Past papers - CCEA GCSE Religious Studies

Here you can find CCEA past papers for GCSE Religious Studies. Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes (which contain the answers or indicative content and explain how marks are awarded).

CCEA past papers and mark schemes are the intellectual property of CCEA and are copyright © CCEA. All CCEA material is linked to with their permission.

The Christian Church through a Study of the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

The Christian Church with a Focus on either the Catholic Church or the Protestant Church

2a: The Christian Church with a Focus on the Catholic Church

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2b: The Christian Church with a Focus on the Protestant Church

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The Revelation of God and the Christian Church

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Christianity through a Study of the Gospel of Matthew

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Christianity through a Study of the Gospel of Mark

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

An Introduction to Christian Ethics

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Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
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An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

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Islam

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Judaism

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Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

You can find more religious studies past papers and mark schemes on the CCEA website.

Past papers and mark schemes going back as far as 2018 are available there, along with many Irish Medium and modified versions of the papers.

1. Learn key religious teaching and concepts
Remember you are completing a Religious Studies exam; make sure you know church teaching, what religious texts say and what religious groups believe. Top answers can quote specific religious texts such as the Bible, the Torah or the Qur’an or teaching from religious figures like the Pope, depending on the exam unit. Answers which contain little or no religious teaching will not gain many marks.

2. Learn key points and how to explain them
The examiner can only award top marks to answers which give relevant points which are further developed or explained. When you are learning key points, you need to think about how you will explain your point further. It can be useful to ask yourself “what does this mean?” for every point that you are making. For example, if you are quoting a religious text, you should then use your own words to explain how it applies to the question asked.

3. Practice writing answers in timed conditions
Just as a sportsperson practices to get better, people who practice writing answers in timed conditions also improve this skill. This will help you to focus your answers in the short amount of time of an exam. It helps you to process questions quickly and know what points you can make in the time allowed. It can also help you to write more, as your writing will get quicker with practice.

4. Look at past papers and mark schemes
Looking at past papers helps you to see the format and style of the questions. This encourages you to think about what kind of questions you might be asked and what information you would use to answer the questions. Mark schemes are useful to help you to think like an examiner. This encourages you to see the kind of points an examiner will look for. For example, in a five-mark question the examiner will often expect at least two but ideally three relevant points which are then developed/explained.

It can also be useful to read the reports of the Chief Examiner on the CCEA Religious Studies GCSE. These will help you to understand common mistakes made in exams, and demonstrate best practice. They are broken down by unit, so you should be able to easily find the section that will be most helpful to you.

5. Test yourself regularly
It is important to be sure when you revise that you are actually learning and retaining information. After you have completed revision of a certain topic, take a break and then later complete a past paper question on that topic. This will help you to be sure you have remembered and understood what you have been learning.

1. Follow the instructions on the paper carefully
Be sure to familiarise yourself with the instructions for each exam. In Section B, for instance, you must choose to answer two questions from three possible questions. Sometimes, people only answer one question and miss the marks from the second question. Other times, people answer all three questions but don't answer those as well as they could, as they have less time for each question.

2. Read the questions with care and answer what they ask
Be careful not to read questions too quickly and miss a key part of what you are being asked. Sometimes you will see a topic or question and think it is similar to a question you may have seen in a past paper. It can be easy to rush into answering a question that you think you have seen before, but in fact the question is not the same. Slow down and read the questions carefully before beginning your answer.

In evaluation questions, make sure you make direct reference to the statement in the question, rather than giving a general answer on the topic or issue being examined.

3. Make your point, explain your point and move on
It can be easy to get carried away with what you think is a great line of argument or debate, but try to focus on making three clear points which are well explained. If you find yourself writing far beyond the space allocated in the answer section, it may be time to move on to the next question!

4. Give balanced answers which show religious understanding
In Section B, the ‘part c’ questions are each worth 10 marks. The instructions ask you to show that you have considered different points of view. While you do not necessarily need to balance things 50/50 between different perspectives, to access top marks you must reflect more than one point of view. In addressing these differing points of view, be sure to give a religious understanding in your answer. It can be useful to include phrases like “some people believe…” and “other people believe…”.

5. Be careful with your timing
It might seem like 90 minutes is a long time for an exam. However, once you get started, time will appear to go quickly. If you do not keep an eye on the clock, it can be easy to run out of time and not get the exam finished. It can be helpful to plan your time at the outset of the exam, eg 10-12 minutes each for questions one and two, 15 minutes each for questions three and four, and 18 minutes each for the Section B questions. Then stick to your time plan to make sure you get everything you need done!

If practising with past papers has highlighted a particular area you need to improve, then further help is at hand.

You can go straight to the most relevant Bitesize study guide for CCEA GCSE Religious Studies and refresh your knowledge.

All topics are covered: the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, the revelation of God and the Christian Church, Christianity through a study of the Gospel of Matthew, Christianity through a study of the Gospel of Mark, an introduction to Christian ethics, an introduction to the philosophy of religion, Islam and Judaism.

Follow the links to the topic of your choice, where you'll find easy-to-understand revision materials, including videos, diagrams and quick quizzes.

Units 1 and 2: The Catholic Church

Birth of the Christian Church and Christianity in Ireland | Church government | Worship in the Catholic Church | Festivals in the Catholic Church | Sacraments in the Catholic Church | Role of the Church in contemporary society

Units 1 and 2: The Protestant Church

Birth of the Christian Church and development of Protestantism | Church government | Worship in the Protestant Church | Protestant Church buildings and furniture | Festivals in the Protestant Church | Sacraments and ordinances | The role of Church in contemporary society

Unit 3: The revelation of God and the Christian Church

The identity of Jesus | The teaching of Jesus | The encounters of Jesus with others | The death of Jesus | The resurrection of Jesus | The Christian Church: Worship and buildings | The Christian Church: Festivals | The Christian Church: Sacraments, ordinances and role

Unit 4: Christianity through a study of the Gospel of Matthew

The identity of Jesus | Jesus the miracle worker | The Kingdom of God | The death and resurrection of Jesus | The role and nature of Christian discipleship

Unit 5: Christianity through a study of the Gospel of Mark

The identity of Jesus | Jesus the miracle worker | The teaching of Jesus | The death and resurrection of Jesus | The role and nature of Christian discipleship

Unit 6: An introduction to Christian ethics

Personal and family issues: Sexual relationships | Personal and family issues: Marriage and divorce | Personal and family issues: Different types of family | Matters of life and death: Crime, punishment and justice | Matters of life and death: Abortion and euthanasia | Developments in bioethics | Contemporary issues in Christianity | Modern warfare

Unit 7: An introduction to the philosophy of religion

The existence of God | The nature of God | The problem of evil and suffering | Experiencing God | Life after death

Unit 8: Islam

The formative history of Islam | Sacred writings | Beliefs and practices | Festivals, special days and rites of passage | Contemporary issues

Unit 9: Judaism

The formative history of Judaism | Sacred writings | Beliefs and practices | Festivals, special days and rites of passage | Contemporary issues

Explore more religious studies resources with the full range of help from Bitesize.