CCEA GCE A Level Religious Studies (580) Past Papers 2026

An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

An Introduction to Themes in the Old Testament

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

The Origins and Development of the Early Christian Church to AD 325

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

The Celtic Church in Ireland in the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Centuries

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

An Introduction to Islam

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Foundations of Ethics with Special Reference to Issues in Medical Ethics

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Themes in the Synoptic Gospels

Duration: 2 hours

Themes in Selected Letters of St Paul

Duration: 2 hours

Themes in the Old Testament

Duration: 2 hours

Themes in the Early Church and the Church Today

Duration: 2 hours

Themes in the Celtic Church, Reformation and Post-Reformation Church

Duration: 2 hours

Islam in a Contemporary Context

Duration: 2 hours

Global Ethics

Duration: 2 hours

Themes in the Philosophy of Religion

Duration: 2 hours

Section B OAHE tasks across all units — inability to engage critically with examples from human experience

This is the single most consistently flagged weakness across all three years and all option units. Examiners describe candidates who 'list examples with minimal critical assessment', who 'revert to taught course content', and who provide 'exemplification that bore no connection to the set task'. The AS 6 (Islam), AS 7 (Ethics), AS 2 (Acts), AS 5 (Celtic Church), and A2 units all flag this in every year.

All AS Section B, All A2 Section B

Ethics theories (AS 7 / A2 7) — confusion between Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, and Utilitarianism

Confusion between these theories was reported in all three years. In 2024, the overview reported 'confusion between Natural Moral Law and Situation Ethics was apparent'. In 2025, candidates were 'confused between Situation Ethics and utilitarianism'. In 2024, some were 'not familiar with NML, confusing it with utilitarianism and Situation Ethics'. This leads to answers that misapply key concepts.

AS 7, A2 7

A2 Synoptic Assessment Part (a) — absent, weak, or artificial cross-unit links

Examiners in 2023, 2024, and 2025 all noted that synoptic performance remains a challenge. In 2023, 'the quality of response offered varied considerably with some candidates not really conversant with requirements'. In 2025, some candidates 'did not attempt the Synoptic Assessment question while there were others seemingly unfamiliar with the requirements'. Bands 4-5 require at least one substantive link to the other unit of study.

All A2 Synoptic Assessment

A2 1 Themes in the Synoptic Gospels — general accounts of Gospel themes instead of focusing on the specific Gospel or text cited in the question

In 2023, candidates on Son of Man 'chose to concentrate on Son of Man overall with no reference to Mark's Gospel which limited progression up the bands'. In 2025, some 'got Luke's account confused with that of Matthew and Mark'. Examiners consistently noted that responses were strong on general knowledge but failed to address the specific Gospel or narrative specified.

A2 1

AS 8 / A2 8 Philosophy of Religion — recounting full arguments when the question targets only a specific aspect (challenges, predicate claim, etc.)

In 2024 and 2025, examiners noted candidates spending excessive time recounting the Cosmological or Ontological argument when the question only asked about challenges or a specific claim. This 'inevitably meant that candidates had less time available to tackle the central focus'. In 2023, candidates 'simply conflated theistic and atheistic views' on the problem of evil instead of distinguishing them.

AS 8, A2 8

AS 2 Introduction to Acts of the Apostles — misreading questions and providing prepared answers on a different aspect of Acts

In 2024, 'a significant number of candidates misread this question and understood it to be asking about Luke's authorship of Acts.' In 2025, 'a substantial number of candidates veered into extended accounts of Paul's prison escape, often misidentifying key details'. Answers that address a different question from the one set cannot access higher bands regardless of their quality.

AS 2

AS 1 Introduction to the Gospel of Luke — including AO2 OAHE examples in Section A AO1 answers

In 2023 it was 'conspicuous that some candidates also included other aspects of human experience examples in AO2, Section A answers'. This material is not required in Section A and does not gain marks there. Section A Part (b) is a standard AO2 critical assessment task — OAHE is only required in Section B.

AS 1

AS 6 Introduction to Islam — AO2 tasks dominated by knowledge display rather than critical argument

In 2023, 'a considerable amount of knowledge and understanding was offered rather than evaluation. In some cases, there was no attempt at a counterargument'. In 2024, answers 'tended to be demonstrating knowledge more than analysis and evaluation'. In 2025, 'some seemed to find it challenging to offer a balanced debate'. Candidates who know Islam well but cannot transform that knowledge into critical argument are capped at Band 3.

AS 6