Official links + independently written study guidance

OCR A Level Religious Studies H573 specification and resources

Use this independent hub to find the current Cambridge OCR specification, assessment materials, examiner reports, grade boundaries and the matching revision guides for all three H573 papers.

Open the official specification ↗Use the exam-skills hub

Qualification number 601/8868/6. OCR RS Revision is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OCR.

Assessment at a glance

Three papers, one consistent essay format

Each component contributes one third of the A Level. The assessment facts below link back to OCR's official documents.

Official assessment page ↗

Topic comparison table
Paper	Duration	Marks	A Level	Revise here
OCR H573/01 Philosophy of Religion	2 hours	120	33.3%	9 topic guides
OCR H573/02 Religion & Ethics	2 hours	120	33.3%	9 topic guides
OCR H573/03 Developments in Christian Thought	2 hours	120	33.3%	12 topic guides

Paper-by-paper

Match the specification to your revision

OCR H573/01

Philosophy of Religion

9 current-specification topics, one two-hour paper and 120 marks.

Four 40-mark questions are set; answer three.
AO1 knowledge and understanding: 40%.
AO2 analysis and evaluation: 60%.
2027 provisional date: Thu, 27 May 2027, morning.

Study Philosophy 2024 examiner report ↗

OCR H573/02

Religion & Ethics

9 current-specification topics, one two-hour paper and 120 marks.

Four 40-mark questions are set; answer three.
AO1 knowledge and understanding: 40%.
AO2 analysis and evaluation: 60%.
2027 provisional date: Tue, 8 June 2027, morning.

Study Ethics 2024 examiner report ↗

OCR H573/03

Developments in Christian Thought

12 current-specification topics, one two-hour paper and 120 marks.

Four 40-mark questions are set; answer three.
AO1 knowledge and understanding: 40%.
AO2 analysis and evaluation: 60%.
2027 provisional date: Wed, 16 June 2027, morning.

Study Christian Thought 2024 examiner report ↗

From OCR

Official H573 resource library

These links go directly to OCR, and the documents remain under OCR's control.

OCR H573 specification

The accredited course content, assessment objectives and prescribed study requirements.

Open specification PDF ↗02

Qualification page

OCR's main H173/H573 page, including notices and the current document collection.

Open qualification page ↗03

Assessment materials

Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports that OCR makes publicly available.

Open assessment page ↗04

Planning and teaching

OCR teaching guides, curriculum planning materials and links to support resources.

Open teaching resources ↗05

Grade boundaries

Current OCR grade-boundary information; use the archive for an earlier examination series.

Check grade boundaries ↗06

OCR exam review and tips

OCR's own review guidance for Religious Studies students preparing for the papers.

Read OCR's article ↗

OCR support highlights PDF ↗Grade-boundary archive ↗How grading works in A Level Religious Studies ↗June 2027 provisional timetable PDF ↗

Examiner reports

Turn official feedback into a revision checklist

Examiner reports are most useful when you convert observations about past responses into actions for your own planning and practice.

Find your paper and topic.Read the report alongside the original question and mark scheme so the comment stays in context.
Separate knowledge from argument.Record whether the issue concerns accurate AO1, application to the exact wording, AO2 reasoning or the final judgement.
Rewrite one paragraph.Apply the lesson immediately to an original practice question instead of collecting generic “exam tips”.

Access note for teachers. Some additional OCR materials may be available through Teach Cambridge and require a school or college login. Students should ask their teacher rather than attempt to access restricted materials themselves.