Exam Walk-Through

A level Religious Studies

Component 3 : Religion and Ethics
A120U30-1

Please left click on your mouse or press the right arrow on your
keyboard to continue.
 What do I need before we begin?

Equipment we need before we begin:

• A printed copy of the Eduqas A level

Component 3: Religion and Ethics 201
9 exam paper
• An answer booklet / lined paper
• A black ink ball-point pen
• Three different coloured highlighters –
Yellow, Pink and Blue
 What is the format of each exam paper?

We have chosen to refer to Component 3: Religion and Ethics in this presentation, but the
exam paper for every Component (including Components 1 and 2) tests the following skills:

knowledge and understanding of religion and belief – AO1 Part (a) questions 20
marks each in this paper

analysis and evaluation, with regards to aspects of and approaches to religion and
belief - AO2 Part (b) questions 30 marks each in this paper

A whole question on the paper is made up of a part (a) and part (b) = 50 marks. Each exam
paper is worth 100 marks.

The paper is made up of 2 sections:

In Section A – you need to answer 1 question from a choice of 2

In Section B - you need to answer 1 question from a choice of 3

The exam lasts 2 hours

 Step 1: What should I do first?

Carefully read the front cover of the exam paper.

All three Components have the same set of instructions.
 Step 1: What should I do first?

Carefully read the front cover of the exam paper.

All three Components have the same set of instructions.
 Step 2 - Reading and selecting the questions
i. Put your name and candidate details on your answer booklet/lined paper.

Please note the timings given in this presentation (such as the one below) are just merely
suggestions. Candidates should use whichever timings allow them to best demonstrate their
ability.

ii. Spend 2 mins reading both questions in Section A carefully and slowly.
iii. Read both the (a) and (b) parts of each question.
iv. Select the question in Section A which you think you can best demonstrate your ability –
which question are you most confident about answering ? Place a tick next to the question
you are going to attempt. Write the question number on the front of the answer booklet.
 Step 2 - Reading and selecting the questions
v. Spend 3 mins reading all 3 questions in Section B carefully and slowly. Don’t just assume that
because you feel you can do OK on Question 3 it is the best question for you to do. Read all 3
questions as you might find Question 5 is the one you feel more confident in answering. It is only
natural for students to have a preference for some topics, we all enjoy some topics more than
others for various reasons. Read both the (a) and (b) parts of each question.

vi. Place a tick next to the question you are going to attempt. Write the question number on the front
of the answer booklet.
 Understanding the part (a) AO1 questions

We are now going to begin by looking at Question 2(a), before we do, it is

important to remember that:

Part (a) of each question tests your knowledge and understanding of religion and
belief.

You do need to select carefully the information you have learnt to address the
question given and not just write all you know about a particular topic.
 Step 3: Understanding part (a) AO1 questions - Question 2(a)

We are now going to look at Question 2(a) again so that we know how we can
carefully plan out a response:

On your copy of the 2019 exam paper please carefully do the following:

i. highlight the ‘command’ or ‘trigger word’ in the question in Yellow

ii. highlight the main topic area in Pink
iii. highlight any other important information in Blue

Once you have completed this task then please click on your mouse to move on
and check your answer.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
Why does the command or trigger word used in the question matter?

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

There are only four different command words used at A level, but it is important you
understand the importance of each command word so you can tailor your response
appropriately:

Command What does this command word require me to do ?

Word (see page 11 of the Guidance for Teaching document for the
full definition)
Explain Write a systematic and comprehensive account of a topic –
breadth is required here.
Examine Portray and account for different facets of, or angles on, a
complex practice, concept or belief – depth is required here.
Compare Explain the similarities and differences between ideas or
scholarly views
Apply How an ethical theory might be put to use to try and solve an
ethical problem.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
Apart from the command word what else does the rest of the question tell me?

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

This pink highlighted section helps you identify the topic area within the Specification so
you now know exactly what you need to focus on. During the exam try to picture the
Specification and carefully select the information you need to answer the question:

Specification Content:
Virtue Theory:

Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the
focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral virtues
(based on the deficiency; the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on virtues (the
Beatitudes).

Challenges: virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour; issue of cultural
relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for immoral
acts.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
Apart from the command word what else does the rest of the question tell me?

