Writing a 40-mark RS essay
Answer the question set, use precise knowledge to support each claim, weigh the other side as you go, and reach a judgement you have earned.
| Marks | 40 per essay, three essays a paper |
|---|---|
| Time | About 40 minutes an essay |
| AO1 | Knowledge and understanding: 40% of the A level |
| AO2 | Analysis and evaluation: 60% of the A level |
What each objective asks
- AO1: accurate, precise knowledge, with the right terms and thinkers' actual positions, chosen for this question.
- AO2: a view on the question, arguments weighed, counter-arguments answered, and a conclusion that follows from what you wrote.
Common ways to lose marks
- Describing a theory in full and evaluating only in the last paragraph.
- Answering the topic rather than the question's own wording.
- Naming a scholar without saying what they argue or why it matters here.
In this course
Each essay question has Mia's feedback on six points, three for AO1 and three for AO2. She quotes your own lines and says what to change; she shows no mark or grade and never writes the essay for you.
The H573 specification, Version 2.0 (July 2026), is on the OCR website.
Next step
FAQ
How long should a 40-mark RS essay take?
Each paper is 2 hours for three essays, so about 40 minutes each, including planning.
Is AO2 worth more than AO1?
Yes. Across the A level AO1 is 40% and AO2 is 60%.