Cambridge AS & A Level Islamic Studies (9488): syllabus, papers and marking
Structured and essay answers marked in levels. June series ends in 2026; from 2027 the paper is sat in November only.
Syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 structure unchanged; November series only from 2027) · June (to 2026) and November (from 2027) series · grades A*–E (A Level), a–e (AS)
Islamic Studies 9488: where the marks go
A Level Islamic Studies 9488 is four papers: Islamic Beliefs and Practices, Islamic Law (Shariah) and its Application, Heritage of Islam, and Islam in the Modern World. From 2027 the syllabus is examined in the November series. Paper 1 turns on set Qur’an and Hadith texts; across all four papers, marks go on quoting the sources and scholars and on answering the command word.
Our papers follow the structured and essay questions of all four papers, and marking is in levels with the descriptor quoted. Each answer is checked for source quotations and for whether it describes where the question says discuss or evaluate.
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Islamic Beliefs and Practices | 1 h 30 min | 50 | 50% AS · 25% A Level | Compulsory question on the set Qur’an and Hadith texts, then one of two |
| Paper 2 — Islamic Law (Shariah) and its Application | 1 h 30 min | 50 | 50% AS · 25% A Level | One of two structured questions in each of two sections |
| Paper 3 — Heritage of Islam | 1 h 30 min | 50 | 25% A Level | One of two in each section; Section A part (a) source-based |
| Paper 4 — Islam in the Modern World | 1 h 30 min | 50 | 25% A Level | Two extended essays from three |
Syllabus outline
- Paper 1 Islamic Beliefs and Practices: the life of the Prophet (pbuh); set Qur’an and Hadith texts; main beliefs, purification and intention, acts of devotion, putting faith into action
- Paper 2 Islamic Law (Shariah) and its Application: schools of jurisprudence (fiqh), sources of shariah, application of shariah; diversity of schools of thought
- Paper 3 Heritage of Islam: the Umayyads and the Abbasids; literature and philosophy, architecture and design
- Paper 4 Islam in the Modern World: women in Islam, Islam and pluralism, leadership of the Muslims
How each paper is marked here
- Structured questions are marked in levels with the descriptor quoted.
- Essays are marked for source use, argument and evaluation.
- Opening soon: levels rubric in testing.
Where Islamic Studies 9488 candidates lose marks
- Few quotations from the Qur’an and Hadith — References to scripture and to scholars are still lacking in many answers and are what lifts a level.
- Describing when the command is discuss or evaluate — Answers that stay descriptive do not show the evaluation those command words ask for.
- The principle without the example from the Prophet’s life — Higher marks go to concrete examples of how the Prophet (pbuh) lived a duty, rather than how a Muslim could carry it out.
- Leaving out a second Hadith — Where a second reference is asked for, omitting it caps the answer.
- General answers on a passage — Using the passage’s own words, not general points that are not in the extract.
Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 9488
See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.
Questions teachers ask
- Which set texts?
- The Qur’an and Hadith texts prescribed for the series.
- Is it only in November?
- Yes. From 2027 it is examined in the November series only, and it is not available in all administrative zones.
- When does it open?
- After the levels rubric test; ask to be told.
- Is this official Cambridge marking?
- No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 9488. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every 9488 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2029 structure unchanged; november series only from 2027), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- June (to 2026) and November (from 2027) series. Grades A*–E (A Level), a–e (AS).
Other Cambridge AS & A Level courses
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