What is IGCSE Physical Education? Overview for Students

IGCSE Physical Education (PE) is much more than playing sports. It’s a course that teaches you how the body works, why athletes train the way they do, and what it takes to perform at the highest level - all while developing your own practical skills. 

This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can feel confident choosing, starting or succeeding in the subject.

Key Takeaways

• IGCSE PE combines sports science with practical performance, giving students both physical skill development and a strong understanding of how the body works.

• The course covers anatomy, training, psychology and social influences, helping students understand performance from multiple angles.

• Assessment is 50% written exam and 50% practical performance across four chosen physical activities.

• Students build transferable skills including analysis, teamwork, discipline, time management and evaluation.

What is IGCSE Physical Education?

IGCSE Physical Education is a qualification that blends sports science with practical performance. Students learn how the body moves, how training improves fitness, and how psychological and social factors influence performance. 

Alongside this, they are assessed in physical activities of their choice. It’s an excellent subject for students who:

• Enjoy sport and physical activity.

• Are curious about how the body and mind work in athletic performance.

• Want a balanced subject that mixes practical and theoretical learning.

• Are considering future studies in health, fitness, sports science or physical education.

What Topics Are Covered in the IGCSE PE Course?

There are two IGCSE PE courses: Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education 0413 (opens in a new tab) and Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Physical Education 0995 (opens in a new tab). The key difference between the two is the grading system. 

The content for both is identical. There are four theoretical areas:

Anatomy and Physiology

This area helps you understand how your body works during exercise.

• Learn how your skeleton gives structure and protects organs, and how joints allow for different movements.

• Study the muscles used for movement, including how they contract and their role in physical activity.

• Understand the respiratory system: how you breathe and how oxygen gets into your bloodstream during exercise.

• Explore the circulatory system (heart and blood) and how it efficiently transports oxygen and nutrients around the body.

• Discover the effects of exercise on your body's systems, both immediately and over a long period of time.

Health, Fitness and Training

You'll learn how to get fitter, how to stay healthy and how to train effectively.

• Define health and fitness and understand the importance of a balanced, active lifestyle.

• Learn about the 11 different components of fitness, like strength, speed and cardiovascular endurance.

• Explore different methods of training (e.g. circuit, interval, continuous) and how to apply them effectively.

• Master the principles of training (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type (FITT), specificity) to create safe and effective training programs.

• Understand injury prevention and the steps for treating common sport-related injuries such as sprains and strains.

Skill Acquisition and Psychology

This focuses on how we learn new movements and the mental side of performance.

• Learn to classify skills (e.g. open/closed, simple/complex) and how to effectively teach or perform them.

• Study the stages of learning a new skill, from thinking a lot about it to performing it instinctively.

• Understand the role of feedback in improving performance, including what makes feedback effective and helpful.

• Explore motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and how it affects a performer's effort and dedication.

• Investigate different types of guidance (visual, verbal) and how coaches use them to help athletes learn new techniques.

Social, Cultural and Ethical Influences

This section covers the big picture: how sport affects society and the issues surrounding it.

• Examine the impact of culture and society on participation in physical activity, including gender and age.

• Understand the roles in sport (performer, official, coach) and how technology is changing the sporting landscape.

• Explore the ethical issues in sport, such as sportsmanship, gamesmanship and the concept of fair play.

• Discuss the dangers and consequences of using performance-enhancing drugs in competitive sport.

• Analyse the importance of sponsorship and the media in professional sport and its effect on spectator events.

How is IGCSE Physical Education Assessed?

Both IGCSE PE courses are assessed in two ways - a combination of exam and coursework. Below is a description of the two components used to determine your final grade:

Component 1: Theory Paper (50%)

Written exam - 100 marks

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Format: Short-answer and structured questions

Content: All the topics listed above

You’ll answer questions that test:

• Knowledge and understanding.

• Application of theory to real-life sport examples.

• Data interpretation (graphs, training plans, heart-rate charts).

• Evaluation of training methods and performance strategies.

This component is externally assessed.

Component 2: Practical Performance (50%)

Coursework - 100 marks

You will be assessed in four physical activities, chosen from a list approved by Cambridge. At least one must be an individual activity and at least one must be a team activity.

Examiners grade you on:

• Technical skill (how well you perform key skills),

• Tactics / strategies (how you apply skills in realistic situations),

• Control, accuracy and consistency,

• Overall effectiveness in performance.

This component is internally assessed and externally moderated. That means your teachers will be gathering evidence, such as video footage.

Choosing Your Practical Activities

The coursework component assesses a candidate’s performance in four physical activities. Each activity is marked out of 25 marks.

Candidates must undertake physical activities from at least two of the seven categories listed below:

1. Games - e.g. Football, Badminton, Rounders, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Rugby, Squash, Table Tennis or Tennis.

2. Gymnastic Activities - e.g. Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Individual Figure Skating or Trampolining.

