Around fifteen to twenty solid, flexible quotes is enough if you choose them well. Pick quotes that can be reused across multiple themes — for example, 'love your neighbour as yourself' works for relationships, peace and justice. For each quote, learn the exact wording, the source (book or thinker), and two themes you can apply it to. Short powerful quotes score as well as long ones, so do not waste memory on a twenty-word passage.

Use a clear four-part structure. One: state one side of the argument with a religious teaching or quote. Two: develop it with explanation and reasoning. Three: give the opposing view, ideally from another religion or a non-religious perspective like humanism. Four: reach a justified conclusion saying which side is stronger and why. Always refer to the statement in the question. Aim for 300 to 400 words and use the phrase 'on the other hand' at least once.

Yes, especially on AQA Paper 2 thematic questions. Examiners specifically reward candidates who contrast religious teachings with non-religious perspectives such as humanism, atheism or utilitarianism. For every ethical theme (relationships, life and death, crime and punishment, peace and conflict), prepare at least one non-religious argument. It gives you an automatic counterpoint in evaluation questions and shows you understand that moral reasoning does not only come from religion.

AQA Spec A has two papers, each worth 96 marks and 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 1 covers the beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions (most schools pick Christianity and Islam). Paper 2 covers four thematic studies such as relationships, life and death, crime and punishment, and peace and conflict. Each theme has a 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12-mark question. Edexcel and OCR structures differ slightly, so check your board's specification.

Use flashcards and topic blurts. Create a flashcard for each key belief (for example, the Trinity, Tawhid, the afterlife) with a short definition, one quote and one practical consequence. Then blurt everything you know about a topic onto blank paper, check what you missed, repeat a few days later. Spaced repetition is ideal for this because it is very fact-heavy. Past papers show you which beliefs examiners actually ask about year after year.