CCEA AS-Level · Analysis & Prediction

2024 CCEA AS-Level Religious Studies 4610 Past Paper: Analysis & Answers

The CCEA GCE AS Religious Studies examination suite (Units AS 1 to AS 8) maintains a rigorous, standardised essay-based structure across all modules. Each paper requires candidates to complete two 50-mark questions in 1 hour 20 minutes (one from Section A and one from Section B), each subdivided into an AO1 knowledge/understanding essay (25 marks) and an AO2 critical evaluation essay (25 marks). Section B(b) consistently tests the ability to connect core theological or ethical concepts to 'Other Aspects of Human Experience'.

Updated: 31 Aug 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.4/5

Total marks

100

Duration

80 mins

Most tested

AO2 Critical Evaluation and Application to Other Aspects of Human Experience

Paper breakdown

Unit AS 1: Gospel of Luke: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 2: Acts of the Apostles: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 3: Themes in the Old Testament: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 4: Early Christian Church to AD 325: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 5: Celtic Church in Ireland: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 6: Introduction to Islam: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 7: Foundations of Ethics & Medical Ethics: 100 marks · 80 minsUnit AS 8: Introduction to Philosophy of Religion: 100 marks · 80 mins

Top chapters

Other aspects of human experience · 50 marksDeontological & Teleological approaches / Bioethics · 50 marksGod, atheism and the problem of evil & Miracles · 50 marks

Overall Exam Verdict

The CCEA AS Level Religious Studies examination is a demanding, time-pressured, pure essay-based assessment. Across all optional units (AS 1 through AS 8), candidates face an identical, highly predictable structural format: choose one question from Section A (Q1 or Q2) and one from Section B (Q3 or Q4). With 100 marks available in 80 minutes, writing speed, precise structural discipline, and immediate focus are critical.

Where the Marks Are Won and Lost

Each selected question carries 50 marks split evenly between AO1 (25 marks) and AO2 (25 marks):

AO1 (Part A tasks): Marks are awarded for comprehensive textual, historical, and theological knowledge. High-scoring candidates avoid generic narratives, incorporating precise scriptural references, theological terminology, and scholarly perspectives (e.g. Conzelmann, Fitzmyer, Justin Martyr, Aquinas, Hick).
AO2 (Part B tasks): Evaluative essays require sustained critical analysis, robust counterarguments, and justified conclusions. In Section B, part (b) mandatorily assesses Other Aspects of Human Experience; failure to draw clear, relevant historical or contemporary parallels caps candidate performance at Band 2 (maximum 10/25).

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Pre-prepared generic essays: Candidates often regurgitate memorised essays that fail to address the specific nuance of the prompt or stimulus quote.
Neglecting human experience: In Section B(b), candidates frequently provide pure internal theology without anchoring the discussion in wider secular, societal, or contemporary case studies.
Imbalanced time management: Spending 50+ minutes on the first question leaves insufficient time to develop the four-to-five page depth required for the second 50-mark question.

Preparation & Strategic Guidance

To access Level 5 (21–25 marks) across both objectives, students must pair granular factual mastery with flexible evaluative frameworks. Structure AO1 essays around 4–5 coherent thematic paragraphs packed with primary evidence and scholarship. For AO2, maintain a balanced thesis that critically weighs opposing philosophical or ethical positions before delivering a nuanced, justified verdict.

Ready to test yourself?

Turn these notes into exam-style practice. Get unlimited AI questions on this topic with instant marking and explanations.

Practise This Topic

Charts

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

AO1 Knowledge and Understanding Extended Essay50 marks · 2 questions
AO2 Critical Analysis and Evaluation Essay50 marks · 2 questions

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

74%within easy or medium reach

easy: 24 marksmedium: 50 markshard: 26 marks

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

Other Aspects of Human Experience Case Studies & Paradigms

25 marks · Difficulty 3.2 · recurrence 100%

Core Normative Ethical / Philosophical Arguments

25 marks · Difficulty 3.4 · recurrence 95%

Primary Source Texts, Historical Exegesis & Theological Themes

25 marks · Difficulty 3.6 · recurrence 90%

Scholarly Debates & Critical Evaluations (Conzelmann, Hick, Singer, etc.)

25 marks · Difficulty 3.8 · recurrence 85%

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

marksmins

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Deontological Ethics - Kantian Ethics (Unit AS 7)90%

Natural Moral Law and Utilitarianism were paired together in Section A; Kantian Categorical Imperative is in regular cyclical rotation.

Religious Experience and Arguments for Existence (Unit AS 8)85%

Ontological and Teleological arguments were rotated out in favor of Cosmological and Evil/Miracles, making them prime candidates for upcoming series.

Pauline Missions & Council of Jerusalem (Unit AS 2)80%

The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) and Gentile inclusion continue to form core rotating AO1/AO2 topics alongside Damascus Road.

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

Topic-year heatmap

Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Jun 2022

Jun 2023

Jun 2024

Understanding & Themes in the Gospel of Luke / Acts (AS 1 & AS 2)

Foundations of Ethics / Bioethics & Philosophy (AS 7 & AS 8)

Church History / Celtic Church / Islam (AS 4, AS 5, AS 6)

Other aspects of human experience (Section B Synoptic AO2)

Core Textual / Theoretical Foundations (Section A, Part a)

Ethical / Thematic Evaluation (Section A, Part b)

Historical / Scriptural Analysis (Section B, Part a)

Other Aspects of Human Experience Evaluation (Section B, Part b)

Understanding & Key Narratives / Themes (Section A / Unit Core)

Other Aspects of Human Experience & Contextual Studies (Section B)

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Writing a descriptive narrative in AO2 questions rather than engaging in sustained critical debate with counterarguments.
Omitting explicit, developed reference to 'Other Aspects of Human Experience' in Section B part (b), which automatically caps the mark to Band 2 (maximum 10/25).
Failing to cite specific textual evidence, scholarly quotations, or primary biblical/historical references in AO1 essays.
Poor timing allocation resulting in a rushed or incomplete second 50-mark question.

Misconceptions

Believing that agreeing wholly with the stimulus statement is sufficient; full marks require exploring the antithesis and alternative perspectives.
Assuming human experience examples must only be modern secular cases; historical, multi-faith, and contemporary exemplars are equally valid.

Where marks are lost

Superficial coverage of named scholars (e.g. merely naming Conzelmann or Hick without explaining their specific theoretical frameworks).
Lack of quality written communication (QWC), including unstructured paragraphs, weak academic register, and poor theological terminology.

Estimated grade cut-off

Updated: 31 Aug 2026

Source: CCEA

Level	Mark	Percentage
A	—	80%
B	—	70%
C	—	60%
D	—	50%
E	—	40%

Official grade boundaries published by CCEA.

Know what the examiners want. Now go get those marks

thinka is an AI practice app used by 100,000+ DSE students to drill questions and get instant feedback on every answer. You already know the high-frequency topics and where marks are lost. Now practice those specifically on thinka and turn this analysis into actual marks.

Start Practising Free See pricing

Know what's tested? Drill those topics on thinka. AI questions, instant marking.

Start Practising Free