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GCSE Religious Studies Exam
GCSE Religious Studies Exam
Book your GCSE Religious Studies exam for November 2026 or May 2027 with Pass GCSE. Whether this is your first time sitting the exam or you’re taking a GCSE Religious Studies resit, Pass GCSE is here to support you throughout the process.
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Ofqual-Regulated GCSE Religious Studies Exam - Available to all external candidates, resit learners, and adult learners.
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Lowest Cost, No Hidden Fees - We aim to keep our GCSE exams competitively priced for the service provided, with clear, upfront pricing and no hidden charges.
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Fast-Track GCSE Religious Studies Qualification - Complete your qualification in under 12 months.
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Late fee pricing now applies - Get your place secured ASAP before exam centre spaces run out!
Now available online.
Spread the cost over up to 6 months
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How does the GCSE Religious Studies exam process work?
Need support with booking your GCSE Religious Studies resit exam, or unsure where to start? At Pass GCSE, we make the process clear and straightforward. Whether you’re uncertain which qualification you need, what the resit involves, or how to book your exam, our friendly team is here to help.
GCSE Religious Studies resit exams take place in the summer each year, and you’ll sit your exam at a local exam centre. The exam is open to external candidates aged 16 and over, and we’ll take care of all the exam arrangements on your behalf.
Get in touch and one of our GCSE exam advisors will talk through your options and help you feel confident about retaking GCSE Religious Studies.
Confirm your exam place
Select your GCSE Religious Studies exam options above, then continue to checkout to secure your booking.
We handle the arrangements
The Pass GCSE exams team will contact you with next steps and guidance and will organise your booking at a local exam centre.
Sit your exam
We’ll send full confirmation of your GCSE Religious Studies exam date, time, location, and venue details in advance, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
Receive your results
Your exam centre will issue your results, confirming the grade you have achieved.
Take your next step
Progress to college, university, an apprenticeship, or move forward in your career.
Ofqual-Regulated GCSE and IGCSE Options
This GCSE Religious Studies exam is regulated by Ofqual, meaning it is a fully recognised qualification equivalent to those taken in schools and colleges. It is suitable for private candidates as well as adult learners.
Lowest Cost, No Hidden Fees
We aim to keep GCSE Religious Studies exam fees as competitive as possible for the service provided, with clear, upfront pricing that includes everything you need, such as the exam, invigilation, and official certification.
Fast-Track GCSE Religious Studies Qualification
Prepare for and complete your GCSE Religious Studies exam in less time than traditional school or college routes. Many learners achieve their qualification within 12 months, with some completing it in as little as 6 months.
1 Confirm your exam place
Select your preferred exam board above for your GCSE Religious Studies exam, then complete your booking by following the checkout process.
GCSE Religious Studies Details
Ofqual-regulated GCSE Religious Studies exam available with AQA and Edexcel.
Recognised across the UK as an official GCSE qualification, equivalent to those taken in schools and colleges.
2 We handle the arrangements
The Pass GCSE exams team will get in touch by phone or email to provide further guidance and will oversee the full booking process, including arranging your place at a local exam centre.
The booking process was easy
The booking process was easy, and the team were extremely helpful, walking me through each step and making it simple to find an exam centre close to me. They also provided a lot of useful resources and were always willing to help, which made the whole experience incredibly useful and reassuring.
3 Sit your exam
Before your exam, we’ll send you full details of your GCSE Religious Studies exam, including the exam time, location, and what you’ll need to bring on the day, so you can prepare with confidence. We recommend checking the exam regulations in advance to avoid any issues on the day. You’ll sit the exam in person at your allocated exam centre, alongside other candidates across the UK.
Exam Information
Exam taken in person at a local exam centre.
GCSE Religious Studies exam dates are listed further down this page.
4 Receive your results
GCSE results are released once a year on a national results day, which usually takes place on the third Thursday in August. On this day, grades are issued across all subjects and exam boards.
As you’ll be sitting GCSE Religious Studies as a private candidate, your results will typically be issued directly by your exam centre on this date. It’s important to check in advance how your centre provides results, as some require collection in person, while others send results by email or post.
5 Take your next step
Progress onto college, university, an apprenticeship, or take the next step in your career with your GCSE Religious Studies qualification.
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GCSE Religious Studies A Exam Information - AQA (8062)
Component 1: The Study of Religions
Topics
Students will study the beliefs, teachings, practices, and sources of wisdom and authority of two religions from a list of options including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and others.
Format
Written exam, 96 marks + 6 marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG). The paper consists of two five-part questions for each religion, marked out of 48 for each religion.
Component 2: Thematic Studies
Topics
Students can choose from a range of philosophical, ethical, and religious themes, such as relationships, human rights, crime and punishment, or study religious texts such as St Mark's Gospel.
Format
Written exam, 96 marks + 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG). The paper consists of one five-part question for each theme, marked out of 24 per theme.
GCSE Religious Studies A Exam Information - Edexcel (1RA0)
Paper 1: Study of Religion
Topics
Beliefs and teachings, practices, sources of wisdom and authority, forms of expression and ways of life.
Format
A range of short-answer and extended-response questions based on religion of choice (out of 3 options), including analysis of religious texts and their significance.
Paper 2: Study of Religion
Topics
Beliefs and teachings, practices of a second religion (e.g., Islam, Hinduism, Judaism).
Format
A range of short-answer and extended-response questions based on the chosen second different religion (out of 7 options).
