Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Prepare for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) with past papers and official mark schemes for Paper 1: Beliefs and Values and Paper 2: The Religious Community, organised by exam series and year. Practise applying religious teachings, explaining beliefs and evaluating different viewpoints across Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. You can also jump to our examiner tips to improve your exam technique or read the frequently asked questions for clear guidance on the qualification.
2025 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2025 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2A – Buddhism (4RS1/2A) | ||
Paper 2B – Christianity (4RS1/2B) | ||
Paper 2C – Hinduism (4RS1/2C) | ||
Paper 2D – Islam (4RS1/2D) | ||
Paper 2E – Judaism (4RS1/2E) | ||
Paper 2F – Sikhism (4RS1/2F) |
2024 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2024 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2A – Buddhism (4RS1/2A) | ||
Paper 2B – Christianity (4RS1/2B) | ||
Paper 2C – Hinduism (4RS1/2C) | ||
Paper 2D – Islam (4RS1/2D) | ||
Paper 2E – Judaism (4RS1/2E) | ||
Paper 2F – Sikhism (4RS1/2F) |
2023 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2023 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2 (4RS1/02) |
2022 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2022 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2 (4RS1/02) |
2021 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2021 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2 (4RS1/02) |
2020 Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies (4RS1) Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2020 Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies | Downloads | |
Paper 1 (4RS1/01) | ||
Paper 2 (4RS1/02) |
Six Examiner Tips for Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies
1. Develop Every Point Instead of Writing Simple Lists
A common mistake is giving several brief, undeveloped statements. In short-answer questions, this can prevent students from gaining all the available marks. In 6-mark questions, listing multiple basic points usually keeps an answer in the lower mark levels.
For short-answer questions, make the required point and add a brief explanation, example or piece of relevant context. For 6-mark questions, present two distinct points and develop each one fully. Explain why the belief or practice is important, how it affects believers and what religious teaching supports it.
2. Follow the Exact Command Word and Question Focus
Students frequently provide features when the question asks for reasons, or reasons when it asks for ways. Others answer from a religious perspective when the question asks for a non-religious view.
Underline the command word and the key subject before answering. If the question asks for two features, identify and describe two features. If it asks for reasons, explain why something happens or matters. Check whether the question requires a religious, non-religious or contrasting perspective, and answer from the correct viewpoint.
3. Explain the Religious Meaning Behind Practices and Features
Students often describe a ritual, pilgrimage or place of worship without explaining its religious significance. Describing what happens is not always enough to reach the higher marks.
After every description, explain why it matters. Link the practice or feature to an important belief, teaching or spiritual purpose. For example, explain how a ritual expresses devotion, strengthens the religious community, welcomes the divine presence or helps believers progress towards salvation or liberation.
4. Evaluate Viewpoints Instead of Placing Them Side by Side
In Paper 2 10-mark questions and Paper 1 12-mark questions, students often present one argument followed by an opposing argument without comparing or evaluating them. This produces a list of viewpoints rather than a reasoned discussion.
Consider at least two distinct points of view and develop each with religious teachings or other relevant evidence. Evaluate the arguments by considering their scriptural support, practical consequences and importance for believers. Explain why one argument may be more convincing than another, rather than repeatedly labelling arguments as “strong” or “weak”.
5. Use Precise Religious Knowledge and Terminology
Vague statements such as “religion teaches people to be good” do not demonstrate detailed knowledge. Students also lose marks by confusing terms such as multi-ethnic and multi-faith, remarriage and divorce, or resurrection and atonement.
Revise every named term, text, practice, person and place in the specification. Use accurate terminology and specific sources of authority wherever relevant. Short quotations, named teachings and precise examples are more effective than general statements, but they must always be explained and connected to the question.
6. Stay Focused and Manage Examination Time Carefully
Some students spend too long on low-mark questions or include information that the question does not require. Examples include giving counterarguments in a 6-mark explanation question or discussing another religion unnecessarily in Paper 2.
Keep short-answer responses concise and directly relevant. Do not include an opposing viewpoint unless the question requires one. In Paper 2, remain focused on the religion being examined. Save sufficient time for the 10-mark and 12-mark questions, where developed reasoning, comparison, evaluation and a justified conclusion are essential.
Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies 2027 FAQs
1. What is the Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies course code?
The qualification code is 4RS1. Students take two written examination papers:
Paper 1: Beliefs and Values — 4RS1/01
Paper 2: The Religious Community — 4RS1/02
Both papers are externally marked by Pearson Edexcel. Students should confirm their chosen religion and examination entry details with their school.
2. What is the Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies exam structure for 2027?
The qualification consists of two written examinations:
Paper 1: Beliefs and Values lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, carries 100 marks and contributes 60% of the qualification.
Paper 2: The Religious Community lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, carries 60 marks and contributes 40% of the qualification.
The qualification is linear, so both papers are taken at the end of the course.
3. What topics are assessed in Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies Paper 1?
Paper 1 covers four areas:
The Universe, Creation and the Place of Human Beings
Life and Death
Peace and Conflict
Rights, Equality and Social Justice
Students answer questions using knowledge of their chosen religion while also considering differing religious and non-religious viewpoints where required.
4. What topics are assessed in Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies Paper 2?
Paper 2 focuses on the beliefs, history and practices of a religious community. It covers:
Origins and Their Impact on the Community
Celebration and Pilgrimage
Worship and Practice
Students need detailed knowledge of religious texts, sources of authority, founders or leaders, festivals, pilgrimage, places of worship and forms of religious practice.
5. Which religions can be studied for Edexcel International GCSE Religious Studies?
The specification allows questions to be answered from the viewpoint and context of at least one of six religions:
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Sikhism
Students should revise the religion selected and taught by their school rather than trying to learn every religious option.
7. Do students need to memorise religious quotations?
Students should learn a manageable collection of short, accurate quotations or references to religious teachings. A quotation only earns value when it is relevant and explained.
A short, accurate teaching that is properly applied is more useful than a long quotation that is not explained.
