AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam (from 2026 exam) revision guide – About Oxford Revise
With our guide, you’ll revise the full specification for the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam (from 2026) exam.
Through this thematic study, you’ll explore key topics from the perspectives of both religions. More specifically, you’ll cover all the essential beliefs and practices — from sin and salvation in Christianity to the Five Pillars of Islam. To help organise your learning, these topics are structured using ‘Knowledge Organisers’, which break down the content into manageable, easy-to-revise sections.
To support your learning, the guide is structured so you actively apply your knowledge and regularly test your understanding. In addition, key quotes, charts, and tables are included to help you remember important information. What’s more, an online glossary is available to help you learn and recall key terms with ease.
How Oxford Revise prepares for your Religious Studies exams
Oxford Revise fully prepares you for your exams. It guides you through what to revise and how to do it, so you can build confidence and stay on track.
To begin with, you’ll expand your understanding of key concepts through clear explanations and structured content. Then, you’ll check your learning using retrieval questions designed to strengthen memory and boost recall.
In addition, you’ll get plenty of exam practice with targeted questions and model answers. Each step is carefully designed to reinforce your knowledge, support your progress, and help you succeed in your Religious Studies exam.
Revise effectively for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam (from 2026 exam)
This guide dives into every topic in the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam course, using clear, easy-to-understand language. Throughout each chapter, you’ll find key terms boxes that highlight essential vocabulary and help you use it with confidence. At the same time, revision tips offer quick, effective ways to grasp core concepts and practise recalling them. Together, these features make your revision more focused, active, and successful.
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam exam practice
Each chapter includes plenty of exam-style questions for you to practise. These are carefully designed to build your confidence, consolidate your knowledge, and stretch your understanding. In addition to the questions, you’ll find helpful tips throughout the guide. For example:
- Exam tips show you how to interpret questions, explain what you need to include in your answers, and offer advice on how to gain as many marks as possible.
Altogether, these features work together to support your revision and boost your exam success.
Want to boost revision success for your AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity and Islam exam?
Start revising for your AQA GCSE Religious Studies exams – because by building your understanding step by step, consolidating key knowledge, and strengthening retrieval through regular practice, you’ll feel more prepared and confident every day. Here are some additional resources that can support you:
- Discover how to revise effectively for your Religious Studies A exam.
- Explore revision tips and techniques on the Oxford Revise YouTube Channel.
Contents list
Section 1: Christianity
Christian Beliefs and Teachings
- The nature of God and beliefs about creation
- Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife
- The incantation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus
- Sin and salvation
Christian Practices
- Worship and prayer
- The role and meaning of the sacraments
- The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations
- The Church in the community, and mission, evangelism, and growth
- The importance of the worldwide Church
Section 2: Islam
Islamic Beliefs and Teachings
- The six articles of faith and five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam
- Tawhid, the nature of God, and angels
- Predestination and Akhirah
- Risalah and holy books
Islamic Practices
- The Imamate in Shi’a Islam
- The five pillars of Sunni Islam, the ten obligatory acts of Shi’a Islam, and
the Shahadah - Salah and its significance
- Sawm and Zakah
- Hajj and Jihad
- Festivals and commemorations
Section 3: Religious, philosophical and ethical studies
A: Relationships and families
- Sex
- Marriage and divorce
- Families
- Gender equality
B: Religion and life
- The origins of the universe and human life
- The value of the universe
- Abortion and euthanasia
- Death and the afterlife
C: The existence of God and revelation
- Arguments for the existence of God
- Arguments against the existence of God
- The nature of the divine and revelation
- Ideas about the divine and the value of revelation and enlightenment
D: Religion, peace and conflict
- Peace, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation
- War
- Religion and belief in 21st century conflict
- Nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction
E: Religion, crime and punishment
- Good and evil intentions and actions
- Reasons for crime
- The aims of punishment and the treatment of criminals
- The death penalty
F: Religion, human rights and social justice
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Social justice, racial prejudice, and discrimination
- Wealth and exploitation of people living in poverty
- People in poverty helping themselves, and charity
The Oxford Revise approach
Oxford Revise uses a clear three-step method to get you ready for your exams.
1. Knowledge – Learn the facts through an easy-to-follow ‘Knowledge Organiser’ in each chapter.
2. Retrieval – Check you’ve retained the exam knowledge, through quick-fire recall questions and answers.
3. Practice – Put your knowledge into practice by completing plenty of exam-style questions.
In addition, there are lots of hints and tips from revision and subject experts on how to plan your revision and helpful advice on techniques to build exam confidence.
Our expert authors
Author and Series editor: Dawn Cox
Dawn Cox
Series Editor for Oxford Revise, Dawn is an experienced teacher and leader at secondary level. In addition to her classroom expertise, she holds a Master’s degree in Innovation and Leadership in Education and is a Chartered Teacher with the Chartered College of Teaching. Throughout her career, she has taken on a variety of leadership roles, including serving on senior leadership teams, and working as an AST, Lead Practitioner, and SLE. Currently, she is Head of Religious Education, where she continues to apply her deep knowledge and leadership skills. Altogether, Dawn brings a wealth of experience and insight to her editorial work.
Customer Reviews
Praise for Oxford Revise
Really good revision book that is well laid-out, has concise summaries of each topic and a good range of practice questions. It seems to cover the entire syllabus, which is always important! Useful.
Amazon review for a different book from the series
Absolute game changer!
Science Teacher, UK
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