A Level PE Topics by Exam Board: Full List

If you're studying A Level PE, knowing exactly which topics you need to cover can make planning your revision much easier.

This guide breaks down the A Level PE topics for AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas and WJEC. You’ll discover what content will be included on each exam paper and what your practical assessment covers.

Find your exam board – then use the list of topics to check what you’ve learned and how to plan your revision effectively.

Key Takeaways

• A Level PE topics include anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, skill acquisition, sport psychology and sport in society.

• AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas and WJEC cover similar areas, but group and assess their topics differently.

• Written exams and practical assessments both contribute to your A Level PE grade; the components and weightings depend on your exam board.

• Use the topic list for your board to spot gaps in your knowledge, organise revision and practise the right exam questions.

Why It's Important to Know Your Exam Board

Although A Level PE covers similar subjects across exam boards, the topics, papers and practical assessments aren't exactly the same. If you’re not looking at the right specification, you could end up revising stuff you don’t actually need – or missing something you do. 

If you’re not sure which exam board and course code your school uses, then don’t be afraid to ask! Your PE teacher will be able to tell you exactly what to look for.

Once you know, you can work through the topic list and feel confident you’ve covered everything you need before your exams. 

AQA A Level PE Topics (7582)

AQA A Level PE is divided into seven main topics, covering everything from how the body responds to exercise to the psychology and social influences behind sporting performance.

The first three topics are assessed in Paper 1, while the remaining four are assessed in Paper 2. You'll also need to apply knowledge from different parts of the course when answering some exam questions.

1. Applied Anatomy and Physiology

What happens to your heart rate when you exercise? How do your muscles get the energy they need to keep moving?

This topic explores how the body's different systems work together during physical activity, and how they respond to exercise and recovery.

Topics include:

• Cardiovascular system and how it responds to exercise

• Respiratory system and gaseous exchange

• Neuromuscular system and muscle contraction

• Movement analysis, joints and muscles

• Energy systems and ATP

2. Skill Acquisition

Whether you're learning to serve in tennis or improving your passing in football, developing a skill takes practice.

You'll explore how sporting skills are learned and improved, including how performers process information, respond to feedback and develop more effective techniques.

Topics include:

• Characteristics and classification of skills

• Information processing and decision-making

• Memory, feedback and practice methods

• Stages and theories of learning

• Guidance and transfer of learning

3. Sport and Society

Sport has changed enormously over time, from traditional games in pre-industrial Britain to today's global sporting events.

You'll look at how modern sport developed and explore how factors such as gender, class, ethnicity and disability can affect opportunities to participate.

Topics include:

• Pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial sport

• Public schools and the development of modern sport

• Gender, class, ethnicity and disability in participation

• Commercialisation, media and sponsorship

• Globalisation and major sporting events

4. Exercise Physiology

Why do athletes train in different ways? And how can nutrition and recovery help improve their performance?

Exercise physiology explores how the body adapts to training and how performers can develop their fitness, prepare for competition and recover from injury.

Topics include:

• Fitness testing and training methods

• Principles of training and periodisation

• Injury prevention and rehabilitation

• Diet and nutrition

• Preparation and recovery for performance

5. Biomechanical Movement

Biomechanics is the study of movement and the forces that affect it. You'll learn how scientific principles can explain sporting techniques, from the flight of a football to the movement of a gymnast.

You'll also explore how athletes can use these principles to improve their performance.

Topics include:

• Newton's laws and force

• Linear motion and angular motion

• Levers and mechanical advantage

• Projectile motion

• Fluid mechanics

6. Sport Psychology

Physical ability isn't the only thing that affects performance. Confidence, motivation, anxiety and teamwork can all make a difference.

In this topic, you'll explore how psychological factors influence individuals and teams, and how performers can develop strategies to manage pressure and improve their performance.

Topics include:

• Personality, attitudes and motivation

• Arousal and anxiety

• Aggression and social facilitation

• Group dynamics and leadership

• Goal setting and confidence

7. Sport and Society and the Role of Technology in Physical Activity and Sport

From video-assisted refereeing to performance-enhancing drugs, modern sport raises questions about fairness, ethics and the use of technology.

You'll examine some of the challenges facing sport today and consider how technology can influence participation, performance and decision-making.

Topics include:

• Ethics and deviance in sport

• Drugs and performance-enhancing methods

• Violence and spectator behaviour

• Technology in equipment, training and officiating

• Impact of technology on performers and sport

What Is Covered in AQA A Level PE Papers 1 and 2?

AQA A Level PE has two written papers and a non-exam assessment (NEA), which covers practical performance and analysis.

Each written paper is worth 105 marks and includes multiple-choice questions, short answers and extended writing.

Remember that questions can ask you to use knowledge from different topics, so it's important to revise the whole specification.

