Specifications that use this resource:

Switching to AQA from Edexcel A

To help you compare our GCSE with the offering from Edexcel, we’ve created some comparison tables.

These tables highlight the main differences between each exam board.

Mandated similarities

Alongside these differences, there are a number of things which need to be exactly the same. According to the Department for Education and Ofqual, all GCSE Religious Studies specifications must include assessment comprised of 50% AO1 and 50% AO2. They should also meet the requirement for students to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of two religions
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts, where appropriate, which support contemporary religious faith
  • understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies
  • understand significant common and divergent views between and/or within religions and beliefs
  • apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious beliefs and values
  • construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious beliefs and values set out in the subject content
  • demonstrate knowledge that the religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian and that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse and include the following religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as other religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism. Throughout all of the programmes of study, specifications should include the study of common and divergent views within traditions in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed.

See how your current exam board compares to us, below.

Alternatively, discover the resources and support we offer here.

Assessment structure

The Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A consists of three areas of three papers.

All students must complete Papers 1 and 2. Students must then complete one assessment from either Paper 3 or Paper 4.

Paper 1

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Catholic Christianity

Study of religion

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 45 minutes

1 hour 45 minutes

96 marks plus 3 marks for SPaG (50% of GCSE)

102 marks (50% of GCSE)

Paper 2

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Perspectives on faith

Study of second religion

Written exam

Written exam

1 hour 45 minutes

50 minutes

96 marks, plus 6 marks for SPaG (50% of GCSE)

51 marks (25% of GCSE)

Paper 3

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Philosophy and ethics

Written exam

50 minutes

51 marks (25% of GCSE)

Paper 4

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Textual studies

Written exam

50 minutes

51 marks (25% of GCSE)

Subject content

Paper 1

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Catholic Christianity

  • Creation
  • Incarnation
  • The Triune God, mission and prayer
  • Redemption – ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven
  • Church and the Kingdom of God
  • Eschatology: Christian life, death and eternity

Catholic Christianity

  • Beliefs and teachings
  • Practices
  • Sources of wisdom and authority
  • Forms of expression and   ways of life

Paper 2

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Perspectives on faith

  • Section A: Islam or Judaism
  • Section B: Themes

Study of second religion

  • Beliefs and teachings
  • Practices

Paper 3

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Philosophy and ethics

  • Arguments for the existence   of God
  • Religious teachings on   relationships and families in the 21st century

Students must select one religion from a choice of three

  • Catholic Christianity
  • Christianity
  • Islam

Paper 4

AQA – GCSE Religious Studies

Edexcel – GCSE Religious Studies

Textual studies

Students will be expected to study Christianity and St Mark’s Gospel within the context of the wider British society.