiners are looking for and have a clear plan. I’ve taught GCSE RS for many years, and in this guide, I’ll break down the unique features of the RS exam, the skills you’ll need to focus on, and step-by-step strategies to show you how to revise GCSE Religious Studies. 

From learning key quotes to mastering 12-mark essays, you’ll be able to approach those final exams with confidence.

What Makes GCSE RS Unique?

GCSE Religious Studies isn’t quite like any other subject, and that’s why it requires its own approach to revision.

Exam structure

Most exam boards divide the course into two main areas.

• Paper 1 covers two religions in detail, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. You’ll study beliefs, practices, and the role of faith in daily life.

• Paper 2 is usually Thematic Studies, exploring ethical and philosophical issues like peace and conflict, human rights, or relationships.

Skills assessed

Examiners are looking for two things:

• AO1 (Knowledge): Can you recall and explain religious beliefs and practices accurately, with supporting detail?

• AO2 (Evaluation): Can you analyse different viewpoints, weigh up arguments, and give your own reasoned conclusion?

The challenge: You’ll need to balance breadth and depth in your writing. It’s not enough to know what religions teach; you must also show you understand why those teachings matter, and how they apply to ethical debates. You’ll have covered religious teachings, key quotes and examples throughout your course. This is why they’re so important. They give authority to your answers and boost your marks.

Many students underestimate how essay-based RS really is. The short questions test quick recall, but the higher-mark questions (like the 12-mark essays) require practice, planning, and clear writing under pressure.

Step 1 – Know the Exam Board Requirements

Before you dive into revision, the first thing you need to do is check which exam board you’re studying with. The structure of the GCSE RS course is broadly similar across boards, but there are important differences in content and question style. Knowing your board makes sure you revise the right material and practice with the right type of questions.

AQA:

You’ll study two religions in depth and four ethical themes (such as crime and punishment or relationships). Questions range from 1-mark multiple-choice questions up to 12-mark essays. AQA is very clear about expecting students to use religious teachings and evaluate evidence in longer answers to reach top AO2 marks.

Edexcel (Pearson):

Like AQA, Edexcel focuses on two religions and several themes. The longer evaluation questions are worth more in Edexcel papers: up to 15 marks instead of 12. Just like AQA answers, you’ll need to be able to write essays evaluating beliefs or themes, structuring your thoughts via well-developed arguments and reaching a clear conclusion.

OCR:

OCR also covers religions and themes, and expects you to demonstrate AO2 skills in extended answers. The exam wording in OCR papers means that you’ll need to take care to respond accurately to the specific command words in questions (e.g. “analyse”, “outline”, “evaluate”, “discuss”) and ensure your answer matches what the examiner is asking.

Tip: 

Download the specification and sample papers for your exam board. Keep them handy while revising so you know exactly what to focus on. Practising with Save My Exams past papers and mark schemes is also the quickest way to get familiar with the wording and expectations of your board.

Step 2 – Master Key Content and Teachings

Once you know your exam board, the next step is making sure you’ve got a firm grasp of the key beliefs, practices, and ethical themes. This is your foundation: without it, it’s impossible to score highly in evaluation questions.

Use Mind Maps and Summary Tables

GCSE RS often asks you to compare religious perspectives. For example, Christianity and Islam may both teach forgiveness, but they emphasise it in different ways. Creating mind maps or side-by-side tables helps you spot similarities and differences quickly. These tools are brilliant for revision because you can revisit them repeatedly.

Memorise Key Quotes

Religious teachings are essential for top grades, especially in longer answers. Examiners want to see that you can back up your arguments with authority.

• Use flashcards with the quote on one side and the theme on the other.

• Group quotes by topic (e.g. war, forgiveness, afterlife) so you can apply them flexibly.

• Try mnemonics or rhythms to make tricky quotes easier to recall.

• Remember: you don’t always need the exact wording. Paraphrasing is fine as long as the meaning is correct.

Top tip: Focus on short, powerful quotes that work across multiple topics. For example, “Love your neighbour” can be applied to issues like prejudice, crime, and relationships.

Step 3 – Practise High-Scoring Evaluation (AO2)

AO2 is all about showing that you can evaluate: weigh up different sides of an argument and reach a justified conclusion. This skill is tested most clearly in the 12-mark questions, which carry the most marks on the paper.

Examiners aren’t just looking for your opinion. They want:

• Two or more perspectives, explained clearly.

• Use of religious teachings or examples to back up each side.

• A conclusion where you decide which argument is stronger, and why.

Use the PEEL Method

A simple way to structure paragraphs is PEEL:

• Point – Make a clear statement (e.g. “Many Christians believe…”).

• Evidence – Back it up with a teaching, scholar, or example.

• Explain – Show how it supports your point.

• Link – Connect back to the question.

This keeps your answer focused and examiner-friendly.

Plan Before You Write

It’s tempting to dive straight in, but a 30-second plan can save you time. Write a quick outline with:

• Side A (with quotes/examples)

• Side B (with quotes/examples)

• Your conclusion

That way, you won’t forget key points or end up repeating yourself.

