2026 Leaving Certificate Religious Studies Exam Predictions ExamRevision

Hey all, Brian here and welcome to my Levenster predictions for religious education for 2026. So just to do quick break in actual exam and what it's going to look like for those who are uncertain. First off, the exam is broken into four units. The first unit is worth 80 marks and that is from section the search, meaning the mandatory section, the only mandatory section in the entire course. After that is unit two. we have the you have to choose between two or three sections whether it be section Christianity section world religions section the moral decision-making so two of those three sections have to be chosen and because of the amendments for the 2026 leave insert you will have three questions in each of those sections you have to do two and again out of those three sections you also have to do two as well so hopefully most of you are aware of that but if anyone's uncertain please follow our guides and again don't be afraid to contact me for further information and unit three is your elective which you would have likely started recently with your teacher, maybe last year depending on how you would looked at these things. But that is going to be either one of those four sections. So it's either going to be section religion and gender, section justice and peace, section prayer and ritual, and section the Bible and literature. So one of those four sections will be covered under your elective. That is the only part where you usually might see an 80 mark question come up instead of 40 mark or 220 mark questions. But having said that, that's only seeing based on what we've seen in previous trends. Doesn't mean the exam the exams are not restricted to any certain rules. Now lastly your journal work which likely you are finishing at the moment or maybe have finished already that is worth another 80 marks or 20% of your overall grade. So the exam paper itself is worth 320 marks. The journal work means you have overall 400 marks to gain. Now don't think for one second that means you get an extra 20 marks off top just by doing good project. Usually you might only get four or five% extra if you look at the maths. So good journal will be the difference between grade barrier. So, it's always important to make sure your journal has done well to ensure your grades are gu are guaranteed. Recently with the online booklets, they've gotten easier to kind of make sure they're done properly and of course organize the structure. So, hopefully you're okay with your project right now. Now, moving on to the actual prediction. So, like said, section the search meaning, the only mandatory section in the actual course. Now, one of the most popular trends over the past few years is seeing which philosopher will come up. This is one of the most important and most commonly frequently asked question. Which philosopher do likely think will come up? But most recently, as you may have known yourselves, from the mock exams promote exam craft and DB, neither exam paper actually had proper philosophy question, which was very interesting. So, this could be the might actually have one. Maybe there's some ideas going on there. We don't know. But it's highly unlikely, think, in my opinion, to see not philosopher question pop up. The only thing the main thing to point out is that none of the philosophers are guaranteed to pop up. There's no set in stone place where they are said they have to pop up, nor is any requirement of the course. It's just because it's such big part of section that they usually and likely do ask at least one philosophy question. So bear in mind before we carry on any more further predictions before start commenting on the predictions in front of me. This is more so just comp component of what my own reviews were seeing what trends have happened in the past years what topics have come up most recently what topics haven't and more so importantly as well what's going on in the current world that might inspire certain topics. So bear in mind lot of these subjects are designed and these little exams are designed with what is very relative and important to what's going on right now in the world. But having said that, take none of these predictions as cannon. Take none of these predictions as guarantees. Last year made this video and although few of my essays were predicted correctly, not all of them were. And in some cases, one or two sections, thankfully only one or two, there was next none of my predictions. But in this case, section thankfully was quite accurate. So let's hope have similar result this year too. So please do not take these predictions as actual cannon. Okay, starting off. So for our philosophers, just look at the current trends. The sofus came up last year in 2025 and predicted that correctly as they had not lab come up prior to that since 2019. Aristotle of our Greek philosophers is therefore the one with the longest time period without poss coming up in exams since 2021. Plato came up in 2023 and Socrates as you can see come up in 24 and 2020. I'm not saying these are the only years these guys come up but more in recent trends the most five or six years these are the ones who come up more frequently. So do think one of the Greek philosophers will pop up? Just bear in mind just cuz the sofas come up last year doesn't not mean remotely that they won't pop up again this year. There is no again frequent trend amongst these exams. Most easily could definitely say maybe two-year