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

This blue highlighted section provide us with a further steer for our response –
Aristotle was a major proponent of Virtue Theory in his work on Virtue Ethics, so you
should refer specifically to his work in your response.

Specification Content:

Virtue Theory:
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the
focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral
virtues (based on the deficiency; the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on virtues
(the Beatitudes).

Challenges: virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour; issue of cultural
relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for
immoral acts.

.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
Apart from the command word what else does the rest of the question tell me?

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

Specification Content:
“Virtue Theory:
Ethical system based on defining the personal qualities that make a person moral; the
focus on a person’s character rather than their specific actions; Aristotle’s moral
virtues (based on the deficiency; the excess and the mean); Jesus’ teachings on virtues
(the Beatitudes).

Challenges: virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour; issue of cultural
relativism (ideas on the good virtues are not universal); virtues can be used for
immoral acts.”

Although the white section from the Specification above is not specifically required
“Jesus’ teachings on virtues (the Beatitudes)” it would be credited if referred to as it is
still relevant, as Jesus appeared to regard personal character traits as being important.
However one of the main skills in answering AO1 questions is knowing what to leave
out of your response.

The red section clearly does not address the question and so would not be credited if
referred to in an exam.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
So what does the question really mean?
02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]
Write a Virtue theory – Make sure that you refer to Aristotle’s
comprehensive include key phrases ideas e.g. deficiency/excess of mean, etc.
account with such as ‘virtue’,
breadth of person-based
theory, focussing
on character, etc.
 Step 3: Understanding Question 2(a)
Before I begin my plan for part (a) what else do I need to think about?

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

How much time should I be spending on each part (a) question ?

The exam is 120 mins and if we have spent 5 mins carefully selecting questions
from Section A and Section B.

Therefore, we have 115mins left to answer 2 x Question (a)s worth 40% of the
marks.

So we should be spending 0.4 x 115 mins = 46 mins to complete 2 x (a)

questions.

This work out at 23 mins per (a) question (which includes planning time)
So if we spend :
3 mins writing a brief plan then we have
20 mins to write the essay
 Step 4: Complete a brief plan for Q2 (a)

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

We are now ready to start using your answer booklet or lined paper.

For the next 3 mins – make a bullet list plan either in your answer booklet or on your lined
A4 paper for your essay in response to the topic above.

Click on your mouse to start the timer.

 Step 4: Complete a brief plan for Q2 (a)

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

For the next 3 mins – make a bullet list plan either in your answer booklet or on your lined
A4 paper for your essay in response to the topic above.
 Step 5: Writing your essay for Q2 (a)

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

Now that you have completed your brief plan for this question you need to use the plan to
write your essay. Remember if you want to achieve the higher bands then you need to:

• Keep your response relevant.

Use:
 paragraphs and connectives
 evidence and examples
 sacred texts/sources of wisdom and authority (where appropriate)
 scholarly views
 specialist language and vocabulary
 make connections between other areas you have studied (where appropriate).

Click on your mouse when you are ready to begin writing.

 Step 5: Writing your essay for Q2 (a)

Step 5: Writing your essay for Q2 (a)

For the next 20 mins – using your bullet list plan either in your answer booklet or on your
lined A4 paper write your essay in response to the topic above.
 Step 6: Checking your essay for Q2 (a)

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

Now that you have completed your essay you may wish to:

1) Ask your teacher to assess it for you using the marking Bands available here.

2) Compare your response with the information given in the Examiners’ Report below
about what were the common features of a good answer:

Features of stronger responses:

 clearly focused on Aristotle, even if and where they included ideas on Virtue Theory
from elsewhere.
 appreciated the focus of this theory upon the character of the moral agent rather than
the working out of moral actions e.g. ‘hexis’ and the typical personal characteristics of
the competent, etc.
 provided clear and accurate understanding and exemplification of the virtues and how
they lead to a flourishing life for both the individual and society.
 discussed features of the ‘mean’ in detail, with examples of excess and deficiency as well
as differentiating between intellectual and moral virtues.
 Step 6: Checking your essay for Q2 (a)

02 a. Explain Virtue Theory with reference to Aristotle. [20]

3) Click here to access an Online Exam Review (OER) which contains a marked
example of Q2(a). Once the document opens, right click on the screen, click on
“save as” and save it to your desktop. Then open the document using Adobe Acrobat or
similar software.

