Common Entrance Information

 

The Common Entrance syllabus and exam paper is set by the Independent Schools Examinations Board

 

A Common Entrance paper has 3 sections:

 

1) Old Testament Stories & Contemporary Issues (4 questions on paper)

2) New Testament Stories & Contemporary Issues (4 questions on paper)

3) World Religions (30 questions on paper)

 

You have to answer ONE question from sections 1 and 2.

 

Each question in sections 1 & 2 has four parts to it and are marked as follows:

(a) 2 marks – usually asking you to define a word such as 'parable'. Try to give two pieces of information.

(b) 6 marks – these questions ask you to describe part of the story. Be thorough and include as much detail as you can.

(c) 6 marks – these questions ask you to explain the theology behind something – it might be something someone said, or a concept, like ‘loyalty’ or ‘leadership’. This is the trickiest part and you need to include background information and examples.

(d) 7 marks – discussion of a contemporary moral issue based on the Bible story. You need to either write a balanced argument (for / against / conclusion) and you must give examples to support the points you make. Try to use linking phrases like 'some people might say', 'on the other hand', 'others' believe''

 

 

After all that you then need to answer ANY 3 questions from the World Religions section - that means you can mix and match! However, you have only studied Judasim, Sikhism and Islam so please don't be tempted to try questions from another religion. That includes Christianity! We do not study it as a religion and you do not have sufficient information to answer the questions properly! World Religions questions are each worth 5 marks and you just need the facts!