Paper 3: Philosophy and Ethics
Topics
Arguments for the existence of God, Religious teachings on relationships and families in the 21st century.
Format
A range of short-answer and extended-response questions based on philosophical and ethical themes for a chosen religion (out of 3 options).
Paper 4: Textual Studies
Topics
The significance and teachings of Mark's Gospel or The Qur’an, including understanding of key texts and their impact.
Format
Short-answer and extended-response questions based on a chosen textual study.
GCSE Religious Studies B Exam Information - Edexcel (1RB0)
Paper 1: Religion and Ethics
Topics
Beliefs, Marriage and the Family, Living the Religious Life, Matters of Life and Death
Format
A range of short and longer questions including structured and extended responses. Questions may include sources of wisdom and authority from religious texts.
Paper 2: Religion, Peace and Conflict
Topics
Beliefs, Crime and Punishment, Living the Religious Life, Peace and Conflict
Format
A range of short and longer questions examining issues such as crime, justice, war, and peace from the perspective of a chosen religion.
Paper 3: Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice
Topics
Beliefs, Philosophy of Religion, Living the Religious Life, Equality
Format
A range of structured and extended questions exploring philosophical ideas and issues of equality and justice within a religious tradition.
Please note: for the above only, students must choose 2 different areas of study for which they will sit one exam each, and must choose a different religion for each area of study.
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Information - Edexcel IGCSE (4RS1)
Paper 1: Beliefs and Values
Topics
Religious beliefs, values, practices and ethical issues, studied through the chosen religion and wider moral themes.
Format
A written paper with a range of short and extended questions. Students answer questions based on religious beliefs, values and ethical issues, using relevant knowledge, understanding and evaluation.
Paper 2: The Religious Community
Topics
The life, worship, practice and organisation of a religious community, including how beliefs are expressed through religious life.
Format
A written paper assessing knowledge and understanding of the chosen religious community. Questions include structured and extended responses requiring explanation and evaluation.
Please note: for Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies, students sit both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (AQA A)
Summer 2027
| Date | Time | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Thursday 13rd May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Friday 21st May | Morning | 1h 45m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (Edexcel A & Edexcel B)
Summer 2027
Edexcel A – Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4
Edexcel B – Paper 1, 2 & 3
| Date | Time | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Thursday 13th May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Friday 21st May | Morning | Edexcel A: 50m / Edexcel B: 1hr 45m |
| Paper 3 Paper 3 | Monday 7th June | Morning | Edexcel A: 50m / Edexcel B: 1hr 45m |
| Paper 4 (Edexcel A Only) Paper 4 (Edexcel A Only) | Monday 7th June | Morning | 50m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (Edexcel IGCSE)
Summer 2027
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Thursday 13th May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2A to 2F Paper 2A to 2F | Friday 21st May | Morning | 1h 30m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (AQA A)
Summer 2026
| Date | Time | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Tuesday 12th May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Wednesday 20th May | Afternoon | 1h 45m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (Edexcel A & Edexcel B)
Summer 2026
Edexcel A – Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4
Edexcel B – Paper 1, 2 & 3
| Date | Time | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Tuesday 12th May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2 Paper 2 | Wednesday 20th May | Afternoon | Edexcel A: 50m / Edexcel B: 1hr 45m |
| Paper 3 Paper 3 | Monday 1st June | Afternoon | Edexcel A: 50m / Edexcel B: 1hr 45m |
| Paper 4 (Edexcel A Only) Paper 4 (Edexcel A Only) | Monday 1st June | Afternoon | 50m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam Dates (Edexcel IGCSE)
Summer 2026
| Paper 1 Paper 1 | Tuesday 12th May | Morning | 1h 45m |
| Paper 2A to 2F Paper 2A to 2F | Wednesday 20th May | Afternoon | 1h 30m |
GCSE Religious Studies Exam FAQs
What exam boards do you offer?
For Religious Studies GCSE we offer Edexcel (A), Edexcel (B), AQA (A) and Edexcel IGCSE. Please make sure you have a look at the differences between each before choosing which one you would like to sit with.
How many papers will I need to sit?
This differs between exam boards, the papers for each are as below:
- AQA (A) – Two papers, 1 hour and 45 minutes each.
- Edexcel (A) – Four papers, papers 3 & 4 are sat one after another in the same day. Paper 1 is 1 hour and 45 minutes, papers 2, 3 and 4 are 50 minutes each.
- Edexcel (B) – Consists of 3 papers, each one is an hour and 45 minutes.
- Edexcel IGCSE – Two papers. Paper 1 is 1 hour 45 minutes and Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Where will I be sitting my GCSE Religious Studies exam?
We will find an exam centre that is local to you and provides the exam board that you are wanting to sit. Contact us today and we can help you find the nearest exam centre to you.
Can adults take this GCSE RS exam?
Yes, the only requirement to sit this exam is you must be over the age of 16. It very common for adults to sit GCSEs whether it be a resit or for the first time.
What is a Fast-Track GCSE Religious Studies qualification?
A fast-track GCSE Religious Studies qualification with Pass GCSE allows you to prepare for and sit your GCSE Religious Studies exam in a shorter timeframe than studying at school or college. Many learners complete their qualification in under 12 months, with some finishing in as little as 6 months.
Is this the same qualification taken in schools?
Yes, this exam awards a GCSE Religious Studies qualification that is equivalent to the one taken by students in schools and colleges.
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