You can find the full topic requirements in the AQA A Level PE specification (opens in a new tab).

Pearson Edexcel A Level PE Topics (9PE0)

Pearson Edexcel divides A Level PE into five main topics. You'll study the science behind sporting performance, how athletes develop their skills and the psychological and social factors that influence sport.

Topics 1 and 2 are covered in the first written paper, while Topics 3–5 are assessed in the second. You'll also complete two non-exam assessments covering practical performance and performance analysis.

1. Applied Anatomy and Physiology

How does your body respond when you start exercising? What makes your muscles contract, your heart beat faster and your breathing change?

You'll explore how the body's different systems work together to support movement, produce energy and meet the demands of physical activity.

Topics include:

• Cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems

• Skeletal system and movement

• Neuromuscular function and muscle fibres

• Energy systems and their use in sport

• Force, stability and movement principles

2. Exercise Physiology and Applied Movement Analysis

From improving endurance to recovering after an injury, athletes use training and fitness programmes to prepare their bodies for performance.

This topic explores how exercise, nutrition and recovery affect the body. You'll also study biomechanics, looking at how forces and different types of motion influence sporting techniques.

Topics include:

• Diet, nutrition, fatigue and recovery

• Fitness components and training methods

• Training programmes and physiological adaptations

• Motion, forces and biomechanics

• Injury prevention and rehabilitation

3. Skill Acquisition

Think about learning a new sporting skill. What helps you improve, and why do some practice methods work better than others?

Skill acquisition looks at how performers learn, practise and refine their techniques. You'll explore different learning theories, how information is processed and the role of coaching, guidance and feedback.

Topics include:

• Skill classification and stages of learning

• Learning theories and practice methods

• Guidance and feedback

• Information processing and memory

• Transfer of skills

4. Sport Psychology

Two athletes might have the same physical ability but perform very differently under pressure.

You'll explore how motivation, confidence, anxiety and other psychological factors affect performance. You'll also examine how individuals behave in teams and how leadership and goal setting can influence success.

Topics include:

• Personality and motivation

• Arousal, anxiety and stress

• Confidence and goal setting

• Group dynamics and leadership

• Attitudes and sporting behaviour

5. Sport and Society

Sport is about more than what happens on the pitch. It's influenced by history, culture, politics, money and the media.

In this topic, you'll explore how sport has developed over time, why opportunities to participate aren't always equal and how issues such as commercialisation and ethics affect modern sport.

Topics include:

• Development of sport and physical activity

• Participation and social inequality

• Commercialisation, media and sponsorship

• Global sporting events and their impact

• Ethics and contemporary issues

What Is Covered in Pearson Edexcel A Level PE Components 1–4?

Pearson Edexcel A Level PE includes two written exams and two non-exam assessments (NEA). Together, the practical components make up 30% of your final grade.

Component 1 is worth 140 marks and Component 2 is worth 100 marks. Both written papers include short-answer, long-answer and extended-answer questions.

Remember that some extended questions require you to draw on knowledge from different parts of the course, so make sure your revision covers all five topics.

You can find the full topic requirements in the Pearson Edexcel A Level PE specification. (opens in a new tab)

OCR A Level PE Topics (H555)

OCR A Level PE is divided into three main theory areas, covering the science behind physical activity, the psychology of performance and the role of sport in society.

Each area has its own written exam. You'll also complete two non-exam assessments, covering practical performance and the evaluation of another performer's skills.

1. Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

What happens inside your body when you exercise? And how can understanding the science of movement help athletes improve their performance?

This area explores how the body's systems respond to physical activity, how training affects fitness and how forces and movement influence sporting techniques.

Topics include:

• Applied anatomy and physiology: Skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems; energy for exercise; environmental effects on the body

• Exercise physiology: Diet, nutrition and training methods; physiological adaptations; injury prevention and rehabilitation

• Biomechanics: Newton's laws, forces and levers; linear and angular motion; fluid mechanics and projectile motion

2. Psychological Factors Affecting Performance

Sporting success isn't just about physical ability. How well you learn a skill, cope with pressure or work with teammates can make a real difference to your performance.

You'll explore how skills are developed and how psychological factors influence individuals and teams.

Topics include:

• Skill acquisition: Skill classification, stages and theories of learning, practice methods, transfer of learning, guidance and feedback

• Information processing: Memory models and how performers receive, process and respond to information

• Sports psychology: Personality, attitudes, motivation, arousal, anxiety and aggression

• Group performance: Social facilitation, group dynamics, leadership and team cohesion

• Psychological strategies: Goal setting, confidence, self-efficacy and stress management

3. Socio-cultural Issues in Physical Activity and Sport

From the Olympic Games to the influence of social media and sponsorship, sport reflects the society around it.

You'll explore how sport has changed throughout history and examine the social, cultural and ethical issues that affect participation and performance today.