gap in most when you should maybe look at but having said that there's no reason why they couldn't ask the same question two years in row. So bear that in mind. Having said that, what do think? reckon you might see maybe non Greek philosopher coming up this year. The Christian philosophers helmet come up in 2020 2022 as you can see and the enlightenment or secular movement came up to about last year and then the humanist philosophers come up in 2023. reckon one of those may make appearance again because they're more unique and again sometimes it might be different for the examiners to take break from the Greek philosophers. So just bear that in mind. But having said that will say that's quite hard to say. If it is going to be Greek one possibly quite possibly Aristotle but would have weird feeling that may be non-Greek philosopher. could be wrong but just say cover those elements and cover Aristotle in quite good detail detail which will probably be one of my areas of advice. Now other areas in section 8 have been absent for more than 5 years. There's probably other ones may have missed. So if there is do not be afraid to kind of look over at do but just to bear in mind what are frequently absent over the past 5 years. So right to passages and myths which is part of section 3.1 has been absent for over 5 years. Now there has been myths asked and back in 2022 there was actually two myth questions based on the idea of how myths for shaped former societies but rights of pastures associated with ancient civilizations and myths have not been asked. So I'd say keep an eye on that topic and see if that potentially has possibility coming back up. Also interpretations of God. So the idea of the prophetic, the mystical, the poetic, the aesthetic and the holy aspects of how people interpret their gods is potential candidate question to come up this year as well. That would be quite nice question. Although the words seem bit bit strange at times, they're actually very much an accessible question because all you have to realistically do is give examples of where you see people today working like prophets where you see in certain religions how prayer works in kind of mystical sense. And of course in areas like poetry or the years of holy you see how rituals and maybe songwriter or poetry writing has actually made an impact in pop culture. So it's nice question actually get. So hopefully we might see that one. Having said that, we've seen iterations of that question come up in the past few years. So images of God in general. So we don't know if that will come up again in its own standard question. One question think has strong chance popping up and this is on at least one of the mocks if not two if I'm correct with the contemporary search for meaning. So this is where probably likely the first topic you might cover with your teacher back in fifth year assuming they go by course and this is where you cover your first your maybe film or piece of art or maybe book that has significant meaning to the people today or maybe one that has religious meaning as well. So reckon that question has strong chance of coming up since it hasn't actually popped up since the 2010s. think it was 2019 or 2018 when the last made an appearance. So think that's strong possibility of showing up this year. So would if was betting person would likely say this one but again wouldn't put all my money on the one chip in this case. Also blocks that are search meaning is something that has not come up in few years also. And again quite topical question right now. What's going on in the world? Bear in mind current trends are big influence in these exams. So areas of issues of war, issues of lack of peace, lack of injustice is big topical issue. So maybe something about finding meaning in this difficult world might be common theme in this exam. So just keep an eye on those two topics especially they would be my current predictions for section other than philosophers. Now moving on to section Now because some of you may not be doing this section feel free to skip ahead. this topic will basically be about how Christianity is formed. So the idea of Jesus with conflict is something and with conflict with authority is something think has strong chance of coming up. So there's always some form of Jesus question or Palestine question that pose up in some shape or form whether it's the Jewish groups, whether it's the Roman authorities in conflict with Palestinians or it's the idea of Jesus and his life. So there's always some question on the actual history of this time period. And this year reckon could have something to do with Jesus in conflict with authority whether that be the Roman authorities or whether that be the Jewish authorities just because again with the idea of the importance of standing up for ourselves and kind of going against oppressive groups. think this is strong possibility of making an appearance. Christologology writers was another one that was actually in one of the mock papers and if I'm not if I'm correct it was also in both mock papers. This is something again that has not been absent for couple years. Some students dislike to this one but if you're covering both this topic section and section in religion and gender if you look at the likes of Elizabeth Johnson you are covering two essays basically through two different se one essay through two different sections. So killing two birds with one stone. So would encourage looking over this topic. Some students don't like it, but