Hinduism: philosophy and religion — AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) questions by topic
A set of 10 questions probes why Hinduism might be called pluralistic, whether Gandhi's ethics rested on Hindu teachings, how three levels of reality support Advaita's claim that everything is Brahman, and Dvaita Vedanta's dualism, each worth up to 30 marks.
Discuss, evaluate and assess require you to weigh evidence and reach a conclusion, not simply describe a position. Drawn from 2023 to 2025 papers, this page's instant marking is useful for spotting when knowledge of a figure or tradition has not been selected and applied to the actual question, a distinction examiners repeatedly flag as the difference between a Level 2 and Level 3 response.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly note candidates possessing good knowledge of named figures but not selecting material relevant to the specific question asked.
- A recurring criticism is treating Ishvara as identical to Brahman or God, including the nirguna Brahman of Advaita, rather than defining it accurately.
- Reports flag spending disproportionate time on Advaita, leaving the other two traditions rushed or confused.
- Strong answers correctly identified Ishvara with saguna Brahman as a personal object of bhakti, and reached Level 3 by arguing more than one point of view to a conclusion.
May–June 2025, Paper 03
Explain how the idea of three levels of reality supports the Advaita view that everything is Brahman.
Answer this question and get it marked →Evaluate the claim that all religions are viewed as equally true in Hinduism.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Vegetarianism is a universal Hindu value.' Discuss with reference to the teachings of M K Gandhi.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 03
Explain why Hinduism might be described as a pluralistic religion.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 03
Describe Dvaita Vedanta teachings about the dualistic nature of the universe.
Answer this question and get it marked →Evaluate the claim that M K Gandhi's ethics were not based on Hindu teachings.
Answer this question and get it marked →Evaluate the significance of Shankara's philosophy for contemporary Hinduism.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 03
Compare the ways M K Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda understood Hinduism as a world religion.
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Vedanta philosophies are basically the same.' Discuss.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Ishvara is an important concept in all Hindu philosophies.' Discuss.
Answer this question and get it marked →