Topics include:

• Sport and society: The development of modern sport, from pre-industrial Britain to the present day

• Social and cultural influences: Social class, gender, participation and the impact of global sporting events

• Ethics and deviance: Performance-enhancing drugs, violence and gambling in sport

• Commercialisation: Sponsorship, the media and the relationship between sport and business

• Contemporary issues: Routes to sporting excellence and the impact of modern technology on performers and spectators

What Is Covered in OCR A Level PE Components 01–06?

OCR A Level PE has three written papers and two non-exam assessments (NEA). The written exams account for 70% of your final grade, while practical performance and evaluation make up the remaining 30%.

The written papers are worth 90 marks, 60 marks and 60 marks respectively.

For Component 06, you'll observe a live or recorded performance by another student and give an oral analysis of their strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

OCR uses Components 01, 02, 03, 05 and 06 for the A Level, so don't worry about the missing Component 04 in the numbering.

You can find the full topic requirements and assessment details in the OCR A Level PE specification (opens in a new tab).

WJEC Eduqas A Level PE Topics (A550QS)

Eduqas A Level PE covers five main areas of study, bringing together the science of exercise, sporting performance, psychology and the role of sport in society.

Unlike some exam boards, Eduqas doesn't divide the topics between its two written papers. Questions from any of the five areas can appear in either exam, so you'll need to revise the whole specification.

1. Exercise Physiology, Training and Performance

Why does your heart beat faster when you exercise? And how do athletes train their bodies to perform at their best?

You'll explore how physical activity affects the body, from the immediate responses to exercise to the changes that develop through regular training. You'll also study how nutrition and recovery influence performance.

Topics include:

• Health, fitness and the benefits of exercise

• Short- and long-term responses to exercise

• Training methods, preparation and energy systems

• Diet, nutrition and hydration

• Fatigue, recovery and performance

2. Movement Analysis, Technology and Biomechanics

From the angle of a high jumper's take-off to the forces acting on a swimmer, science can help explain how athletes move.

This topic explores how the body's muscles and joints produce movement, how forces affect sporting performance and how technology can be used to analyse and improve techniques.

Topics include:

• Musculo-skeletal system and movement

• Linear and angular motion

• Forces, levers and fluid mechanics

• Performance analysis

• Technology used in sport

3. Sport Psychology

An athlete's confidence, motivation and attitude can all affect how they perform, particularly when they're competing under pressure.

You'll examine the psychological factors that influence sporting behaviour and explore how performers can develop confidence, manage their emotions and improve their performance.

Topics include:

• Attitudes and behaviour

• Motivation and achievement

• Confidence and self-efficacy

• Social facilitation

• Psychological strategies for performance

4. Skill Acquisition

Think about learning a new skill, such as a tennis serve or a gymnastics routine. What helps you improve, and how do you know when you've mastered it?

Skill acquisition explores how performers learn and develop techniques, from the early stages of practice through to performing skills confidently and consistently.

Topics include:

• Skill classification and ability

• Learning theories and stages of learning

• Practice and guidance

• Feedback and reinforcement

• Reaction time and information processing

5. Sport and Society

Sport has always been influenced by the world around it. From the development of modern sport in Britain to its role in national identity, physical activity reflects social and cultural changes.

You'll study how sport has evolved, the role it plays in society and the ways it can influence people's lives and opportunities.

Topics include:

• Sport, culture and society

• Development of modern sport

• Sport as a political and social influence

• Participation and inequality

• Contemporary issues in sport

What Is Covered in Eduqas A Level PE Components 1–3?

Eduqas A Level PE has two written papers and one non-exam assessment (NEA). The written papers each contribute 35% of your final grade, while practical performance and analysis make up the remaining 30%.

You should also be prepared to apply knowledge from different topics in the same answer. Eduqas places particular emphasis on understanding how the areas of study connect, rather than treating them as separate subjects.

You can find the full topic requirements and assessment details in the Eduqas A Level PE specification (opens in a new tab).

WJEC A Level PE Topics (1550QS)

WJEC offers a separate A Level PE qualification in Wales. The course combines the science of sporting performance with psychology, skill development and the role of sport in society.

There are four main theory areas, studied across AS and A2. You'll complete two written exams and two non-exam assessments, with your AS results contributing 40% of your final A Level grade.

1. Exercise Physiology, Performance Analysis and Training

What happens to your body during exercise, and how can athletes use scientific knowledge to improve their performance?

This area explores how the body moves, produces energy and responds to training. You'll also learn how performers analyse their techniques, adapt their training and use nutrition and recovery to support performance.

