Which religious traditions can I study?

Five options: 2A Buddhism, 2B Christianity, 2C Hinduism, 2D Islam, or 2E Judaism. Your school picks one at the start of the course. All are worth the same marks.

Is there any coursework?

No non-exam assessment. The whole qualification is decided by the two 3-hour written papers in May/June at the end of year 13.

Why are the papers so long?

Both papers are 3 hours, among the longest written papers at A-Level. This is because they require a lot of extended writing: two-part questions worth 10 marks (AO1) plus 15 marks (AO2), and on Paper 2 Sections B and C a 25-mark synoptic essay each. The largest single question is 25 marks. Practise timing and essay structure early so you're not caught out.

What are the dialogue essays on Paper 2?

Paper 2 has two dialogue sections: Section B links your chosen tradition with Philosophy of Religion content from Paper 1, and Section C links it with Ethics content from Paper 1. For example: how the tradition handles the problem of evil (B), or how the tradition's ethics compare with natural moral law (C). Cross-topic essays throughout the course build this skill.

Does Cognito cover AQA A-Level Religious Studies?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062) Specification

Q: How many papers are in AQA A-Level Religious Studies?

Two papers, both sat at the end of year 13, each 3 hours and 100 marks, worth 50% each. Paper 1 covers Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. Paper 2 covers one chosen religious tradition plus dialogues between the tradition and philosophy/ethics.

AQA A-Level Religious Studies (7062) is a two-year linear qualification with two 3-hour papers, each worth 50%. Paper 1 covers Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. Paper 2 covers the Study of Religion (one chosen tradition) and a Dialogues section linking religion with philosophy and ethics.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

A. Philosophy of Religion
Paper 1
- Arguments for the existence of God (ontological, cosmological, teleological)
- Religious experience, problem of evil, religious language
B. Ethics
Paper 1
- Ethical theories (natural moral law, situation ethics, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics)
- Applied ethics: bioethics, sexual ethics, environmental ethics
C. Study of Religion (Section A)
Paper 2
- One chosen tradition (2A Buddhism, 2B Christianity, 2C Hinduism, 2D Islam or 2E Judaism)
- Sources of authority, beliefs, practices, ways of life
D. Dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion (Section B)
Paper 2
- Synoptic dialogue between the chosen tradition and philosophy of religion
E. Dialogue between ethical studies and religion (Section C)
Paper 2
- Synoptic dialogue between the chosen tradition and ethical studies

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1 (Philosophy of Religion and Ethics)	Philosophy of Religion + Ethics	3h	100	50%	Section A (philosophy of religion) and Section B (ethics): each has two compulsory two-part questions, part 1 worth 10 marks (AO1) and part 2 worth 15 marks (AO2)
Paper 2 (Study of Religion and Dialogues)	One chosen religious tradition + dialogues with philosophy and ethics	3h	100	50%	Section A (study of religion): two compulsory two-part questions, part 1 worth 10 marks (AO1) and part 2 worth 15 marks (AO2). Sections B and C: one synoptic question each from a choice of two, worth 25 marks

PaperPaper 1 (Philosophy of Religion and Ethics)

What's assessedPhilosophy of Religion + Ethics

Length3h

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesSection A (philosophy of religion) and Section B (ethics): each has two compulsory two-part questions, part 1 worth 10 marks (AO1) and part 2 worth 15 marks (AO2)

PaperPaper 2 (Study of Religion and Dialogues)

What's assessedOne chosen religious tradition + dialogues with philosophy and ethics

Length3h

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesSection A (study of religion): two compulsory two-part questions, part 1 worth 10 marks (AO1) and part 2 worth 15 marks (AO2). Sections B and C: one synoptic question each from a choice of two, worth 25 marks

Students choose one religious tradition (2A Buddhism, 2B Christianity, 2C Hinduism, 2D Islam or 2E Judaism) for Paper 2. Paper 2 has three sections: Study of religion (A), Dialogue with philosophy of religion (B) and Dialogue with ethical studies (C). Both papers are 3 hours, among the longest written papers at A-Level.

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including: religious, philosophical and/or ethical thought and teaching; influence of beliefs, teachings and practices on individuals, communities and societies; cause and significance of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice; approaches to the study of religion and belief.	40%
AO2	Analyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study.	60%

AOAO1

What it meansDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including: religious, philosophical and/or ethical thought and teaching; influence of beliefs, teachings and practices on individuals, communities and societies; cause and significance of similarities and differences in belief, teaching and practice; approaches to the study of religion and belief.

Overall40%

AOAO2

What it meansAnalyse and evaluate aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance, influence and study.

Overall60%

assessment objectives

Structure essays with clear argument
AO2 (analysis and evaluation) is 60%, the biggest AO. Every essay needs a defensible thesis backed by weighted arguments and a considered judgement.
Learn named philosophers and theologians
Aquinas, Anselm, Hume, Kant, Mill, Bentham, Aristotle, Augustine, Paley, Fletcher, know their arguments, positions and criticisms.
Master the ethical theories
Natural moral law, situation ethics, virtue ethics, utilitarianism (act and rule), Kantian ethics. Know each theory's key claims, strengths, weaknesses and how to apply to applied ethics scenarios.
Choose your tradition carefully
Paper 2 requires one chosen tradition. Christianity and Islam are most common; Buddhism and Judaism are also popular. Your school picks.
Practise dialogue essays
Paper 2 has two separate dialogue sections, each worth 25 marks: Section B is the dialogue with philosophy of religion, Section C the dialogue with ethical studies. Both reward linking your chosen tradition to Paper 1 content, so practise cross-topic essays throughout the course.
Manage your time carefully
3 hours per paper with 100 marks = 1.8 minutes per mark. Practise timing early so extended essays don't run over.

key tips for success

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A-Level Religious Studies (AQA)

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A-Level Religious Studies (7062) Specification

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