9488 AS & A Level Islamic Studies Specimen Question paper & mark scheme 2021

The 9488 AS & A Level Islamic Studies Specimen Question Papers & Mark Schemes 2021 provide students and teachers with authentic Cambridge examples of how the 9488 Islamic Studies examination is structured. The specimen materials cover the four papers in the qualification:

• Paper 1 – Islamic Beliefs and Practices
• Paper 2 – Islamic Law (Shariah) and its Application
• Paper 3 – Heritage of Islam
• Paper 4 – Islam in the Modern World

Each specimen paper is accompanied by a corresponding Cambridge Mark Scheme, allowing students to practise questions and then understand how responses are assessed. Cambridge’s specimen Paper 1 mark scheme, for example, has a maximum mark of 50 and is explicitly designed for examinations from 2021.

Paper 1 – Islamic Beliefs and Practices

The specimen material introduces candidates to questions covering Islamic beliefs and practices, with the mark scheme demonstrating the use of Assessment Objectives AO1 and AO2 and levels-of-response marking.

Paper 2 – Islamic Law and Its Application

This paper focuses on Islamic law (Shariah) and its application. The specimen mark scheme provides guidance on how knowledge, understanding, analysis and evaluation are rewarded.

Paper 3 – Heritage of Islam

The specimen Paper 3 mark scheme covers Heritage of Islam and demonstrates the expected standards for extended responses and analytical questions.

Paper 4 – Islam in the Modern World

Paper 4 covers Islam in the Modern World. Cambridge provides a dedicated specimen question paper and mark scheme, with the specimen mark scheme carrying a maximum of 50 marks.

Why Use the 2021 Specimen Papers?

These specimen materials are particularly useful for students who want to understand the examination format before attempting live past papers. They help candidates:

• Become familiar with the 9488 examination structure.
• Understand the style and wording of Cambridge questions.
• Identify what each question is testing.
• Practise structured and extended responses.
• Understand how AO1 knowledge and understanding and AO2 analysis and evaluation are assessed.
• Use the mark schemes to identify what constitutes a strong answer.

The official mark schemes also explain that marks are awarded positively for valid answers and that candidates should be assessed against the requirements of the question rather than against grade thresholds.

For complete preparation, students can use the 9488 Specimen Question Papers & Mark Schemes 2021 alongside later Question Papers, Mark Schemes, Examiner Reports, Grade Thresholds, Syllabus Documents, Syllabus Updates, Scheme of Work, Learner Guide, Teacher Guide, and Example Candidate Responses.