Free Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies (3RA0) Exam Questions and Answers
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies (3RA0) is Pearson Edexcel's GCSE Religious Studies qualification, specification 3RA0, taken in England. The questions here come from Pearson Edexcel's published question papers from June 2018 to June 2022, with answers and marking guidance taken from Pearson Edexcel's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Looking for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies (3RA0) exam dumps or ExamTopics questions? These practice questions cover the same ground with verified answers and explanations, a downloadable PDF and a full practice test, kept current as Pearson Edexcel updates the exam.
Last updated: October 18, 2026
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Question #1
Outline three Catholic beliefs about life after death.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Any three: people will be judged after death; the Church believes in resurrection of the body; impure souls will be cleansed in purgatory; heaven is an eternal state of being with God; hell is a place of total separation from God.
Explanation
One mark for each point identified, up to three marks. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #2
Explain two ways the Creation account can be understood.
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Correct answer: Two ways, e.g. (1) Literally: some Christians take the biblical accounts as the true account of how the universe and humans were created. (2) Symbolically: some regard it as symbolic and look to science to help understand how God made the universe. Also: some Catholics believe God created from nothing (ex nihilo), showing God's omnipotence.
Explanation
One mark for each way and one further mark for developing each way, up to four marks. Lists earn a maximum of one mark. Repeated ways or developments that do not relate to both the way and the question are rejected. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #3
Explain two reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
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Correct answer: Two reasons with a source, e.g. (1) It shows Jesus overcame death, giving assurance of eternal life (John 3:16: 'that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life'). (2) It proves Jesus was God's Son as only God can raise from the dead (Luke 24:7). (3) It allows salvation from sin, as God accepted Jesus' sacrifice (Acts 4:12).
Explanation
One mark for each reason, plus further marks for developing each reason, up to four marks. One further mark for any relevant source of wisdom or authority, giving five in total. Repeated reasons, developments not linked to both the reason and the question, and sources unrelated to the reason given are rejected. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #4
"Catholics must care for the world." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Catholic teachings • reach a justified conclusion.
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Correct answer: Evaluation with a justified conclusion. For: the world is God's creation and a gift to respect, so humans are responsible for caring for it; God made humans in his image, so caring for creation is caring for people (solidarity and justice); Genesis presents humans as stewards and co-creators, not exploiters, so care is a duty. Against: humans were given dominion, which can be read as justifying use of resources; environmental abuse is a result of human sinfulness and disobedience; individuals have free will and are accountable to God, so should not be forced to be stewards, and caring for others matters more.
Explanation
15 marks: 12 for AO2 and 3 for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Responses must be underpinned by accurate knowledge of religion and belief. Without different viewpoints within the religious tradition, a response cannot score above Level 2. Level 1 (1–3): superficial connections, generic arguments, unjustified conclusion. Level 2 (4–6): superficial connections among many elements, limited understanding, conclusion not fully justified. Level 3 (7–9): coherent reasoning considering different viewpoints, accurate understanding, partially justified conclusion. Level 4 (10–12): critical deconstruction, sustained and thorough understanding, full range of elements, fully justified conclusion. Spelling, punctuation and grammar: 1 mark threshold (reasonable accuracy, limited specialist terms), 2 marks intermediate (considerable accuracy, good range of terms), 3 marks high (consistent accuracy, wide range of terms). Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #5
Outline three purposes of a pilgrimage.
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Correct answer: Any three purposes, e.g. a public declaration of faith; to feel closer to God; to visit places where Jesus lived and taught; to seek healing from an illness; to renew and strengthen faith.
Explanation
One mark for each point identified, up to a maximum of three. Lists earn a maximum of one mark. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #6
Explain two ways that Catholics can evangelise.
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Correct answer: Two ways Catholics can evangelise, each developed. E.g. (1) in their chosen career, the job they do can show love and compassion to others; (2) through charitable actions that help others, either physical work or speaking out for the oppressed; (3) through the sacrament of marriage and family life, raising a Catholic family and living out the Gospel by loving each other.
Explanation
One mark for giving a way and a second mark for developing it, up to a maximum of four. Repeating the same way, or development that does not relate to both the way and the question, gains no credit. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #7
Explain two reasons why CAFOD carries out its work. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.
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Correct answer: Two reasons CAFOD carries out its work, plus a source of wisdom or authority. E.g. (1) all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and the world's resources are a gift to be shared equally, as Evangelii Gaudium 183 says 'the earth is our common home and all of us are brothers and sisters'; (2) Jesus taught compassion for those in need, e.g. the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, so Catholics must see Jesus in everyone they meet and help those who suffer; (3) Catholics should follow Jesus' example of compassion, and it is unfair that some people lack basic human rights, because 'God's heart has a special place for the poor' (Evangelii Gaudium 197).
Explanation
One mark for each reason or belief. Further marks are given for developing each reason, up to a maximum of four marks. One further mark is given for any relevant source of wisdom or authority. Repeated reasons or developments, development that does not relate to both the reason and the question, and a source that does not relate to the reason given gain no credit. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #8
"The sacraments are the best way to feel close to God." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Catholic teachings • refer to different Christian points of view • reach a justified conclusion.
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Correct answer: A balanced evaluation reaching a justified conclusion. For: sacraments give grace from God through the Holy Spirit; they are outward signs of invisible grace and deepen a person's relationship with God; baptism begins the journey of faith, washes away original sin and opens a deeper relationship with God. Against: some Christians accept only adult baptism, so those too young can find other ways to feel close to God; Quakers have no sacraments and focus on prayer and doing God's work; most Protestant churches recognise only baptism and Holy Communion, because they believe Jesus certified these, so sacraments are one way to be close to God but not the only way.
Explanation
12 marks, marked by level. Level 1 (1–3): superficial connections, generic arguments, conclusion not fully justified. Level 2 (4–6): superficial connections among many elements, limited understanding, an attempt to appraise evidence, conclusion not fully justified. Level 3 (7–9): coherent, logical reasoning that considers different viewpoints, accurate understanding, partially justified conclusion. Level 4 (10–12): critical deconstruction, sustained, accurate and thorough understanding, full range of elements connected, comprehensive appraisal of evidence, fully justified conclusion. Answers that do not consider different viewpoints within the religious tradition cannot score above Level 2. Any other valid response is accepted.
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Question #9
Outline three events of the resurrection of Jesus.
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Correct answer: Any three: Jesus' female followers visited the tomb on Sunday morning; the women found the stone had been moved from the tomb entrance; the tomb was empty; two men in gleaming clothes said Jesus had risen; an angel told the women Jesus had risen.
Explanation
One mark for each valid event identified, up to three. Any other valid response is accepted. Lists are allowed (maximum of one mark for a list).
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Question #10
Describe two differences in beliefs about life after death between Catholic Christianity and other forms of the main religious tradition of Great Britain.
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Correct answer: Two contrasts between Catholic and other Christian beliefs, e.g. Catholics believe in resurrection of the body whereas other Christian traditions believe only in immortality of the soul; Catholics believe in judgement and heaven, hell or purgatory whereas some other traditions believe the soul goes straight to heaven at death; Catholics believe good followers of other religions or none may go to heaven whereas some traditions teach only good Christians go to heaven.
Explanation
Four marks in total. Award one mark for describing a relevant Catholic belief and a second mark for a contrasting description from another Christian tradition, for each of two differences. Candidates must recognise Christianity as the main religious tradition of Great Britain. Answers that do not consider different attitudes within Christianity cannot get more than 2 marks. Any other valid response is accepted. Development that does not relate to both the reason and the question is not credited.
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