GCSE Physical Education

Award: GCSE

Awarding Body:  AQA

Specification Code: 8252

Specification Website: AQA GCSE Physical Education

The full GCSE award is split into 60% theory and 40% practical.  This will be assessed in two exam papers and 3 sports as follows: 

Paper 1: The Human Body and Movement in Physical Activity and Sport.  30%

• • Written Examination (1 hour 15 minutes) 78 Marks 

  • Multiple choice / objective test questions. Short answer and extended writing questions.

  • Content

    • The human body and movement in physical activity and sport. 

    • Applied anatomy and physiology 

    • Movement analysis 

    • Physical training 

    • Use of data 

Paper 2: Socio-Cultural influences and well-being in Physical Activity and Sport. 30%

• • Written Examination (1 hour 15 minutes) 78 Marks 

  • Multiple choice / objective test questions. Short answer questions and extended writing questions.

  • Content

    • Sports psychology

    • Socio-cultural influences 

    • Health, fitness and well-being 

    • Use of data 

Practical assessment in physical activity and sport. 100 Marks 40%

Two sections: 

Performance assessment (practical assessment) (30% - 75 marks) 

• Part 1: Skills (10 Marks per activity)

  • Students must demonstrate their ability to develop and apply the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills in each of their three chosen activities. Progressive drills may start with the skill in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in the full context of the activity. 

  • Students will be assessed holistically based on the overall performance of all of the core skills/ techniques listed for each activity, in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. 

• Part 2: Full context (15 Marks per activity)

  • Students must demonstrate their ability to apply the core skills/techniques, specific to their position where appropriate, in the full context of each of their three chosen activities. 

Performance analysis assessment (analysis and evaluation)

• Performance analysis assessment (analysis and evaluation) analysis and evaluation of performance to bring about improvement in one activity. (10% of overall mark – 25 marks)

• Students will analyse and evaluate their own performance or the performance of another person.

• Sports that pupils can be assessed on:                     

  • Association football

  • Badminton

  • Basketball

  • Cricket    

  • Dance

  • Handball

  • Hockey   

  • Hurling   

  • Lacrosse

  • Netball

  • Rowing

  • Rugby     

  • Squash   

  • Table tennis

  • Tennis

  • Volleyball

  • Boxing

  • Athletics 

  • Canoeing/kayaking

  • Cycling

  • Diving

  • Golf

  • Gymnastics (artistic)

  • Rhythmic Gymnastics

  • Equestrian

  • Rock climbing

  • Skiing

  • Snowboarding

  • Swimming

  • Trampolining

  • Acrobatic gymnastics

  • Figure Skating

  • Futsal

  • Sailing

  • Water Polo