3. Dance Activities - e.g. Dance.

4. Athletic Activities - e.g. Cross-Country Running, Cycling, Rowing, Track and Field, Athletics or Weight Training for Fitness.

5. Outdoor and Adventurous Activities - e.g. Canoeing, Hill Walking or Orienteering, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Skiing or Snowboarding or Windsurfing.

6. Swimming - e.g. Competitive Swimming, Life Saving or Water Polo.

7. Combat Activities - e.g. Judo or Taekwondo.

Ideally, you should choose physical activities you enjoy and in which you can demonstrate strong performance. You should also consider access to facilities and great coaches. The better your technical skill, the higher your practical grade.

Skills You’ll Develop in IGCSE PE

Taking IGCSE PE helps you build valuable academic, physical and personal skills:

• Physical literacy: Better control, coordination and fitness.

• Analytical thinking: Understanding how and why performance improves.

• Sports science awareness: Applying anatomy, physiology and psychology to real situations.

• Teamwork: Communicating and cooperating in group sports.

• Self-discipline: Managing training, time and personal goals.

• Evaluation skills: Identifying strengths and weaknesses in performance.

These skills matter far beyond the subject. Many of these are also transferable skills that will enhance your life chances and your value to employers.

Tips for Success in IGCSE PE

Balancing Training and Theory

This course is unique because it demands both physical performance and academic study. To keep both strong:

• Create a weekly schedule that includes training and theory revision.

• Avoid overtraining - rest is essential for learning and performance.

• Keep track of your strengths and weaknesses in each component.

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistently excellent performance over a period of time is key.

Using Real-World Examples

Many exam questions include real-world sports examples. When answering these questions, you are expected to demonstrate knowledge and apply that knowledge to each scenario.

Here’s a section of a recent exam question:

Goal: “To improve my personal best time for 100 metres by 0.2 seconds by the end of the season.” Identify three named SMARTER goal-setting principles.

Here’s how you could answer this question:

Each of your targets should demonstrate knowledge (e.g. circulatory system or FITT) and be SMART (Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic; Time-phased). Provided you do these things, there is a lot of flexibility in terms of how you choose to answer this question. There is more than one way to crack an egg!

Practise Past Papers and Improve Exam Technique

Past papers help you understand:

• Question style - e.g. the use of images and photographs.

• Timing - 100 marks in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

• How marks are awarded - AO1 (Knowledge) and AO2 (Application).

• What examiners are looking for in high-scoring answers.

Aim to practise under timed conditions and compare your work with mark schemes and model answers.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

As with all IGCSEs, Physical Education is a demanding course. How it differs is that your success is reliant on your body (as well as your mind). Below is a list of common challenges students face.

Struggling with Theory Content

If the theory aspect of the course feels overwhelming:

• Break topics down into small sections.

• Use diagrams and flowcharts (especially for body systems).

• Practise explaining concepts out loud.

• Make revision cards with definitions and examples.

Repetition builds confidence and will improve your subject knowledge.

Injuries During the Course

Injuries can affect your practical grades. If this happens:

• Tell your teacher immediately.

• Focus on theory revision while recovering.

• Choose alternative sports, if necessary.

• Obtain medical evidence - the exam board may ask to see this.

Your school will guide you through the process - work closely with relevant members of staff.

Not Meeting Performance Standards

If your chosen activities feel too challenging:

• Ask for targeted feedback from PE staff.

• Use video analysis to check technique.

• Add specific fitness training to support your sport.

• Practise regularly in realistic performance conditions.

Improvement comes from purposeful, consistent training - practice makes perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be good at all sports to take IGCSE PE?

No. You only need to perform well in four physical activities, and you can choose those that suit your strengths. That being said, a love of sport will definitely help you excel in this course.

What counts as an acceptable activity for assessment?

Only activities listed in the official Cambridge syllabus. These include most major sports, plus some individual disciplines such as dance or athletics. See the Cambridge IGCSE PE syllabus for a full list of acceptable physical activities.

Is IGCSE PE mostly practical or theoretical?

It’s a 50/50 split. Half your grade comes from the written exam and half from physical performance.

How is IGCSE PE useful for future careers?

It supports pathways into: sports science, physiotherapy, fitness and coaching, physical education teaching, sports management, and health and wellbeing careers.

In addition, all employers will value the various skills you will develop while studying this course.

Final Thoughts

IGCSE Physical Education offers a powerful mix of sport, science and real-world skills. It gives you the chance to improve your physical performance while understanding exactly how the body works and why effective training methods make a difference. With steady practice, solid theory revision, and the right physical activity choices, you will thrive in this subject.

References

• Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education (0413): (opens in a new tab)https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-physical-education-0413/ (opens in a new tab)

• Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Physical Education (0995): (opens in a new tab)https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-physical-education-0995/ (opens in a new tab)