Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies - Student-friendly Level Descriptors - Clarify

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by jayni

Resource provides student-friendly level descriptors for the 10-mark “Clarify” question in Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies. It explains the criteria to reach levels 1 to 3, including what students must demonstrate for knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs. Each level outlines command focus, assessment objectives, and descriptor expectations across knowledge range, subject-specific terminology accuracy, and linkage to the extract references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

About this resource

Level 1 (1-3 marks)

Level 2 (4-6 marks)

Level 3 (7-10 marks)

Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies Student friendly level descriptors: Clarify Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies About this resource This resource aims to provide clear and student-friendly level descriptors for the 10-mark ‘Clarify' question. It details the criteria required to achieve levels 1 to 3, with comprehensive descriptions of the specific actions and knowledge students need to demonstrate at each level. Contents: • Level 1 (1-3 Marks) • Level 2 (4-6 Marks) • Level 3 (7-10 Marks) Student friendly level descriptors : Clarify Page 2 of 7 Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies Level 1 (1-3 marks) | Command word | Definition | Assessment Objectives | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Clarify | Identify key ideas and explain key
concepts. | 10 AO1 | | | Descriptor | Student friendly descriptor | | --- | --- | | A narrow range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are selected but are unlikely to be used appropriately or accurately (AO1) . | The answer has used a few subjectspecific words, but they are not always used correctly or in the right way. | | Knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs is superficial (AO1) . | The answer shows a basic understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs, but it doesn’t go into much detail. | | Knowledge and understanding addresses a narrow range of key religious ideas and beliefs with some inaccuracies that are not directly linked to the extract (AO1) . | The answer shows a small number of key religious ideas and beliefs but there are some inaccuracies which are not clearly linked to the extract. | Student friendly level descriptors : Clarify Page 3 of 7 Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies Level 2 (4-6 marks) | Command word | Definition | Assessment Objectives | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Clarify | Identify key ideas and explain key
concepts. | 10 AO1 | | | Descriptor | Student friendly descriptor | | --- | --- | | A range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are selected most of which are used appropriately with some inaccuracies (AO1) . | The answer shows a range of knowledge and subject-specific words which are used appropriately for most of the answer but there may be some inaccuracies. | | Knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs is detailed, however it is not fully developed (AO1) . | The answer shows understanding of important religious ideas and beliefs but could benefit from further elaboration. | | Knowledge and understanding addresses a narrow range of key religious ideas and beliefs and are linked in most cases to reference from the extract (AO1) . | The answer shows a small number of key religious ideas and beliefs which are supported in most cases by references to the extract. | Student friendly level descriptors : Clarify Page 4 of 7 Pearson Edexcel GCE A level Religious Studies Level 3 (7-10 marks) | Command word | Definition | Assessment Objectives | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Clarify | Identify key ideas and explain key
concepts. | 10 AO1 | | | Descriptor | Student friendly descriptor | | --- | --- | | A wide range of knowledge, specialist language and terminology are carefully selected and used appropriately, accurately and sustained throughout (AO1) . | A wide range of knowledge and subjectspecific words are carefully chosen and used correctly and consistently throughout the answer. | | Knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs is detailed and fully developed (AO1) . | The answer shows detailed and well explained understanding of important religious ideas and beliefs. | | Knowledge and understanding addresses a broad range of key religious ideas and beliefs and is fully linked to references from the extract (AO1) . | The answer shows a strong and welldeveloped understanding of a large range of key religious ideas, clearly supported by references to the extract. | Student frien

FAQs

What does the “Clarify” question require at each level?

At all three levels, students must identify key ideas and explain key concepts. The difference lies in the knowledge range, terminology use, and how well answers develop and link references.

What assessment objectives are used for the Clarify question?

The descriptors focus on AO1, covering knowledge and understanding of key religious ideas and beliefs, and how students apply that understanding in their responses.

How do Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 differ?

Level 1 expects a narrow range with superficial understanding and limited, sometimes incorrect terminology. Level 2 broadens the range with mostly appropriate subject-specific language. Level 3 requires wide-ranging, accurately sustained terminology and fully developed, well-linked references.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by jayni