for those who do understand there's benefit of covering Elizabeth Johnson and how she covers two areas. There's again maybe bit less study for that one. Messianic expectations the Davidic priestly and prophetic interpretations of the Messiah from the Jewish groups in Palestine. That's another one think is another possibility coming up and again another kind of historical type essay. Now another potential question going back to our section is Jesus in contemporary culture. Although it's probably unlikely they would ask both contemporary question culture question and then Jesus and contemporary culture question just bear in mind hypothetically if they did would just advise to and bear in mind that you could actually use similar examples yeah the easier section question on the contemporary culture as you would in this one. So say for example use something like passionate Christ or shaw shack redemption looking imagery of Jesus in those films if any at all and comparing them to how they are seen by the world today. and if you saw my notes in this actual section in exam revision, how talked about satirical inter interpretation of Christ through film, the Family Guy film and other aspects of shows such as Simpsons or South Park, the more satirical ironic views of Jesus could also be used for your contemporary culture question section And again, if they both came up, you cannot get marked down for using the same examples and different answers. Just bear that in mind. Now, worship and rituals as well, something connected to rights. Again, whether this comes up or not, it's always good thing to have. Knowing religions, their practices, their rituals is off the top of your head is always important thing to do. Section Christianity is no different. I'd always advise as well, of course, with section your Islam as well. On that note, moving on to section reckon some of the main topics that possibly come up. predicted this for few years now, and something about the development of patterns of change in society is something I'm surprised not seen, especially with everything going on in Ireland regarding the controversies of immigration and migration. But this is something think that has actually strong potential coming up because again it helps recognize the importance of pluralism and community development and again you can bring in groups here such as say it's in Nepal the Muslim sisters of era the Buddhist temple in Dublin these are some of the things you can actually comment on how these things have changed and shaped Dublin's kind of multicultural society so that's the same central question think has strong chance of popping up in addition to that as said here actually twice accidentally challenges to the faith so what thing what different religions have actually experienced as challenged challenges whether it's more modern whether it's more historical whether it's things such as anti-semitism islamophobia and also challenges the Christian church has faced in Ireland that is something think is potential chance of coming up last year had predicted correctly the interfaith dialogue and that came up last year and interfaith dialogue has come up quite frequently in the past years especially everything going on with Israel Palestine so don't think it's likely to last two years in row but having said that still recommend looking over things such as challenges to the faith because do think because faith is becoming so controversial right now and and how religions have been used to wage wars in some shape or form. reckon it has strong chance that we could see some sort of question commenting on challenges faiths actually struggle with. Going back to my second point here, primal religions, which is relatively frequently asked question in section usually popping up every three or four or five years. And again, it was predicted on the mocks both this year and believe last year as well. It did not come up in the 2025 paper. So reckon has chance to pop up this year as well. Bear in mind, although it is very nice question for some people, it may be phrased in different way. one year if recall correctly the primal religious question was blended with the sacred and profane question so that is something to take keep in mind that sometimes these questions these topics can be blended together that might seem daunting at first but basically it's case of combining your notes together now the other topic think has potential possibility showing up is the vision of salvation between faiths how different faiths understand the idea of salvation how it works through their own prayers and rituals so again the base idea when it comes to section the best and for most foolproof way to have your exam had have that section covered well and at least have one if not two questions covered is to ensure you know at least two religions in good detail regarding their origins their main rituals and maybe some of the right of passages and at least that way you're going to cover yourself mostly for at least one if not two section questions and possibly and potentially section question as well so just be conscious again of killing multiple birds of one stone there okay moving on then to section now unfortunately was actually quite happy with my result my predictions last year for section as most of them showed up and thought it was one of the nicest section papers I've ever seen last last year. My apologies for the mistake here to date. But the topics that didn't come up were things such as predicted