2023 AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES A 8062/2A Paper 2A Thematic Studies
Mark scheme June 2023 [VERIFIED]
GCSE
RELIGIOUS
STUDIES A 8062/2A
Paper 2A Thematic Studies
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236G8062/2A/MS*
MARK SCHEME – RELIGIOUS STUDIES A – 8062/2A – JUNE 2023
,Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject examiners. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all examiners participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As
preparation for standardisation each examiner analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed
and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future
mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles
of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular
examination paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
, MARK SCHEME – RELIGIOUS STUDIES A – 8062/2A – JUNE 2023
Mark Schemes for GCSE Religious Studies
This paper requires expert markers who have wide knowledge and understanding of the particular
subject content of the Specification. With the exception of the multiple -choice question, many of the
questions asked have many different creditable answers and students are able to bring to their
answers their own knowledge, understanding and background. They will offer details, arguments and
evidence which the examiner, with the help of the mark scheme, will need to judge as creditable or
not. It is therefore important that the examiner has a good understanding of the principles and spirit of
the mark scheme in order to be fair and consistent when marking students’ answers. The Content
included is designed to be as helpful as possible but in many cases is not exhaustive. So Content
sections are introduced by the sentence:
Students may include some of the following points, but all other relevant points must be credited:
this is to remind examiners that there may well be additional correct answers which, with their
expertise, they will be able to allow. With all questions if an examiner has any doubt about answers
being credit worthy they should consult their team leader.
Structure
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• The question; Each question is printed in full before its target and mark scheme. It is always
important that examiners remind themselves of the exact question being asked. In particular, they
will need to do this in instances where the answer appears to be ‘straying’ from the question set or
perhaps offers a valid alternative not included in the mark scheme
• Target; The target provides the specific assessment objective which the question is testing. It reminds
examiners of the skills the question is designed to test, eg knowledge and understanding, evaluation
• The total marks available for the question and if Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar is assessed
• The typical answer(s) or content which are expected
• Generic instructions related to the question target of how to award marks (i.e. levels of response grid).
Themes papers guidance (Specification A & Short Course)
In questions where students may choose religions from which to illustrate their answer, there may be
some general Content, ie credible comments which students will make which could be applied to any
religion or perhaps to a secular viewpoint as well. Where these are appropriate they are usually given
first. The Mark Scheme will also include, under separate headings, Content sections for each of the six
religions allowed within the Specifications.
General Guidance
.../.. means that these are acceptable alternative answers in the mark scheme, eg Guru Har Krishan
/ Guru Tegh Bahadur / Guru Gobind Singh.
Answers may include specialist terms, in Hebrew or Arabic for example. If this is the case, the mark
scheme will usually indicate this by providing in brackets the English as well, eg ‘Yom Kippur (the Day
of Atonement)’. In such questions, answers will be credited whether provided in the original language
or in English.
Some mark schemes use bullet points to separate content. Each bullet point refers to a different
possible ‘belief’ or ‘teaching’ or ‘way’, depending on the question. Obliques (.../..) used within the bullet
point indicate different ways in which the point may be expressed and points which may be made to give
the further detail or development needed for the second mark.
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, MARK SCHEME – RELIGIOUS STUDIES A – 8062/2A – JUNE 2023
Where a student has crossed out a complete answer, it should be marked if it remains legible, unless
an alternative is provided in which case only the alternative should be marked. When part of an
answer is crossed out, then only what remains should be considered.
In questions where credit can be given to the development of a point, those developments can take
the form of:
• Example or evidence
• Reference to different views
• Detailed information.
1 mark multiple choice questions
Such questions have four alternatives and the one correct answer will be given together with
the correct letter, eg ‘Answer: D Trinity’.
2 mark short answer questions
The principle here is provided in the mark scheme: ‘One mark for each of two correct points.’
Students may give more than the two answers required by the question. In such instances,
• Award for the first two answers only, wherever they appear.
• If a student gives more than one answer on the first line and another answer / other answers on the
second line, the ‘first two answers’ will be the first two on the first line and only these two should be
considered for marks. Other answers must be ignored.
• If on the first line the first two answers given are correct, award two marks, regardless of
what is written elsewhere in the answer.
• If the first two answers can only be awarded one mark yet there is a third answer that is
correct, this correct third answer must be ignored and no mark given for it.
• However, if the student gives some elaboration after the first answer, which is clearly
developing their first answer, (which they are not required to do), do not consider this elaboration
to be their second answer (unless the elaboration happens to contain a second correct answer to
the question asked), regardless of whether there are other answers provided. In this case, the
second answer also, if correct, may be credited for the second mark
4 and 5 mark answer questions
Examiners should take care to note the target of the question. Clear information is provided for
these types of question on how to award marking points. Examiners should carefully read the
additional instructions provided for each type of question (eg for influence questions the final
sentence in the general guidance box reminds the examiner that the second mark (detailed
explanation) awarded in each case must show clear ‘influence’).
Mark the 5 mark questions the same as the four mark questions plus the extra mark if a source
of authority is given.
• Just a quote on its own without its source isn’t acceptable for the 5th mark. Just saying ‘God
says’ is too vague unless there they were referring to a specific incident where according to
sacred writings God did speak.
• Just saying in Hindu teaching isn’t sufficient; they need to refer to something like the Vedas.
The same principle applies to all religions.
• Key religious teachers are acceptable e.g. Jesus said for Christianity and Muhammad said for
Islam is acceptable. Recognizable religious leaders like the Dalai Lama, the Pope, Martin
Luther King are also acceptable but not just my priest or vicar at my local church.
• Specific major teachings within a religion are acceptable as a source such as the Ten
Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, the Creeds or a Parable like the Parable of the
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