1-mark questions
About 17 × 1 mark · about 15 minutes in all
Which…? / Identify… / Name…
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
PE exam guide
OCR GCSE (9–1) Physical Education (J587). Two written papers and two pieces of non-exam assessment. Each paper has short questions in Section A, then questions on a sporting scenario in Section B, ending with one 6-mark extended response.
Paper 1: Physical factors affecting performance
1 hour · 60 marks · 30% of the GCSE
Applied anatomy and physiology, and physical training. You may use a calculator. The 6-mark question is marked with an asterisk (*) and often draws on Paper 2's topics too.
Section A: short questions (30 marks)
2-mark questions
About 5 × 2 marks · about 10 minutes in all
Explain, using an example from physical activity or sport, …
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
3-mark questions
3 marks · about 3 minutes
Describe… / Explain…, using examples
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
Section B: questions on a sporting scenario (30 marks)
Calculations
About 2 × 1 mark · about 2 minutes in all
Calculate…
Assesses: AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
Paper 1 exam skills · also: Fitness testing and data, The heart
2-mark questions
About 8 × 2 marks · about 16 minutes in all
Explain, using an example from physical activity or sport, …
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
3-mark questions
About 2 × 3 marks · about 6 minutes in all
Describe… / Explain…, using examples
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
Extended response (*)
6 marks · about 8 minutes
Describe… / Explain… / Discuss…, applied to a named activity or sport
Assesses: AO1 2, AO2 2, AO3 2
Marked: The extended response (6 marks)
Paper 2: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology
1 hour · 60 marks · 30% of the GCSE
Socio-cultural influences, sports psychology, and health, fitness and well-being. There's no calculator, but there may be data to describe. The 6-mark question is marked with an asterisk (*) and often draws on Paper 1's topics too.
Section A: short questions (30 marks)
1-mark questions
About 14 × 1 mark · about 12 minutes in all
Which…? / Identify… / Name…
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
2-mark questions
About 5 × 2 marks · about 10 minutes in all
Explain, using an example from physical activity or sport, …
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
3-mark questions
About 2 × 3 marks · about 6 minutes in all
Describe… / Explain…, using examples
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
Section B: questions on a sporting scenario (30 marks)
1-mark questions
About 5 × 1 mark · about 4 minutes in all
Which…? / Identify… / Name…
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
2-mark questions
About 2 × 2 marks · about 4 minutes in all
Explain, using an example from physical activity or sport, …
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
3-mark questions
About 5 × 3 marks · about 15 minutes in all
Describe… / Explain…, using examples
Assesses: AO1, AO2, AO3 (the split varies by question)
Marked: one mark for each correct point
Extended response (*)
6 marks · about 8 minutes
Describe… / Explain… / Discuss…, applied to a named activity or sport
Assesses: AO1 2, AO2 2, AO3 2
Marked: The extended response (6 marks)
Suggested minutes are a guide: about a mark a minute, saving time on the 1-mark questions for the 6-mark answer. The numbers of each kind of question are from the June 2025 papers and change from year to year: in 2024, some questions were worth 4 marks, and a 6-mark question can be marked a mark per point instead of in levels.
Assessment objectives
What examiners give marks for. Each question tests one or more of these.
| AO | What it means | Share of the GCSE | Assessed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Show knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport. | 25% | Paper 1: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Extended response (*); Paper 2: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Extended response (*) |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport. | 20% | Paper 1: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Calculations, Extended response (*); Paper 2: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Extended response (*) |
| AO3 | Analyse and evaluate the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport. | 15% | Paper 1: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Calculations, Extended response (*); Paper 2: 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 3-mark questions, Extended response (*) |
Levels
Examiners place an answer in a level, then choose a mark within it. The key words show what each level rewards.
The extended response (6 marks)
| Level | Marks | Key words | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5–6 | Detailed, effective | Detailed knowledge, applied clearly to the sport throughout, effective analysis or evaluation, and relevant ideas from other parts of the course, in a well-structured answer with accurate specialist terms. |
| 2 | 3–4 | Satisfactory, some success | Satisfactory knowledge, some success in applying it and in analysing or evaluating, and some ideas from other parts of the course, with some structure. |
| 1 | 1–2 | Basic, little or no | Basic knowledge, with little or no application or analysis, in an unstructured answer. Knowledge alone stays in this level. |
Command words
The word that starts a question tells you what to do.
| Command words | What to do |
|---|---|
| Identify, name, state | Give a word or a short phrase. (AO1) |
| Describe | Say what something is or what it is like. (AO1) |
| Explain | Say how or why, usually with an example from sport. (AO1 and AO2) |
| Apply, or 'using an example from…' | Link your knowledge to a specific action in the sport named. (AO2) |
| Analyse, evaluate, discuss | Weigh up the points, such as strengths against weaknesses, and reach a judgement. (AO3) |
Non-exam assessment
40% of the GCSE
Component 04, Practical Performances (60 marks, 30% of the GCSE): three activities from OCR's approved lists, at least one team and one individual, assessed as a performer in competitive situations.
Component 05, Analysing and Evaluating Performance (20 marks, 10% of the GCSE): a written task, done under controlled conditions, analysing one performance, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses, and planning how to improve it.
Both assess AO4 (demonstrate and apply skills; analyse and evaluate performance). Your teacher assesses them, and OCR checks a sample of each school's marking.
Practical performance · also: Analysing and evaluating performance