GCSE PE Topics: Full List by Exam Board

Planning your GCSE PE revision? You're in the right place. Whether you're just starting the course or gearing up for exams, knowing exactly what topics you need to cover is absolutely essential.

Let's break down the GCSE PE topics you need to learn for the three main GCSE PE exam boards: AQA (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab) and Edexcel (opens in a new tab). We’ll organise them by exam board, so you can tackle your revision with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• GCSE PE is usually split 60% theory and 40% practical – you need to know both the academic content and perform well in three sports

• Topic lists vary slightly between AQA, OCR and Edexcel, so always check which exam board your school uses

• The theory covers anatomy, physiology, training methods, sports psychology, and socio-cultural issues in sport

• Understanding the topic structure early helps you create an effective revision plan and spot your weaker areas

How the GCSE PE Course Is Structured

Before diving into the topics, it's helpful to understand how GCSE PE is organised.

Theory Component (60% of your grade) You'll sit two written exams covering all the theoretical content. These exams test your knowledge of how the body works during exercise, training methods, psychology, and social issues in sport.

Practical Component (40% of your grade). You'll be assessed performing in three different physical activities. This is called the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA). It includes both your practical performance and a coursework or analysis task.

How Topics Link to Exams Each topic you study feeds directly into exam questions. Some topics appear more frequently than others. Certain areas require more detailed knowledge. Understanding the structure helps you prioritise your revision time effectively.

Now let's look at exactly what you'll be studying, starting with the most popular exam board.

AQA GCSE PE Topics

AQA is the most widely used exam board for GCSE PE. The course is divided into two main papers (60% total), each covering different topic areas. There is also the practical component (30%) and an analysis task (10%).

Paper 1: The Human Body and Movement in Physical Activity and Sport (78 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

The Structure and Functions of the Musculo-Skeletal System

• Functions of the skeleton (protection, support, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage)

• Classification of bones (long, short, flat, irregular)

• Structure of the skeleton (major bones)

• Muscles of the body and tendons

• Types of joints (hinge, ball and socket, pivot, condyloid)

• Movement at joints (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion)

• Antagonistic muscle pairs and joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle)

The Structure and Functions of the Cardio-Respiratory System

• Structure of the cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, blood)

• Functions of the cardiovascular system during exercise

• Structure of the respiratory system (lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, diaphragm, intercostal muscles)

• Mechanics of breathing (inspiration and expiration)

• Gaseous exchange at the alveoli and muscles

• Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

• Recovery from exercise (oxygen debt, EPOC)

Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise

• Anaerobic exercise and energy systems

• Aerobic exercise and energy systems

• Lactic acid and oxygen debt

• Recovery processes

The Short and Long Term Effects of Exercise

• Immediate effects of exercise on the body

• Short-term effects during and after exercise

• Long-term adaptations to training (cardiac hypertrophy, increased stroke volume, lower resting heart rate, improved muscle strength)

Movement Analysis

Lever Systems

• The three lever systems in the body (first class, second class, third class)

• Components of levers (fulcrum, load, effort)

• Mechanical advantage and disadvantage

• Lever systems in sporting actions

Planes and Axes of Movement

• The three planes of movement (sagittal, frontal, transverse)

• The three axes of rotation (frontal, sagittal, vertical)

• How movements occur around different planes and axes

• Sporting examples of movement in different planes

Physical Training

Components of Fitness

• Health-related components (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition)

• Skill-related components (agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, speed)

• How different sports require different fitness components

Applying the Principles of Training

• Specificity, progression, overload, reversibility (SPOR)

• Frequency, intensity, time, type (FITT)

• How to apply these principles to training programmes

Preventing Injury in Physical Activity and Training

• Importance of warm-up and cool-down

• Correct technique and appropriate clothing

• Protective equipment and checking equipment/facilities

• Appropriate level of competition

Training Methods

• Continuous training

• Fartlek training

• Interval training

• Circuit training

• Weight training

• Plyometric training

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

• Static, ballistic, and PNF stretching

Optimising Training and Preventing Injury

• Seasonal training (pre-season, competitive season, post-season)

• Tapering and peaking for competition

• Injury prevention strategies

Use of Data

Fitness Testing

• Tests for different components of fitness. (12-minute Cooper run, Harvard step test, one-rep max test, sit and reach test, Illinois agility test, vertical jump test, 30-metre sprint, grip dynamometer)

• How to conduct fitness tests

• Interpreting and analysing fitness test data

• Using data to plan training programmes

Collecting and Using Data

• Quantitative and qualitative data

• Objective and subjective data

• Using technology to collect data (heart rate monitors, GPS tracking, video analysis)

• Evaluating data to improve performance

Paper 2: Socio-Cultural Influences and Wellbeing in Physical Activity and Sport (78 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)