were aspects of fundamentalism and relativism at D.3.1, civil authority and religious authority and of course general moral decision-making and crime and punishment connected to moral maturity. I'd also think this year has strong chance of seeing the ancient morality or meaning morality D.11 where you look at Hebrew, Greek or Roman morality. So think those topics have strong chance of popping up as it's not popular for couple of years. Religion, morality in general. Again, this one thing just say foolproof way of making sure you have section covered. They're always going to have some connection to religious and mor moral aspect. Although this section is quite open, it's quite broad. It doesn't always connect doesn't always have to connect back to religion. would encourage that you would look at moral code or moral chart in religion in quite good detail to ensure you have this topic covered in all areas. The other area I'd say is the meaning of morality. So looking at morality for human phenomena. Again, that's usually nice question. Hasn't popped up since 2022. if I'm correct in saying and use that question consists of how areas like charity or law or education are aspects of morality that are unique features to humanity. So again an important topic that could be important today especially considering the issues going on of finding meaning in very challenging world today. Now probable questions for 2026 regarding the sec the elective topics. So, so either section or Section religion and gender. The mocks at least for DEB predicted the biology, philosophy, psychology and sociology question and only give it an 80 mark question. Last year, if recall correctly, they had no ATM mark questions. But that does not mean by any means they're going to repeat that same system again this year. So, reckon it will be either the biology, philosophy, psychology question, or the founders of religious orders, social reformers, religious writers, spiritual thinkers questions. But again, with section the one benefit to it, there's only handful of actual essays they could ask. Just be conscious that section requires you to have lot of still good details and examples to back up your points. It seems like very easy section, but it actually is quite broad and would penalize you greatly for being very general and not being quite specific about areas of development in religion and in gender throughout their society. So, be conscious that you're giving clear facts, clear dates, clear statistics when you can to make sure your facts are standing out to the person next to you. Section I'm predicting three topics. Either just war theory, fair plane retribution or greening. Fair plane retribution came up in the DB mock, just war theory hasn't come up since 2022. And again, because it's focused and again these exams are sometimes based on what's going on in the current world and everything going on of course in Israel, Palestine, now Iran and America. It is potential topic. Last time was back in 2022 and the Ukraine, Russia war had begun. So again, these examiners do tend to base their content on what is relevant and what's going on in the world today. Lastly, greening. Although there's frequently they ask about environmental questions that specific topic of graining has not come up for certain number of years. So I'd recommend looking over that section Now the one thing to remember section is even though these predictions are more so based on recent trends section like said for section if you know at least one religion in good detail regarding its form of meditation or prayers or rituals or in this case sits basis you tend to have lot of the areas covered and likely have at least one question if not two questions covered. Now when it comes to section meditation is big part of it and again that has not been asked for number of years and again meditation can also be brought back into your interpretations of God question the ideas of mystical. So if you're studying that area of mystical the Buddhist meditation the salat prayer the rosary that is something that can actually cross over hopefully and make your studying bit easier by looking at two subjects and one topic two sections and one sub topic. And lastly however section Now this is the most unanswered question in the actual course based on exam reports for couple of years ago. But if you are looking at this section, the synoptic gospels, Bible as classic, and information Hebrew scriptures. I'm not going to lie, that's the only prediction based on recent years. It's not the section I'm most familiar with in terms of essays. It's one usually avoid because there's the most essays. But if you are doing that section, best luck. And again, there's something I've noticed based on have not come up in the past years. It's synoptic gospels as question based on the mocks as the Bible is classic formation of Hebrew scriptures. Again, basically everything going on in the world was set to anti-semitism. there could be an issue area where with Hebrew scriptures and this formation question could connect to the idea of inte dialogue and unification of religions. Hopefully you found those predictions helpful. If you have any further questions, please contact me at the [email protected] and I'll hopefully answer any questions you may have. Best luck with your leave insert and make sure you look for more of my revision videos on exam revision. They're currently giving offering 40% discount. So see link below attached in pre next slides. Thank you.