GCSE Religious Studies₈₀₆₃

1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Religious Studies B

Our GCSE enables you to focus in depth on the Catholic faith, by looking at beliefs, teachings, practices, sources of authority and forms of expression within Catholic Christianity.

Students will broaden their understanding of religion by studying the beliefs and practices of another major world faith – either Islam or Judaism.

There's also the choice of either studying contemporary ethical issues through Catholic and other religious and non-religious perspectives, or engaging with scripture in depth through the study of St Mark's gospel.

This specification will not only help students understand theological concepts and religious doctrines, but it will also promote and equip students with valuable skills for their future development, such as analytical and critical thinking, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills.

Highlights include:

• experienced subject experts and teachers helped us create a clear and straightforward approach to assessment
• question papers will enable students of all abilities to show what they know.

You can find out all about our Religious Studies B qualification at aqa.org.uk/religious-studies

1.2 Support and resources to help you teach

We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.

Teaching resources

Visit aqa.org.uk/8063 to see all our teaching resources. They include:

• schemes of work
• specimen questions and marked exemplars
• resources listed for each of the religions
• step by step guidance for assessment
• guidance to new content
• training courses to help you deliver AQA GCSE Religious Studies B
• subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly-qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration.

Preparing for exams

Visit aqa.org.uk/8063 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including:

• past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports
• sample papers and mark schemes for new courses
• Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions
• example student answers with examiner commentaries.

Analyse your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)

Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era

For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results

Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development

Time in the classroom is precious, but we understand that as your career develops, the skills and knowledge you need may change. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills.

• Feedback sessions to understand how students have performed in this year’s exams.
• Virtual communities where you can chat to teachers in your subject area about what’s important to you.

This is just the start . Our events calendar is full of different ways for you to learn, understand and be inspired. Find out more at aqa.org.uk/professional-development .

Help and support available

Visit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at aqa.org.uk/8063

If you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails and updates at aqa.org.uk/keepinformed-religious-studies

Alternatively, you can call or email our subject team direct.

E: religiousstudies@aqa.org.uk

T: 0161 957 3881