Sports Psychology

Classification of Skills

• Basic vs complex skills

• Open vs closed skills

• Gross vs fine skills

• Self-paced vs externally paced skills

Goal Setting

• SMART targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound)

• Short-term and long-term goals

• How goal setting improves performance

Guidance and Feedback

• Types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical)

• When to use different types of guidance

• Types of feedback (intrinsic, extrinsic, knowledge of results, knowledge of performance)

• Positive and negative feedback

Mental Preparation for Performance

• Mental rehearsal and visualisation

• Selective attention and concentration

• Positive thinking and self-talk

Arousal, Anxiety and Performance

• The relationship between arousal and performance

• The inverted-U theory

• How anxiety affects performance

• Strategies to control arousal (breathing techniques, mental rehearsal, positive self-talk)

Socio-Cultural Influences

Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups

• Factors affecting participation (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, family, work, education, time, cost, access, media coverage, role models)

• How different groups engage with sport differently

• Barriers to participation and how to overcome them

Commercialisation of Physical Activity and Sport

• The relationship between sport and media

• The relationship between sport and sponsorship

• Positive and negative impacts of commercialisation

• Technology in sport (performance enhancement, officiating, spectator experience)

Ethical and Socio-Cultural Issues in Physical Activity and Sport

• The use of performance-enhancing drugs (anabolic steroids, beta blockers, stimulants, diuretics, peptide hormones)

• The reasons athletes take drugs

• Consequences of taking drugs

• Violence in sport (causes and solutions)

• Sporting behaviour (sportsmanship vs gamesmanship)

• Blood doping and other illegal performance enhancements

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing

Physical, Emotional and Social Health, Fitness and Wellbeing

• The relationship between health and fitness

• The benefits of regular physical activity (physical, emotional, social)

• The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

• Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins)

• Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)

• Water and hydration

• Balanced diet for different types of performer

• Timing of dietary intake

• Energy balance and weight management

The Consequences of a Sedentary Lifestyle

• Obesity and being overweight

• Impact on cardiovascular health

• Impact on mental health

• Diabetes and other health conditions

Use of Data 

• Embedded throughout the paper where relevant

NEA: Analysing and Evaluating Performance (AEP) (10%)

• As part of the NEA, you'll analyse and evaluate your own performance in one activity

• Identify strengths and weaknesses

• Suggest improvements

The Practical Performance NEA is worth 30% (see more below)

Edexcel GCSE PE Topics

Edexcel (Pearson) structures their GCSE PE course slightly differently to AQA. There is a practical component (30%) and a personal exercise program task (10%). Here's what you'll cover across the two exam components (60% in total). 

Component 1: Fitness and Body Systems (36%, 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes)

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

• The structure and function of the skeletal system

• The structure and function of the muscular system

• Movement analysis (types of movement, planes of movement, lever systems)

• The structure and function of the cardiovascular system

• The structure and function of the respiratory system

• Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

• Short-term and long-term effects of exercise

Movement Analysis

• Lever systems and their use in physical activity

• Planes and axes of movement

• Analysis of movement in different sporting actions

Physical Training

• Components of fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, speed)

• Principles of training (specificity, progression, overload, reversibility, FITT)

• Training methods (continuous, fartlek, interval, circuit, weight, plyometric, flexibility, HIIT)

• Preventing injury (warm-up, cool-down, protective equipment)

• Fitness testing (different tests for different components)

• Analysing fitness test data

Use of Data

• Embedded throughout the paper 

Component 2: Health and Performance (24%, 60 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing

• Physical, emotional and social health benefits of exercise

• Consequences of a sedentary lifestyle

• Energy use, diet, nutrition and hydration

• Optimising training and performance

Sport Psychology

• Classification of skills

• The use of goal setting

• Types of guidance and feedback

• Mental preparation

• Arousal and anxiety in sport

Socio-Cultural Influences

• Engagement patterns in sport

• Commercialisation and media in sport

• Ethical and socio-cultural issues

• Sporting behaviour

• Performance-enhancing drugs

Use of Data

• Embedded throughout the paper 

NEA: Personal Exercise Program (PEP) (10%)

• As part of the NEA, you'll produce a personal exercise programme, and analyse and evaluate your performance 

• Monitor and suggest improvements

The Practical Performance NEA is worth 30% (see more below)

OCR GCSE PE Topics

OCR organises their GCSE PE specification into two examined papers plus the practical assessment and a written NEA task.

