AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR Religious Studies — Which Exam Board Is Best?
AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR Religious Studies — Which Exam Board Is Best?
Created:Updated: 25-August-2025
Choosing between AQA, Edexcel and OCR for A Level Religious Studies (RS) can feel tricky. The core themes are similar across boards—Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and a religion/theology unit—but option choices, question styles and exam-centre availability differ.
We currently teach the AQA A Level Religious Studies specification at Study from Home, because it offers clear essay prompts and a broad spread of Philosophy, Ethics and religion content that suits independent learners.
Quick answer: how to choose
- Pick the board your nearest exam centre actually offers for private candidates.
- Scan question styles (command words, essay patterns) and choose the format you write best in.
- Check the religion options (e.g., Christianity route vs alternatives) and confirm your centre supports them.
- Use resource availability—good textbooks, past papers and mark schemes—when deciding.
AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR at a glance
- AQA RS (we teach this): Emphasis on clear, evaluative essays across Philosophy, Ethics and a study-of-religion unit. Mark schemes reward tight AO1 (accurate knowledge) paired with decisive AO2 (evaluation).
- Edexcel RS: Broad coverage of Philosophy/Ethics alongside a developments-in-religious-thought route. Check carefully which religion option your centre supports.
- OCR RS: Similar three-strand structure (Philosophy, Ethics, Developments in Religious Thought). Some centres favour OCR—useful if that’s what’s available nearby.
Tip: All boards assess extended writing. The biggest practical differences for private candidates are (1) which religion option a centre offers and (2) how the essay questions are framed.
Question styles & marking
Regardless of board, RS rewards two skills: AO1 (knowledge/understanding) and AO2 (analysis/evaluation). Choose the board whose past papers feel most natural to you.
- If you like straightforward, argumentative prompts, AQA’s essay stems often suit.
- If your centre is Edexcel/OCR-focused, practice with that board’s command words and mark schemes early.
Learn how marking works: AO1 vs AO2 explained.
Private candidates: centre availability first
- Use the JCQ centre list and ask which RS board and options they accept.
- Confirm deadlines, ID requirements and fees at least six months before the summer series.
- Lock in the board your centre actually supports—then build your study plan around its specification.
Which board is “easiest”?
None is objectively easier. Success comes from matching your strengths to the question format and having consistent AO1/AO2 practice. AQA is a strong fit for many independent learners due to its direct essay questions; Edexcel and OCR are equally valid where centres and resources are better aligned.
Switching boards
- You can switch, but content and option coverage vary—expect to adjust notes.
- If you’ve already prepared extensively with one board, it’s usually simpler to stay put unless availability forces a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do universities prefer one RS exam board?
No—universities accept A Level RS from any Ofqual-regulated board. Your final grade and overall subject mix matter most.
Which exam board is best for private candidates?
The one your local exam centre offers for your chosen options. Many centres support AQA and/or OCR; check first, then choose.
Can I mix boards (e.g., sit Philosophy with one and Ethics with another)?
No. A Levels are linear: you sit all required components with the same board in the same series.
Does switching board mid-course hurt my chances?
It can add workload due to content and question-style differences. If you must switch, realign your notes to the new specification and practise that board’s past papers.