OCR A Level Physical Education (PE) specification (H555)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your OCR A Level Physical Education (PE) exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official OCR A Level Physical Education (PE) specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official OCR A Level Physical Education (PE) (H555) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official OCR specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level Physical Education (PE) qualification from OCR integrates scientific, psychological and sociocultural perspectives on sport and physical activity. It encourages learners to analyse the physical and mental demands of performance and participation across a range of activities. The course aims to build a holistic understanding of PE, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students explore biomechanics, skill acquisition, physiology, historical development, and contemporary issues, preparing them for higher education or careers in sport science, teaching, coaching or healthcare professions .Subject content breakdown
Component 01: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance
- Applied anatomy and physiology
- Skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Energy for exercise and environmental effects
- Exercise physiology
- Diet, nutrition, training methods and injury prevention
- Biomechanics
- Newton’s laws, levers, linear/angular motion, fluid mechanics, force vectors
Component 02: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance
- Skill acquisition
- Classification, learning theories, guidance and feedback, memory models
- Sports psychology
- Individual differences, group dynamics, aggression, motivation, confidence, leadership, stress management
Component 03: Socio-cultural and Contemporary Issues
- Sport and society
- Development of modern sport (pre-industrial to present)
- Rational recreation, social class, gender, globalisation
- Contemporary issues
- Ethics and deviance, commercialisation, media, technology in sport
Component 04: Performance in Physical Education
- Learner is assessed as a performer or coach in one chosen activity (from approved list)
- Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI)
- Verbal analysis and development plan based on observed performance .
Assessment structure
Component 01: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance (H555/01)
- Written paper: 2 hours
- 90 marks; 30% of A Level
- Section A: Applied anatomy and physiology
- Section B: Exercise physiology
- Section C: Biomechanics
Component 02: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance (H555/02)
- Written paper: 1 hour
- 60 marks; 20% of A Level
- Section A: Skill acquisition
- Section B: Sports psychology
Component 03: Socio-cultural and Contemporary Issues (H555/03)
- Written paper: 1 hour
- 60 marks; 20% of A Level
- Section A: Sport and society
- Section B: Contemporary issues
Component 04: Performance in Physical Education (H555/04)
- Non-exam assessment (NEA)
- 60 marks; 30% of A Level
- Performance in one activity (30 marks)
- EAPI assessment (30 marks)
- Internally assessed, externally moderated
Assessment Notes
- All theory exams include multiple choice, short and extended response questions
- NEA requires video evidence and a structured EAPI response .
Key tips for success
Doing well in your OCR A Level Physical Education (PE) isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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