Founder & Origin
Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century CE, Roman Palestine.
Founded on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believed to be the Son of God and Messiah promised in the Hebrew scriptures. Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies 0490
📿 Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies Reference Sheet 2026
Everything Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies students need — beliefs, sacred texts, practices, festivals and comparative essay technique across Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Two-Religion Study Beliefs & Practices Sacred Text Citation Comparative Technique
Our reference sheets are free to download — save this one as PDF for offline revision.
Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.
All Five 0490 Religions Summarised in One Reference Sheet
Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies (0490) requires candidates to study TWO religions in depth from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. This reference sheet pulls together the founders, sacred texts, core beliefs, key practices, festivals, places of worship and ethics for each — plus the comparative and source-citation techniques examiners reward across Paper 1 and Paper 2.
📖
Sacred texts, founders and origin stories for all five religions
🕊️
Core beliefs about God, humanity, salvation and the afterlife
🕌
Key practices, rites, festivals and places of worship
⚖️
Comparative essay technique drawing on TWO religions and source citation
Christianity — Beliefs, Texts & Practices
Core 0490 content for the Christianity option.
Sacred Text — The Bible
Old Testament (Hebrew scriptures) + New Testament.
OT
Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah — covenant, law, prophecy NT
Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Acts, Pauline letters, Revelation Cite as Book Chapter:Verse — e.g. John 3:16, Genesis 1:1.
Beliefs about God
Trinity — one God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent. Creator (Genesis 1). Incarnation — God became flesh in Jesus. Resurrection of Jesus brings salvation from sin. Practices & Rites
Sacraments — Baptism (entry into the Church), Eucharist/Communion (bread & wine remembering Christ's death). Prayer (Lord's Prayer). Worship (church services, hymns). Reading scripture. Festivals
Christmas
Birth of Jesus — celebrated 25 December Easter
Resurrection of Jesus — most important Christian festival Pentecost
Coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples Place of Worship & Denominations
Church — altar, pulpit, font, cross. Major branches: Catholic (Pope, seven sacraments), Orthodox (icons, patriarchs), Protestant (sola scriptura, Reformation roots). Ethics
Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount, agape (selfless love), 'love your neighbour', sanctity of life, forgiveness, stewardship of creation. Islam — Beliefs, Texts & Practices
Core 0490 content for the Islam option.
Founder & Origin
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), 7th century CE, Arabia (Mecca and Medina).
Muhammad received revelations from Allah through the angel Jibril (Gabriel) beginning 610 CE; the Hijra to Medina (622 CE) marks the start of the Islamic calendar. Sacred Texts
Qur'an
Direct word of Allah revealed to Muhammad — 114 surahs, in Arabic Sunnah / Hadith
Sayings and actions of the Prophet, recorded by his companions Cite Qur'an as Surah:Ayah — e.g. Qur'an 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi).
Beliefs — Tawhid & Six Articles of Faith
Tawhid
Absolute oneness of Allah — no partners, no images Six Articles
Belief in (1) Allah, (2) Angels, (3) Holy Books, (4) Prophets, (5) Day of Judgement, (6) Predestination (Al-Qadr) Five Pillars
Shahadah
Declaration of faith — 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is His messenger' Salah
Five daily prayers facing Mecca Zakat
Almsgiving — 2.5% of wealth annually Sawm
Fasting during Ramadan from dawn to sunset Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca, once in a lifetime if able Festivals
Eid al-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan Eid al-Adha
Festival of sacrifice — commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Place of Worship & Branches
Mosque (Masjid) — minaret, minbar, mihrab pointing to Mecca, no images. Sunni (~85%, follows the Sunnah, four schools of law) and Shia (~15%, follow Ali and the Imams). Ethics
Halal/haram, justice (adl), umma (community), care for orphans, prohibition of riba (interest), modesty, jihad as personal striving for righteousness. Judaism — Beliefs, Texts & Practices
Core 0490 content for the Judaism option.
Origins & Covenant
Abraham (~1800 BCE) and Moses (~1300 BCE).
Abrahamic covenant
God's promise of land and descendants, sealed by circumcision (Genesis 17) Mosaic covenant
Torah and the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20) Sacred Texts
Tenakh
Torah (5 books of Moses) + Nevi'im (Prophets) + Ketuvim (Writings) Talmud
Mishnah + Gemara — rabbinic commentary and oral law Cite as Book Chapter:Verse — e.g. Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema).