Paper 1: Physical Factors Affecting Performance (30%, 60 marks, 1 hour)

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

• The structure and function of the skeletal system

• The structure and function of the muscular system

• The cardiovascular system and its function during exercise

• The respiratory system and gaseous exchange

• Effects of exercise on body systems

Physical Training

• Components of fitness

• Applying principles of training

• Training methods

• Preventing injuries

• Warm-up and cool-down

• Fitness testing

Paper 2: Socio-Cultural Issues and Sports Psychology (30%, 60 marks, 1 hour)

Sports Psychology

• Skills and skill classification

• Goal setting (SMART targets)

• Information processing (input, decision making, output, feedback)

• Guidance and feedback

• Mental preparation

• Arousal and anxiety

Socio-Cultural Influences

• Factors affecting participation in sport

• Commercialisation of sport

• Ethical and socio-cultural issues in sport

• Technology in sport

• Conduct of performers

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing

• The relationship between health and fitness

• The benefits of physical activity

• Sedentary lifestyles and obesity

• Diet and nutrition

• Injuries in sport

NEA: Analysing and Evaluating Performance (AEP) (10%)

• As part of the NEA, you'll analyse and evaluate your own or a peer’s performance in one activity

• Identify strengths and weaknesses

• Suggest improvements

The Practical Performance NEA is worth 30% (see more below)

The Practical Performance NEA (30%)

The practical performance side of GCSE PE is similar across all boards.

How Many Sports Are Assessed? You'll be assessed in three physical activities. These must include at least one from each of the following categories:

• Team sports (football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, basketball, volleyball, etc.)

• Individual sports (athletics, swimming, gymnastics, badminton, tennis, etc.)

You might be able to include performance activities (dance, trampolining), depending on what your school offers.

How Is It Marked? Your practical performance accounts for 30% of your total GCSE grade. Each activity is marked out of 10-15 marks depending on the exam board. Your teacher assesses you based on:

• Skills and techniques

• Tactical awareness and decision-making

• Physical fitness and ability

• Performance under pressure

How to Use This Topic List for Revision

Now you've got the complete topic list, here's how to make the most of it:

Create a Revision Checklist Go through the topics and tick them off as you revise each one. This gives you a visual sense of progress and helps you see what's left to cover.

Colour-Code Your Confidence Use a traffic light system:

• Green – topics you're confident with

• Amber – topics you understand but need more practice

• Red – topics you struggle with and need serious revision time

Focus your revision on amber and red topics first, then revisit green topics closer to the exam.

Make Topic-Specific Flashcards. Create flashcards for each topic with key definitions, diagrams, and examples. You can make them digitally or go old-school with index cards.

Use Past Papers Topic by Topic. Rather than doing full past papers immediately, tackle questions topic by topic. This helps you test your knowledge in specific areas and identify gaps.

Link Theory to Your Practical Activities. When revising theory topics, always think about how they apply to your sports. For example, when learning about lever systems, analyse the levers used in your tennis serve or football kick. This makes the content more memorable and helps with the analysis task.

Create a Revision Timetable. Break down your revision across the remaining weeks before your exam. Allocate time to each topic based on how confident you feel and how heavily it's weighted in the exam. We have a handy guide to making a GCSE revision timetable for you.

Use Online Resources. Save My Exams offers topic-specific revision notes, quizzes, and exam-style questions. Check out our Physical Education GCSE revision resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all exam boards cover the same topics in GCSE PE?

Mostly, yes. All exam boards cover the core areas. These include anatomy and physiology, training methods, sports psychology, and socio-cultural influences. However, the depth of coverage and how topics are organised differs slightly. For example, AQA includes more detail on data analysis. OCR has a specific focus on performance analysis as part of the NEA. The practical assessment structure is identical across all boards (standardised in 2016). Always check your specific exam board's specification.

How much of the GCSE PE exam is theory vs practical?

The split is 60% theory and 40% practical across all exam boards. The theory component consists of two written exam papers. The practical component includes your performance in three activities (30%) plus an analysis task (10%). This means you absolutely cannot rely on being good at sport alone. The theory exams make up the majority of your grade. You need strong knowledge and written skills to do well overall.

Are the topics the same for Higher and Foundation tier?

There's actually no Foundation or Higher tier in GCSE PE – all students sit the same exams. This is different from subjects like Maths or Science where you choose a tier. Everyone is assessed on the same content, and grades 1-9 are all available to every student. The exams need to include a range of question difficulties. You'll find easier recall questions (worth 1-2 marks) alongside complex application and evaluation questions (worth 6-9 marks).

Final Thoughts

Understanding what topics you need to cover is the first step towards GCSE PE success. Whether you're following AQA, Edexcel, or OCR, the core content remains similar. You'll dive deep into how the body works during exercise and how to train effectively. You'll also look at psychological impacts and how society and culture influence sport.

The key is starting your revision early and working systematically through each topic. Don't just focus on the areas you find easy or interesting. Make sure you cover everything, especially your weaker areas. Connect your theoretical knowledge to your practical activities wherever possible. This makes the content more meaningful and memorable.

Use this topic list as your roadmap, tick things off as you go. You'll walk into your exams feeling confident and prepared. Good luck with your revision!