LGCSE Religious Studies (0186) study plan
LGCSE Religious Studies (0186) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Core beliefs and teachings & Ethics, morality and human conduct
Define the core beliefs of two religions (nature of God, creation, human nature, salvation or liberation) and write one precise sentence for each belief.
Construct a side-by-side table linking each core belief to its practical ethical consequence.
Apply one ethical framework (natural law, situation ethics, or utilitarianism) to a medical or life-issue case and identify two strengths and two weaknesses.
Write three thesis statements for 12-mark evaluate questions and label the judgement, reasoning, and evidence in each.
Your checkpoint
A one-page belief-to-ethics comparison map plus two 6-mark exam answers self-marked against a checklist, with at least three specific revisions recorded.
Ethics, morality and human conduct & Core beliefs and teachings
Explain how scripture, tradition, reason, and conscience function as sources of authority in ethical decision-making.
Analyse two contrasting religious responses to one issue such as capital punishment or wealth and poverty.
Evaluate the claim that religious ethics is most convincing when it follows scripture alone.
Plan a 12-mark answer in eight minutes using a claim-evidence-evaluation structure.
Your checkpoint
One timed 12-mark essay completed in 25 minutes and self-scored against the mark scheme, targeting at least 8 out of 12.
Foundations of religion and belief systems & Sacred texts and sources of authority
Define 20 foundational terms such as theism, monotheism, revelation, immanence, and transcendence with one example each.
Explain the relationship between a religion's belief system and its sources of authority.
Classify types of sacred text, including narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic, and give one example of each.
Evaluate the strengths and limits of scripture as a source of authority in a contemporary debate.
Your checkpoint
A 30-term glossary with examples plus one 8-mark source-based answer marked against published criteria.
Sacred texts and sources of authority & Core beliefs and teachings
Annotate three short scriptural passages, identifying genre, context, and doctrinal significance.
Compare two interpretations of the same passage and explain how each interpretation shapes belief.
Link each passage to one core belief and one ethical teaching.
Recall 15 key quotations from memory in a timed drill.
Your checkpoint
An annotated source booklet containing 15 quotations, three interpretations, and a completed 10-mark source question.
Worship, practices and festivals & Religion, community and society
Describe the main forms of worship and explain their purpose for individuals and communities.
Explain the origins and significance of two major festivals.
Analyse the role of religion in both social cohesion and social conflict.
Evaluate the claim that religion is a force for social stability.
Your checkpoint
A two-case study sheet covering one cohesion example and one conflict example plus a timed 10-mark answer.
Ethics, morality and human conduct & Religion, community and society
Apply two ethical frameworks to a community issue such as poverty, migration, or environmental responsibility.
Compare religious and secular responses to the same community issue.
Evaluate the role of religious leaders in public life and social reform.
Complete two 12-mark essay plans under 10-minute time limits.
Your checkpoint
Two timed 12-mark essays with self-marking and a minimum score of 9 out of 12 on each.
Core beliefs and teachings & Worship, practices and festivals
Connect three core beliefs to the worship practices and festivals that express them.
Explain how practice reinforces doctrine and how doctrine shapes practice.
Identify common misconceptions in belief-and-practice questions and correct each one.
Complete one full past paper section under timed conditions.
Your checkpoint
A completed timed paper section with a correction log listing at least five misconceptions and corrected statements.
Ethics, morality and human conduct & Sacred texts and sources of authority
Recall and apply the highest-weight ethical and authority content in a final timed rehearsal.
Plan and write two 12-mark answers within exam time limits.
Audit all six domains against the specification checklist and mark any uncovered content.
Review mark-scheme command words and allocate timing for each question type.
Your checkpoint
One full mock paper completed under exam conditions plus a one-page final revision sheet covering all six domains.
Milestones
Week 2: Complete a 25-minute 12-mark essay scoring at least 8 out of 12 on the self-mark checklist and log three recurring errors.
Week 4: Complete a half-paper covering Domains 1 to 3 under timed conditions, score at least 60 percent, and list two weak sub-topics for re-teaching.
Week 6: Complete a full timed paper covering all domains, score at least 65 percent, and produce an error log with corrective actions for each mistake.
Week 8: Complete a full mock under exam conditions, achieve at least 75 percent overall, and show a fully checked revision list with no uncovered domain.