We have updated the syllabus content to provide a broader study of the Bible, widening the syllabus content to include the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament. This will enable learners to have a fuller understanding of the Bible, encouraging them to make connections between the texts in the Old and New Testaments.
Learners will continue to study biblical texts.
We have renamed the syllabus, 'Cambridge O Level Biblical Studies', to reflect the broader study of the Bible and better align to the renamed Cambridge International AS & A Level Biblical Studies (9484) (for first assessment in 2023).
The syllabus has a new code: 2035.
The revised syllabus replaces Cambridge O Level Religious Studies (Bible Knowledge) (2048), with last examination in November 2023. From examination in 2024, candidates will need to be entered for the new syllabus.
What are the main changes to the syllabus?
- The subject content has been restructured into two revised papers:
- Paper 1 The Portrayal of God in the Bible (new) (includes new content on the Old Testament)
- Paper 2 The Portrayal of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels (updated) (used to be Paper 1).
- The biblical texts for study have been updated.
- The Bible passages printed on the question papers will be taken from the free online version of the New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA). (Questions set in the examinations can be answered from any version of the Bible.)
- To aid with teacher planning, the study of the prescribed biblical texts to study will no longer alternate every three years.
What are the main changes to the assessment?
We have:
- Updated the assessment objectives (AOs) for clarity with new descriptions: AO1 Knowledge and understanding and AO2 Evaluation.
- Retained the weighting of the assessment objectives (60% AO1 Knowledge and understanding and 40% Evaluation).
- Revised the assessment to make the papers more manageable for candidates. Papers 1 and 2 are now both worth 60 marks each (instead of 80). Candidates answer three questions (instead of four questions).
- Updated the marking criteria for clarity with new levels of response marking grids.
To provide continuity, Papers 1 and 2 will continue to be externally assessed, and worth 50% each of the overall Cambridge O Level, with a duration each of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
When do these changes take place?
The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2024 onwards. Please see the 2024-2026 syllabus above for full details.
Coming soon
We are developing a comprehensive range of resources to help teachers deliver this updated syllabus.
We aim to provide a scheme of work and other relevant classroom resources. Example Candidate Responses will be available following the first examination in 2024. Visit the School Support Hub from June 2022 onwards for details.