Beliefs about God
One indivisible God (the Shema). Creator, lawgiver, just and merciful. Covenantal relationship with the Jewish people. Messiah yet to come. Practices & 613 Mitzvot
613 mitzvot (commandments) — 248 positive, 365 negative. Kosher food laws (kashrut). Circumcision (Brit Milah) on the 8th day. Bar/Bat Mitzvah (13/12). Daily prayer (siddur). Shabbat
Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall — day of rest commemorating God's rest after Creation. Lighting candles, blessing wine (kiddush) and bread (challah), no work. Festivals
Pesach (Passover)
Liberation from Egypt — Seder meal, matzah Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement — fasting, repentance, holiest day of year Hanukkah
Festival of lights — rededication of the Temple, eight-branched menorah Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year — shofar blown Synagogue & Branches
Synagogue — Aron Hakodesh (ark holding Torah scrolls), bimah, ner tamid (eternal light). Orthodox (strict adherence to Torah and tradition) vs Reform (adapts practice to modern life, egalitarian). Hinduism — Beliefs, Texts & Practices
Core 0490 content for the Hinduism option.
Origins
No single founder — develops from Vedic religion (~1500 BCE) in the Indian subcontinent.
Sanatana Dharma — 'eternal way' — combining diverse traditions, deities and philosophies over thousands of years. Sacred Texts
Shruti (heard)
Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva), Upanishads — philosophical core Smriti (remembered)
Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas Cite Bhagavad Gita as Chapter:Verse — e.g. Bhagavad Gita 2:47.
Beliefs about God
Brahman
Ultimate reality — formless, infinite, all-pervading Trimurti
Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer) Atman
The eternal self/soul, ultimately one with Brahman Core Concepts
Samsara
Cycle of birth, death and rebirth Karma
Law of action — moral consequences shape future lives Dharma
Religious and moral duty appropriate to one's stage of life Moksha
Liberation from samsara — union with Brahman Paths to Moksha
Bhakti yoga
Path of loving devotion to a personal deity Jnana yoga
Path of knowledge and philosophical insight Karma yoga
Path of selfless action without attachment to results Practices & Worship
Puja (worship at home shrine or temple/mandir), murti (sacred image), prasad (blessed food), arti (lamp ceremony), pilgrimage (e.g. Varanasi, Ganges). Festivals
Diwali
Festival of lights — return of Rama, victory of light over darkness Holi
Spring festival of colours — celebrates Krishna and the triumph of good Navaratri
Nine nights honouring the goddess Durga Society & Ethics
Varna (four traditional social classes: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) and ashrama (four stages of life). Ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), respect for all life. Buddhism — Beliefs, Texts & Practices
Core 0490 content for the Buddhism option.
Founder & Origin
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha (~563–483 BCE), Northern India.
Renounced his princely life after the Four Sights (old age, sickness, death, holy man); attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. Sacred Texts
Tripitaka / Pali Canon
Vinaya (monastic rules), Sutta (teachings), Abhidhamma (philosophy) — Theravada Mahayana sutras
Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra — Mahayana tradition No single 'creator God' — the Buddha is teacher, not deity.
Four Noble Truths
1. Dukkha
Life involves suffering and unsatisfactoriness 2. Samudaya
Suffering is caused by craving (tanha) and attachment 3. Nirodha
Suffering can cease — through letting go of craving 4. Magga
The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path Noble Eightfold Path
Wisdom
Right View, Right Intention Ethical conduct
Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood Mental discipline
Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration Three Marks of Existence
Anicca
Impermanence — all things change Dukkha
Unsatisfactoriness/suffering Anatta
No fixed self/soul Karma, Rebirth & Nirvana
Karma — intentional actions have consequences across lives. Rebirth — continuity without a fixed soul. Nirvana — extinguishing of craving, the end of samsara. Sangha & Branches
Sangha — community of monks, nuns and lay followers. Theravada ('Way of the Elders' — emphasises monastic life and the Pali Canon) vs Mahayana ('Great Vehicle' — bodhisattva ideal, salvation for all). Festivals & Worship
Wesak
Celebrates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) Practice
Meditation (samatha and vipassana), chanting, offerings at shrines, the Five Precepts Source Citation Technique
Examiners reward precise reference to sacred texts.
Standard Citation Format
Cite using Book Chapter:Verse so an examiner can locate the passage.
Bible
John 3:16 — 'For God so loved the world…' Qur'an
Qur'an 2:255 — Ayat al-Kursi (the Throne Verse) Tenakh
Deuteronomy 6:4 — the Shema Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita 2:47 — duty without attachment to results Dhammapada
Dhammapada 1:1 — 'Mind precedes all phenomena…' Using Sources in Answers
Quote (or paraphrase if you can't recall verbatim) → reference accurately → explain meaning → link explicitly to the question. A weak source used well beats a strong source used poorly. Memorise 3–4 short, flexible quotations per religion that can be deployed across multiple themes (God, ethics, worship, afterlife).
Comparative Essay Technique
Higher-mark questions ask candidates to draw on TWO religions.
Comparative Essay Structure
Use point-by-point comparison rather than block-by-block to access higher AO levels.