Topics include:

• Performance analysis and the coaching process

• Movement analysis, joints and the musculo-skeletal system

• Preparation, training methods and fitness development

• Energy systems and recovery

• Short- and long-term effects of exercise

• Diet, nutrition and sporting performance

• Biomechanical principles, including forces and motion

2. Sport Psychology

A talented athlete might perform brilliantly in training but struggle under the pressure of competition. Why does this happen?

Sport psychology examines how thoughts, emotions and behaviour influence performance. You'll explore the factors that motivate athletes, how performers respond to pressure and the importance of teamwork and leadership.

Topics include:

• Personality and its influence on performance

• Stress, arousal and anxiety

• Motivation and self-efficacy

• Attitudes and sporting behaviour

• Aggression and social facilitation

• Group dynamics and leadership

• Attribution theory and explanations of sporting success or failure

3. Skill Acquisition

From learning a new swimming stroke to perfecting a gymnastics routine, developing sporting skills involves much more than repetition.

You'll explore how skills are learned, how performers develop their abilities and how the brain processes information to produce effective movement.

Topics include:

• Differences between skill and ability

• Classification of sporting skills

• Learning and skill development

• Information processing and decision-making

4. Sport and Society

Sport doesn't exist in isolation. It's shaped by history, culture, social attitudes and the media.

You'll examine how modern sport developed, why opportunities to participate can differ between social groups and how commercialisation and ethical issues influence sport today.

Topics include:

• Sport, culture and the emergence of modern sport

• Social differentiation and participation

• Ethics and deviance in sport

• Media, commercialisation and globalisation

• Pathways from mass participation to elite sport

What Is Covered in WJEC A Level PE Units 1–4?

WJEC A Level PE is assessed through four units. Units 1 and 2 are taken at AS level, while Units 3 and 4 are completed at A2.

The AS units make up 40% of your final A Level grade, while the A2 units account for 60%.

It's important to keep revisiting the topics you studied at AS because Unit 3 can assess knowledge from across the full course. Remember to plan time for your practical performance and research work too.

You can find the complete topic breakdown and assessment requirements in the WJEC A Level PE specification (opens in a new tab).

How to Use Topic Lists for Revision

There's a lot to cover in A Level PE, but a topic list can help make your revision feel much more manageable. Instead of working through everything in order, use the lists above to work out what you already know and where you need more practice.

Turn the lists into a checklist. Find your exam board and tick off the topics you've already covered. Keep the list handy so you can see what still needs your attention.

Use the traffic light system. Mark topics red if you're struggling, amber if you're getting there and green if you feel confident. Start with your red topics and watch them move towards green as you improve.

Test yourself with exam questions. Once you've revised a topic, try some exam-style questions and check your answers against the mark scheme. This will help you spot where you're losing marks and what you need to work on.

Mix up your revision. Rather than spending a whole week on anatomy, try alternating between science, psychology and sport in society. Revisiting topics regularly can help the information stick.

Don't forget the practical assessments. Your performance and analysis or evaluation work count towards your final grade too, so make sure you allow time to prepare for these alongside your written exams.

For more advice about the course, take a look at our guide to A Level PE. You can also use Save My Exams past papers and mark schemes to practise answering questions for your exam board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to revise all A Level PE topics for the exam?

Yes. You should revise every topic listed in your exam board's specification, even if certain areas are usually assessed in particular papers. Some questions will ask you to bring together knowledge from different parts of the course.

Are these topics the same across all exam boards?

The main topics are broadly similar, including anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, skill acquisition, sport psychology and sport and society.

However, exam boards organise these topics differently, and the content, exam papers and assessment weightings can vary. Always check the specification for your own exam board.

How do I know which topics I struggle with most?

Try answering a few exam-style questions from each topic without looking at your notes. Then check your answers against the mark scheme to see where you're losing marks.

Use the traffic light system to mark topics you're confident with and those that need more practice. This will help you decide what to revise first.

Do all topics come up in every exam paper?

No. Some exam boards assess particular topics in specific papers, while others can test a wider range of content in each exam.

Not every subtopic will necessarily appear in an exam, but you should prepare for the full specification rather than trying to predict which questions might come up.

Final Thoughts

Knowing which A Level PE topics you need to cover means you can spend less time wondering what to revise and more time improving your knowledge and skills.

Use your exam board's topic list as a checklist, focus on the areas you find most challenging and practise applying what you've learned to exam questions.

And don't forget your practical assessments! Both theory and performance contribute to your final A Level grade, so make time for each as you prepare for your exams.

References

• AQA – A Level Physical Education Specification (7582) (opens in a new tab)

• Pearson Edexcel – A Level Physical Education Specification (9PE0) (opens in a new tab)

• OCR – A Level Physical Education Specification (H555) (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC Eduqas – A Level Physical Education Specification (A550QS) (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC – AS/A Level Physical Education Specification (1550QS) (opens in a new tab)

• Save My Exams – What Is A Level PE?