 In the OER document you can access the mark scheme. Remember you don’t
need to have covered everything in the mark scheme to get full marks. It is also
important to note that any relevant response would be credited even if the
information is not given in the mark scheme. A mark scheme does not contain an
exhaustive list of all the valid responses, just some possible responses.
 You can also click on the arrow next to the “ribbon” sign on Example 1 (the far left of
the screen) to find and open the marked example.

Using resources 2 and 3 to guide you is there anything you left out that you could add to
your essay to improve it?

4) Click here to access our REconnect magazine Issue 4, which contains several
articles which may help you develop your AO1 skills.
 Step 7 : Understanding part (b) AO2 questions - Q2 (b)

We are now going to look at Question 2(b), before we do remember that as stated at the top
of page 2 of every Component’s exam paper:

Part (b) of each question tests your AO2 skills of analysis and evaluation, with regards to
aspects of and approaches to religion and belief.

Look at Question 2(b) on the 2019 exam paper again and dissect it, so that we know how we
can carefully plan out a response:

On your copy of the 2019 exam paper carefully do the following:

i. highlight the ‘command’ or ‘trigger word’ in the question in Yellow
ii. highlight the main topic area in Pink
iii. highlight any other important information in Blue

Once you have completed this task then please click on your mouse to check your answer.
 Step 7 : Understanding part (b) AO2 questions - Q2 (b)

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]

The command word reminds us we need to provide AO2 information here not
AO1.

This command word means:

“Using evaluative skills to make a reasoned judgement (including an appropriate

conclusion), whilst having critically considered a variety of arguments/ideas.”

It is important therefore to provide:

• reasoned arguments – not just assertions (simple statements without any

supporting reasoning and/or evidence).
• a reasoned judgement (a conclusion)
 Step 7 : Understanding part (b) AO2 questions - Q2 (b)

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]

This pink highlighted section helps you identify the topic area within the Specification so
you now know exactly what you need to focus on.

The blue highlighted section is identifying the main issue for analysis and evaluation here –
Virtue Ethics is concerned with developing a person’s character and certain character traits,
but does this mean it provides sufficient or in fact any guidance when making actual moral
decisions? Does this matter at all or is it better to focus on developing as a person?
 Step 7 : Understanding Q2 (b) –
Before I begin my plan for part (b) what else do I need to think about?

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]
How much time should I be spending on each part (b) question?

The exam is 120 mins and if we have spent 5 mins carefully selecting questions
from Section A and Section B.

Therefore, that leaves us 115mins left to answer 2 x Question (b)s worth 60% of
the marks.

So we should be spending 0.6 x 115 mins = 69 mins to complete 2 x (b)

questions.

This works out at 34.5 mins per (b) question (which includes planning time)
So if we spend :
4 ½ mins writing a brief plan that leaves us with
30 mins to write the essay.
 Step 8: Complete a brief plan for Q2 (b)

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]
Remember it is the quality of your analysis and evaluation that matters here not the
numbers of issues or assertions you make.

1. Carefully outline the arguments you are going to focus on in your plan.

2. Also think about your reasoned conclusion. Are you going to:
- start with your conclusion and justify it as you go throughout your response?
- give intermediate conclusions throughout and a summary conclusion at the end?
- give a more ‘traditional’ full conclusion at the end?

Click on your mouse when you are ready to begin writing your plan to Q2 (b)
 Step 8: Complete a brief plan for Q2 (b)

2.( b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’
Evaluate this view.
[30]
For the next 4 ½ mins – make a bullet list plan either in your answer booklet or on your
lined A4 paper for your essay in response to the issue above.

Click on your mouse to start the timer below:

 Step 9: Writing your essay for Q2 (b)

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]for this question, we are now ready to start
Now that you have completed your brief plan
writing the essay response. Remember if you want to achieve the higher bands then you need
to:

• Keep your response relevant, make sure that you are analysing and evaluating, not just
giving AO1 information.

