These five steps to securing an A grade are discussed in greater detail in my revision guides. These are now available – see above link.

The table below lists all exam questions by broad syllabus theme.  Where a theme is examined, there is a black cross, and where there is no question on that theme that year, a red circle.  Themes that are connected eg utilitarianism and just war theory, have two identical coloured boxes down the column linking green with green etc. Where the theme "religious ethics" occurs I've put "situation/religion" to remind us that religious ethics means christian ethics, which is situation ethics + natural law + divine command. Study this table carefully and then read my comments below about spotting this year's questions.  Of course, I have no idea what the questions will actually be and I should add, it can be dangerous to question spot!

1. The coloured boxes show links between a theory and an applied theme. The examiner had never written an applied question by itself, until June 2012, when there were two, on eon euthansia (predictable) and one on right to a child, both part a. with the phrase "what are the issues surrounding…."

2. The examiner rarely links a theory and an applied issue twice, for example utilitarianism and war and peace is linked in January 2010 and in June 2011, but this is the only one.  Because they've done it twice, we can expect another linkage soon between a specific theory and war and peace.

3. There has been a question on some version of utilitarianism every year in every paper.  The question in June 2011 on preference utilitarianism caused an uproar, but don't forget the quirky possible question when you revise.  There was no question on utiltarianism in June, however.

4. Relative and Absolute morality are due for an appearance this January. So start your revision here!

Of course, it is stupid to over-rely on question spotting but if we were making up a question on this area (given it is due an appearance) what form might it take? 

a. Explain the difference between absolute and relative morality.

b. How might a relativist handle issues surrounding abortion?

Unusually in June 2012 they asked a question about deontological and teleological ethics. They are unlikely to do this again in January.  But what about Kantan ethics linked to the idea of the summum bonum  or Natural Law linked to primary and secondary precepts or the concept of eudaimonia?

On the applied side – I think genetic engineering is due for an appearance – but make sure you outline the varities of genetic engineering (plants, therapies like stem-cell research etc) and think carefully about ethical issues arising. Generally this area isn't well done by exam candidates, but you have been warned – look at this website and do your own summary sheet.

To conclude from this brief analysis, if I was only allowed to revise four themes this January I would take absolute/relative morality and Kant from the theory side and abortion and genetic engineering from the applied side. You can do the same analysis for any subject, which is what teachers do when you ask "Sir, what do yo think is coming up this year?".  Obviously, you should be familiar and ready for any subject on any part of the syllabus, but that doesn't stop you being just perfect on some areas!

Exercise: make up your own questions, with the syllabus in one hand (click here for a copy) taking some clues from the table. This broad analysis doesn't tell us about the sort of nuances the examiner attaches to each question – that's why I mention Kant lInked to the summum bonum or Natural Law to primary and secondary precepts. Finally, remember that secondary precepts are not absolute, but primary precepts are…why?  Explain!