Grade 7 RSGCSE Notes

Getting a Grade 7 in Religious Studies GCSE

Key Steps for Grade 7

• Know definitions of key terms from the specification.
• Understand and apply the Point, Evidence, Explanation (PEE) structure.
• Utilize quick wins for different units.
• Understand the 12-marker structure (Introduction, multiple PEEs, Conclusion).
• Answer every question on the exam.

Grade Breakdown

• Aim for a near-perfect score in all AO1 questions (1, 2, 4, and 5 markers).
• Target 8 out of 12 on the 12-mark question.

Importance of Key Terms

• Key terms define the scope of the question.
• Definitions are used in the explanation part of the PEE structure.
• Example: Define "omnipotence" as "all-powerful" or "ability to do anything."

PEE Structure Rules

• Point: Must show religious knowledge and be religiously justified.
• Themes paper: Give one point from Christianity, one from another religion (except God & Revelation).
• Non-religious views: Scholarly justified, name scholars (David Hume, Richard Dawkins).
• Evidence: State the source of the evidence (e.g., "In the Bible…"). Use quotation marks.
• Explanation:
  • Link the point and evidence together.
  • Show an understanding of the keyword from the question by defining it.

Quick Wins: Christian Beliefs (4-mark Influence Questions)

• Points:
  • Be Christ-like.
  • Go to church.
• Evidence:
  • $Nothing is impossible for God$
  • $Those who believe in me shall not perish but have eternal life$
  • Parable of the sheep and the goats.
  • $Faith without action is dead.$

Quick Wins: Christian Beliefs (5-mark Why Important Questions)

• Points:
  • Shows the omnipotence of God.
  • Helps people to believe that Jesus is God.
• Evidence: Same as 4-mark questions.

Quick Wins: Christian Practices

• If question asks "why":
  • It's a way of putting faith into action.
  • It's a way of showing commitment to God.
• Evidence: Same as Christian Beliefs, emphasize $Faith without action is dead$
• If question asks "how": Need to know the specifics of how practices are carried out.

Quick Wins: Sikh Beliefs & Practices

• Beliefs (4-mark Influence):
  • Be Garmukh.
  • Go to the Gurdwara.
• Beliefs (5-mark Why Important):
  • Help a Sikh to be Garmukh.
  • Help them break out of the Samsara cycle.
• Practices (Why):
  • Same as why beliefs are important.
• Evidence (for all):
  • $Girmukh finds perfection, selfish manmukh shall repent hereafter.$
• Practices (How): Need to know specifics.

Themes Paper

• Religion and Life, Peace and Conflict, Crime and Punishment:
  • Determine if the question is about a religiously good or bad thing.
  • Religiously Good: Christianity (Christ-like), Sikhism (Gharmic).
  • Religiously Bad: Christianity (It's a sin), Sikhism (Manmukh).
  • Christianity Evidence: $Sin is not doing what you know is right.$
  • Sikhism Evidence: $Selfish manmukh shall repent hereafter.$

God and Revelation

• Questions may not be about moral issues.
• Focus on aspects of God's nature (omnipotence, omniscience, etc.).
• Atheist views: Use David Hume and Richard Dawkins.

12-Mark Question Structure (Grade 7)

• One-sentence introduction stating opinion and reason.
• PEE structure (religiously justified points, evidence, explanation).
• Core concept: Link point to salvation/agape (Christianity) or virtues/equality/the Khalsa (Sikhism).
• Rebuttal (essential to get above 6/12).
• Aim for multiple PEEs if time allows
• Admin: Always include an rebuttal and answer every single question.