Use:
 paragraphs and connectives
 reasoning and/or evidence to support your arguments
 sacred texts/sources of wisdom and authority (where appropriate)
 scholarly views
 specialist language and vocabulary
 make connections between other areas you have studied (where appropriate)

You will have 30 mins to write your response using your plan as a guide.
Please leave at least 2 lines of space between part (a) and part (b) of your responses.

Click on your mouse to start the timer.

 Step 9: Writing your essay for Q2 (b)

b) ‘Virtue Theory offers little guidance when making moral decisions.’

Evaluate this view.
[30]
For the next 30 mins – using your bullet list plan either in your answer booklet or your
lined A4 paper write your essay in response to the issue above.
 Step 10: Checking your essay for Q2 (b)

Now that you have completed your essay, you may wish to:

1) Ask your teacher to assess it for you using the marking Bands available here.

2) Compare your response with the information given in the Examiners’ Report about
what were the common features of a good response:

Features of stronger responses:

• challenged the meaningfulness or relevance of the question or considered

whether it mattered.
• understood the nature of Virtue Theory as not in the business of offering specific
guidance or rules.
• could weigh against other ethical theories and how they guide ethical decision
making.
• offered extensive scholarly support for their arguments from across the papers
and critiqued these views in the light of the question.
• may have recognised that it could be a positive thing that Virtue Theory offers
little guidance.
 Step 10: Checking your essay for Q2 (b)

3) Click here to access an Online Exam Review which contains a marked example of
Q2(b). Once the document opens, right click on the screen, click on “save as” and
save it to your desktop. Then open the document using Adobe Acrobat or similar
software.
 In this document you can access the mark scheme. Remember you don’t need
to have covered everything in the mark scheme to get full marks. It is also important to
note that any relevant response would be credited even if the information is not
given in the mark scheme. A mark scheme does not contain an exhaustive list of all the
valid responses, just some possible responses.
 You can also click on the arrow next to the “ribbon” sign on Example 1 (the far
left of the screen) to find and open the marked example.

Using resources 2 and 3 to guide you is there anything you left out that you could add to
your essay to improve it?

4) Further guidance on developing your AO2 skills can be found here.

 Completing Section B

• When completing your Section B question remember to use the same

processes you used in Section A – see slides 8-29

• A copy of the Examiners’ Report including feedback on Q3 can be found here.

• A copy of the Mark Scheme for Q3 can be found here.
• An Online Exam Review marked example of Question 3 can be found here.

• Remember the suggested timings for attempting each question would be as

follows:
Part (a) questions AO1 Part (b) questions AO2

Approximate timings: Approximate timings:

3 mins planning 4½ mins planning
20 mins writing 30 mins writing
 Top 5 Tips for A level R.S.

1. Write your name, Candidate Number and Centre number on every answer booklet
2. Spend 5 minutes carefully reading through all the questions on the paper and selecting
one question from each section.
- Write the numbers of the questions selected on the front of your answer booklet.
- When writing a new response always leave at least 2 lines of space between your
new response and your last response (for scanning purposes).

3. When reading each question use your 3 highlighters to box

Command words
Topic areas
Other important information
 Top 5 Tips for A level R.S.
4. Part (a) questions AO1 5. Part (b) questions AO2

Focus is on knowledge and understanding of Focus is on testing your skills of analysis and evaluation, with regards
religion and belief. to aspects of and approaches to religion and belief.

Remember to: Remember to provide:

• keep your AO1 response relevant. • carefully selected AO2 arguments to address the given issue, and
Use: make sure that you are analysing and evaluating your arguments.
 paragraphs and connectives Do not just make assertions (simple statements without any
 evidence and examples supporting reasoning and/or evidence).
 sacred texts/sources of wisdom and • a reasoned judgement (a conclusion) – decide in your plan where
authority (where appropriate) this conclusion will be going.
 scholarly views Use:
 specialist language and vocabulary • paragraphs and connectives
 make connections between other areas • reasoning and/or evidence to support your arguments
you have studied (where appropriate) • sacred texts/sources of wisdom and authority (where appropriate)
• scholarly views
• specialist language and vocabulary. make connections between
other areas you have studied (where appropriate).

Approximate timings: Approximate timings:

3 mins planning 4½ mins planning
20 mins writing 30 mins writing
Any Questions?
Do you have any
further questions
about the format of
the exam?
If so, then contact
your teacher.