Introduction
Define key terms in the question → state your overall judgement → name the two religions you will compare Body paragraphs
Each paragraph: theme → Religion A's view (with source) → Religion B's view (with source) → similarities & differences → analysis Conclusion
Weigh up the comparison → restate your overall judgement → avoid introducing new material Useful Comparative Connectives
Similarly… | In contrast… | Whereas Religion A teaches… Religion B emphasises… | Both religions agree that… although they differ in… | This reveals a shared concern with… while reflecting different theological starting points. Evaluation Vocabulary
Some believers argue… | Others would respond that… | A traditional view holds… | A modern interpretation suggests… | On balance, the most persuasive position is… Always show awareness of diversity within a religion — not all Christians/Muslims/Hindus believe the same thing.
Exam Structure & Time Management
Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies (0490) is assessed by two written papers.
Paper 1 & Paper 2
Paper 1
First chosen religion — 1h 45m, structured questions across set themes Paper 2
Second chosen religion — 1h 45m, same structure as Paper 1 Each paper carries 50% of the total mark — both religions must be studied in equal depth.
Per-Question Timing
Allocate roughly 1.5 minutes per mark. Plan extended responses for 2–3 minutes before writing. Always leave 5 minutes at the end to check source references and spelling of religious terms. How to Use This Reference Sheet
Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.
📿
Memorise Short, Flexible Quotations
Pick 3–4 short scripture quotations per religion that can be deployed across themes (God, ethics, worship, afterlife). Quality over quantity wins marks.
🔁
Build a Comparative Grid
Make a one-page grid comparing your two religions across beliefs about God, sacred texts, practices, festivals and ethics. Comparative recall is faster from a grid than from prose notes.
🗣️
Use Religious Terminology Precisely
Spell key terms accurately — Tawhid, Shema, moksha, anatta, samsara, Trinity. Examiners credit specialist vocabulary.
⚖️
Show Diversity Within Religions
Distinguish Sunni/Shia, Orthodox/Reform, Catholic/Protestant, Theravada/Mahayana. Top answers recognise that believers within a tradition disagree.
Reference Sheet FAQ
Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.
Is the Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies Reference Sheet 2026 free to download as a PDF?
Yes. This Tutopiya formula sheet is free to use and you can download it as a PDF from this page for offline revision. There is no payment or account required for the PDF download.
What Religious Studies topics and equations does this formula sheet cover?
This page groups key Religious Studies formulas in one place for revision. Master Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies (0490) with this 2026 reference sheet. Covers Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism — beliefs, sacred texts, practices, festivals and comparative essay technique. Always cross-check with your official syllabus and past papers for your exam session.
Can I use this instead of the official exam formula booklet in the exam?
No. In the exam you must follow only what your exam board allows in the hall—usually the official formula booklet or data sheet where provided. This page is a revision and teaching aid, not a replacement for board-issued materials.
Who is this formula sheet for (Secondary)?
It is written for students preparing for assessments at Secondary in Religious Studies, including classroom revision, homework support, and independent study. Teachers and tutors can also share it as a quick reference.
How should I revise with this formula sheet?
Work through past paper questions, quote the correct formula before substituting values, and check units and notation every time. Pair this sheet with timed practice and mark schemes so you see how examiners expect working to be set out.
Where can I get more help with Religious Studies revision?
Explore Tutopiya’s study tools, past paper finder, and revision checklists linked from our tools hub, or book a trial lesson with a subject specialist for personalised support alongside this formula reference.
Need Help with Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies?
Work through beliefs, practices, source citation and comparative essays with an experienced Cambridge IGCSE Religious Studies tutor. We focus on accurate use of sources, religious vocabulary and structured comparison.
More Tutopiya study tools
Pair this reference sheet with past papers, revision checklists, and planners — all free on our study tools hub.
- All study tools Browse the full hub: calculators, planners, past papers, and more.
- Past paper finder Search past papers by board, subject, and year.
- Revision checklists Topic-by-topic checklists for IGCSE & A Level (2026 syllabi).
- Keywords & definitions Examiner-style keywords and definitions by topic — Cambridge & Edexcel IGCSE & A Level.
- Free lesson planner Plan IGCSE, GCSE, A-Level & IB lessons with portal links and printable export.
- Study planner Build schedules and stay on track before exams.
- Past paper error log Log mistakes from papers and review them systematically.
- Score tracker Track marks and grades across past paper sittings.
- Past paper exam timer Board presets, pacing tips, and a graph of time taken per paper.
- Topic & paper planner Plan revision by topic and tie it to past papers.
- GPA calculator Convert IGCSE, GCSE, and A Level grades to GPA-style summaries.
- The Tutopiya Test Quick diagnostic to see where you stand.
- IGCSE resources Practice questions, notes, and guides for Cambridge & Edexcel IGCSE.
This reference sheet aligns with Cambridge Assessment International Education IGCSE Religious Studies (0490) syllabus content for the 2026 exam series.
Always support points with accurately referenced sources from sacred texts and demonstrate awareness of diversity within each religion.