Can I Resit My A Level Religious Studies Exam?
Can I Resit My A Level Religious Studies Exam?
Created:Updated: 25-August-2025
Didn’t get the result you hoped for in A Level Religious Studies (RS)? The good news: you can retake the exams and aim for a higher grade.
Can you retake A Level Religious Studies?
Yes — students can re-sit their A Level RS exams. All A Level RS exams are typically held once a year in the May/June series.
Your re-sit follows the same structure and assessment style as a standard attempt, so the preparation you’ve already done still helps.
How to book a re-sit
As a private candidate, you book directly with an approved exam centre (school/college or private centre). This is the same process as for a first attempt.
- Use the JCQ list to identify local centres, then confirm they accept your exam board’s RS specification this series.
- Ask about deadlines, fees, and any ID/access arrangements required.
- Confirm which options/papers the centre supports (e.g., specific religion/theology routes depending on board).
- Pay the entry fee to secure your place; the centre will register you and issue a candidate number and timetable.
How to find an A Level RS exam centre
Is there a limit on how many times you can retake?
There’s no formal cap on A Level re-sits. Most students retake once, either the following year or at the next available summer series.
Keep in mind you’ll need to pay the exam-centre fee each time you enter.
Do you need to retake all papers?
A Levels are linear, so you normally must sit all papers in the same exam series; marks are not usually carried forward from previous years. Check your exam board’s guidance, but plan to re-sit the whole qualification.
Should you consider support before a re-sit?
If your original grade was below target, a focused revision plan or tutoring can make a big difference. Our RS course includes tutor support, mock papers and detailed feedback geared towards re-sit success.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are RS re-sits available?
In the main May/June exam series each year (alongside first-time entrants). Book early to avoid late entry fees.
Can I improve from an E to a higher grade?
Yes — with targeted AO1/AO2 practice, timed essays and feedback, many students improve by one or more grades when they re-sit.
Will my certificate show it was a re-sit?
No — your certificate shows your best grade achieved, not how many attempts you made.
Do I have to use the same exam board again?
You can switch, but it’s usually simpler to stick with the board you studied to avoid content/option changes. If you switch, align your revision to the new specification.