AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE) specification (8582)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE 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 AQA GCSE 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 AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE) (8582) 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 AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
AQA’s GCSE Physical Education (PE) offers a comprehensive understanding of physical activity and sport through both theoretical knowledge and practical performance. The course is designed to motivate students and foster a lifelong interest in health, fitness and sport.
This qualification enables learners to: • explore how the human body and mind influence performance in physical activity and sport • understand socio-cultural influences and the benefits of physical activity on health and wellbeing • develop theoretical knowledge of movement, training and data in sport • enhance practical performance across three activities and analyse their own performance • apply knowledge to improve technique, decision-making and understanding of rules and strategies
By combining physical participation with sport science principles and psychological factors, learners gain a well-rounded education suited for further study or careers in sport and fitness industries:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 The human body and movement in physical activity and sport
- 3.1.1 Applied anatomy and physiology: Structure and function of skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems; aerobic/anaerobic exercise; short- and long-term effects of exercise
- 3.1.2 Movement analysis: Lever systems, planes and axes of movement
- 3.1.3 Physical training: Health and fitness; fitness components; fitness testing; principles of training (SPORT/FITT); methods of training; injury prevention; warm-ups/cool-downs; training seasons
- 3.1.4 Use of data: Data collection (qualitative/quantitative); data presentation (tables/graphs); data analysis
3.2 Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport
- 3.2.1 Sports psychology: Skill classification; goal setting (SMART); information processing model; types of guidance and feedback; arousal and stress management; aggression; personality types; motivation
- 3.2.2 Socio-cultural influences: Engagement patterns across social groups; commercialisation, sponsorship and media; technology in sport; ethical issues, drugs, spectator behaviour
- 3.2.3 Health, fitness and wellbeing: Physical, emotional and social benefits; sedentary lifestyle risks; obesity; somatotypes; diet and nutrition (macro- and micronutrients); hydration:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport
- 1 hour 15 minutes written exam
- 78 marks, 30% of GCSE
- Topics: Applied anatomy and physiology, Movement analysis, Physical training, Use of data
- Question types: Multiple choice, short answer, extended answer
Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport
- 1 hour 15 minutes written exam
- 78 marks, 30% of GCSE
- Topics: Sports psychology, Socio-cultural influences, Health, fitness and well-being, Use of data
- Question types: Multiple choice, short answer, extended answer
Non-exam assessment (NEA): Practical performance
- 40% of GCSE
- 100 marks (scaled to 104)
- Three physical activities: one team, one individual, and a third from either category
- Includes analysis and evaluation of performance
- Assessed through progressive drills and full-context performance, plus written analysis:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE 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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