WJECGCSE115 resources

WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free WJEC GCSE Religious Studies past papers, mark schemes & examiner reports. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and ethical themes. 115 resources.

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Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1E: Written: Religion & Philosophical Themes Christianity and Buddhism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1F: Written: Religion&Philosophical Themes Catholic Christianity&Judaism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 3: Written: Catholic Christianity and Ethical Themes – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1F: Written: Religion&Philosophical Themes Catholic Christianity&Judaism [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1D: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Sikhism – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1F: Written: Religion&Philosophical Themes Catholic Christianity&Judaism [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1E: Written: Religion & Philosophical Themes Christianity and Buddhism – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 3: Written: Catholic Christianity and Ethical Themes [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1F: Written: Religion&Philosophical Themes Catholic Christianity&Judaism – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2A: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Judaism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 3: Written: Catholic Christianity and Ethical Themes – Mark Scheme – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2B: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Islam – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2A: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Judaism [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2C: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Hinduism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2A: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Judaism [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2E: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Buddhism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2B: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Islam [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1A: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Judaism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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📋

GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2B: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Islam [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1B: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Islam – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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📋

GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 2E: Written: Religion and Ethical Themes Christianity and Buddhism [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1C: Written: Religion & Philosophical Themes Christianity and Hinduism – Past Paper – Summer 2023

Past Paper

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📋

GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1A: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Judaism [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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📋

GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1A: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Judaism [Paper size: A4 Font size: 18] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

Modified Paper

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GCSE Religious Studies – Unit 1B: Written: Religion and Philosophical Themes Christianity and Islam [Paper size: A3 Font size: 36] – Modified Paper – Summer 2023

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Multi-Faith Study with Philosophical and Ethical Enquiry in Wales

WJEC GCSE Religious Studies offers a flexible specification with multiple routes, allowing schools to combine the study of religious traditions with philosophical and ethical themes. The qualification is structured around three units, with different route options available. Unit 1 covers Religion and Philosophical Themes — students study one or two religions (from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Sikhism) alongside philosophical questions about the existence of God, the problem of evil, the nature of life and death, and the relationship between science and religion. Unit 2 covers Religion and Ethical Themes — examining moral issues such as relationships, equality, peace and conflict, and human rights through the lens of religious teachings and secular ethical frameworks. Unit 3 is a further study of either religion or themes, depending on the route. The WJEC specification emphasises the Welsh context: how religious communities contribute to Welsh society, the history of Nonconformism in Wales, and the multi-faith character of modern Wales. The 'Catholic Christianity' route option reflects the significant Catholic school sector that uses WJEC specifications. Each unit is assessed through a written paper lasting between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes. This archive contains 115 resources from Summer 2018 to Summer 2023 across all route options.

Exam Paper Structure

Unit 1No calculator

Religion and Philosophical Themes

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 marks📊 37.5% of grade

Religious beliefs and teachingsPhilosophical arguments for GodProblem of evilLife, death and the afterlife

Unit 2No calculator

Religion and Ethical Themes

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 marks📊 37.5% of grade

Relationships and familyEquality and human rightsPeace, conflict and warCrime and punishment

Unit 3No calculator

Further Study

⏱ 1 hour🎯 marks📊 25% of grade

Deeper study of religion or themesSacred texts and authorityReligious practices and community

Key Information

Exam Board	WJEC
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	A*–G
Assessment Type	3 written papers
Unit 1	Religion and Philosophical Themes
Unit 2	Religion and Ethical Themes
Unit 3	Further study (religion or themes)
Religions Available	Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism
Route Options	Multiple routes including Catholic Christianity
Available Sessions	Summer 2018 – Summer 2023
Total Resources	115

Key Topics in Religious Studies

Topics you need to know

Religious beliefs about God and creationPhilosophical arguments and theodiciesEthical issues and moral decision-makingReligious practices and community lifeSacred texts and their interpretationReligion and scienceReligion in contemporary Welsh and British society

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Give two...	Provide two brief, distinct pieces of factual information — no development required
Explain	Give reasons for a religious belief, practice, or ethical position, using specific religious teachings
Discuss	Present arguments for and against the statement, using religious and non-religious viewpoints, then reach a conclusion
Describe	Give a detailed account of a religious practice, belief, or event
Analyse	Examine the issue in depth, exploring how different beliefs and perspectives relate to each other
With reference to...	Your answer must explicitly connect to the specific religion, text, or teaching named

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade A*	76–86%
Grade A	64–75%
Grade B	52–63%
Grade C	40–51%
Grade D	28–39%

⚠️ Typical boundaries. RS boundaries vary significantly by route option. Actual boundaries vary by series.

Presenting Diverse Viewpoints and Structuring Evaluative Arguments in RS

WJEC RS mark schemes consistently reward responses that present diverse viewpoints. For every ethical or philosophical question, you should be able to articulate at least three perspectives: two different religious views (e.g., a liberal Christian and a conservative Muslim perspective on an ethical issue) and one non-religious or secular humanist view. Simply stating 'Christians believe...' is insufficient — acknowledge the diversity within each tradition. The 'd' questions in each unit carry the highest marks (typically 15 marks) and require extended evaluation. These questions always present a stimulus statement and ask 'Discuss this statement.' The structure should be: (1) arguments supporting the statement with religious evidence, (2) arguments against the statement with religious evidence, (3) your own conclusion explaining which view you find most convincing and why. Don't sit on the fence — take a position and defend it. Learn specific religious teachings, texts, and practices rather than vague generalisations. 'The Bible says do not kill' is weak; 'The Sixth Commandment states "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13), though some scholars interpret this as applying only to unlawful killing, as the same tradition permits killing in war and self-defence' demonstrates genuine understanding. For philosophical themes, understand the key arguments: cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments for God's existence, the problem of evil (with both theodicies and atheist responses), and the compatibility/incompatibility debate between science and religion. Learn the names of key thinkers (Aquinas, Paley, Hume, Dawkins) and their specific arguments.

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WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download Past Papers

Summer 2023

Multi-Faith Study with Philosophical and Ethical Enquiry in Wales

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Religious Studies

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

Presenting Diverse Viewpoints and Structuring Evaluative Arguments in RS

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