If our last two exams have shown us anything it is that you need to revise everything. You also need to very carefully go through the spec (on the OCR website) to look at the wording for each section. The examiners are using the spec wording but the questions are still coming as a bit of a surprise, so you need to be prepared for anything. This is why my predictions for DCT feel a bit redundant, I am second guessing myself completely, over analysing previously asked questions, ignoring all previous patterns I have come to recognise. So rather than throwing away my crystal ball, I have just stayed with my original predictions.
- St. Augustine: “Augustine is right that sin means that humans can never be morally good.” Or “Augustine’s view of human nature is pessimistic” Discuss. Last asked in 2023 so is a possibility. The examiners could also ask “Critically assess the significance of Augustine’s teaching on human relationships before the Fall.” As this question came up in 2018 in the AS year but they do like repeating similar questions between the first and second year exams.
- Person of Jesus: “Jesus’ relationship with God was truly unique.” Discuss (Tip: make sure you know Mark 6-47-52 and John 9:1-41) No question has been asked on this area in the second year (human vs divine), so seems a large gap in the syllabus not to have been asked.
- Moral Action: “The cost of discipleship is too unrealistic.” Discuss. See past Q video for Q asked in first year exam, as examiners often repeat similar wording. Only two questions have been asked on Bonhoeffer in the second year and no question have ever been asked specifically on discipleship or grace. Also Bonhoeffer and grace was asked in last year’s AS exam so may reappear this year.
- Secularisation: General Q e.g. ‘To what extent is secularisation an opportunity for Christianity to develop new ways of thinking and acting.’ Or specific to Dawkins e.g. “Society would be happier without Christianity, as it is infantile, repressive and causes conflicts.” Discuss. The last question from this area was back in 2020 and the only areas to have been asked are Freud and a general Q (see ppt on YouTube for past questions) so some specific areas from the syllabus that are likely to come up this year.
- Gender and Theology: “Christianity can be changed and should not be abandoned.” Discuss or “Christianity is essentially sexist” Discuss. Just because we are missing it! Only two questions have been asked, one on Daly (2018) the other on Reuther (2022). I think a general question that links to both these feminist is possible.
Other possibilities: Death and Afterlife: Q on hell or election (limited/unlimited). This topic came up last year but there are lots of gaps and possible questions still on the spec that could be asked. Or Pluralism and Theology: “Christ is the ‘truth’ so there can be any other means of salvation.” Discuss.
Good luck to all of you! You have worked very hard, so this is your final opportunity to show off! Don’t forget to join the live stream on Thursday 18th June at 6.00 ( https://youtube.com/live/_kaaxnLSNi4?feature=share) for last minute exam support.
*Note: I sometimes refer to the exams by the first and second year. This is because OCR still set a paper for students who wish to sit the exam in the first year of the course (formerly known as the AS year), however most colleges no longer do this. The second year refers to the full A level exam (sat by everyone who completes the course) covering all 32 units.
*Important Update* – in the AS exam they have asked: 1. To what extent does reason have more authority than the Bible for Christian ethics? 2. ‘God may be known through the natural order of creation.’ Discuss. 3. Jesus’ mission was primarily to be a teacher of wisdom.’ Discuss. Going by the pattern in the philosophy and ethics exam, I am not discounting another question on natural vs revealed (there are a few questions that have been asked in the AS year that haven’t appeared in the second year), I also still think Jesus is a possibility.
Check out this ppt video of all past questions – I would especially look at the AS/ first year questions because the examiner’s seem to be repeating questions this year.