Top tip: Use Save My Exams’ worked examples of 12-mark questions. Seeing what examiners award top marks for makes it much easier to model your own answers.

Step 4 – Use Past Papers and Mark Schemes

Past papers are one of the most powerful revision tools for GCSE RS. They show you exactly how exam questions are phrased and what examiners expect.

• Find papers for your exam board (AQA, Edexcel, or OCR). You can download them from exam board websites or use the complete sets on Save My Exams.

• Practise under timed conditions. This helps you get used to writing essays quickly and managing pressure.

• Self-mark using mark schemes. After finishing, check your answers against the official mark scheme to see if you’ve met the AO1 (knowledge) and AO2 (evaluation) criteria.

• Read examiner reports. These highlight common mistakes students make each year (like forgetting to include quotes) and what examiners want to see more of.

Top tip: Don’t just write essays, also practise short 1-, 2-, and 4-mark questions. Picking up easy marks here can give your overall grade a big boost.

Step 5 – Mix Revision Techniques

As with every other subject on your schedule, you’ll get the best results when revising RS if you combine a variety of active revision techniques. For example:

• Dual coding: Combine diagrams, flow charts, or symbols with written notes. For example, use a balance scale drawing to show different arguments on an ethical issue.

• Flashcards: Great for testing yourself on key quotes, scholars, or definitions. Keep them short and simple.

• Blurting: Write down everything you know about a topic from memory, then check against your notes to see what you missed.

• Active recall: Instead of re-reading, close your notes and quiz yourself. Get a friend or family member to test you.

• Spaced practice: Rotate topics regularly instead of cramming one area for hours. Revisiting ideas little and often makes them stick long-term.

Top tip: Mix “easy wins” (topics you already know well) with weaker areas. This keeps your revision balanced and builds confidence.

Step 6 – Don’t Forget Exam Strategy

Acing GCSE Religious Studies depends on how you apply your knowledge in the exam hall. Even if you’ve revised thoroughly, your exam technique can make or break your grade. Here are some tips I always share with students:

• Time management: Don’t spend too long on the short questions (1-4 marks). They’re quick recall and shouldn’t eat into your time for the 12-mark essay questions. A good rule is to match minutes to marks: e.g., 12 marks ≈ 12–15 minutes.

• Quote recall under pressure: Have a bank of short, memorable quotes ready. For example: “Love your neighbour” (Christianity) or “Be compassionate” (Buddhism). You don’t need to memorise long passages. Examiners value concise quotes that directly support your point.

• Answer the question, not the topic: Always link your knowledge back to the exact wording of the question. Underline key words in the paper to keep focused.

• Balance AO1 and AO2: Use your factual knowledge (AO1) to support your evaluation (AO2). For example, if asked about forgiveness, you might first state what Christianity teaches (AO1), then weigh up different views on whether forgiveness should always be given (AO2).

• Essay planning: For 12-mark questions, jot down a quick structure before writing. Include two sides of the argument, evidence/quotes, and a clear conclusion. This will keep your essay balanced and focused.

• Practice under exam conditions: Try answering at least a few full past papers with a timer. This builds stamina and gets you used to switching between short factual answers and extended evaluative writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to memorise religious quotes for GCSE RS?

Yes. Quotes are especially important for the longer evaluation questions. 

A short, well-chosen teaching shows the examiner that you can support your arguments with evidence. However, you don’t need to learn entire passages: focus on short, powerful, relevant phrases. Aim for 3–5 key quotes per topic, and remember that you can apply quotes across topics, as long as they’re relevant.

How many religions do I need to study?

This depends on your exam board and your school’s choices. 

Most students study two religions, most commonly Christianity and Islam. Some schools teach Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, or Sikhism instead. You’ll also apply these beliefs to themes such as peace and conflict, relationships, or human rights.

How can I improve my 12-mark questions?

Practice is key. Always:

• Plan before you write.

• Give arguments for and against.

• Use quotes and teachings as evidence.

• Finish with a justified conclusion.

Examiners want to see balanced reasoning, not just your opinion. The best answers link AO1 knowledge (beliefs, practices, teachings) with AO2 skills (analysis and evaluation).

Reading model answers on Save My Exams can show you what top-level responses look like.

Final Thoughts

Revising for GCSE Religious Studies is about combining a solid knowledge of beliefs and teachings with the ability to analyse, evaluate, and argue clearly under timed conditions. This makes it a difficult subject to ‘cram’ for the night before, but pretty straightforward if you follow a structured revision programme.

By taking these steps: understanding your exam board, mastering key content and quotes, practising evaluation skills, and refining exam technique, you’ll put yourself in the best position to achieve top marks. Use the comprehensive revision notes, past papers, and practice answers from Save My Exams, alongside a mix of active revision techniques, to build your confidence.

With the right preparation, you can walk into your GCSE RS exam ready to show your knowledge, understanding, and ability to think critically, whatever the paper holds.

Resources:

AQA | Subjects | Religious Studies (opens in a new tab)

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B (2016) | Pearson qualifications (opens in a new tab)

GCSE - Religious Studies (9-1) - J625, J125 (opens in a new tab)