PE

GCSE PE A-A* Guide

Practical: 

You need to submit four strong sports and be aiming to achieve between 75 – 80 marks.

You need to score 10 out of 10 on your Key Process C.

Theory:

There are two main factors that make an A-A* on the theory paper.

Revision!

You need to know:
All topics in the revision book issued to you.
Keys words related to each topic.
Definition of key words.
A deepened understanding of the impact of all theory topics on health/performance/participation.

Exam Technique:

UNDERSTANDING what the question is asking you. There are many different command words, therefore lots of different ways to write your answers. These include state/what is/identify/define/describe/explain/give an example of...

Questions are also given different marks. Each type of question requires certain structures.

1 mark questions are usually asking you to identify a certain topic, give a definition or an example. E.g. Q. what type of guidance would be useful to a beginner? A. Visual guidance.

2 mark questions usually ask you to state and describe a particular topic. In these questions pupils tend to go into too much detail and start explaining an impact rather than describing a topic. E.g. Q state and describe a training method that a games player would use. 

Correct answer (this is a description):

A games player would fartlek training. This is known as speed play where a performer would use a combination of walking, jogging and sprinting. They could also use different terrains.

Incorrect answer (this is an explanation)

A games player would use fartlek training this is because it improves their cardiovascular endurance and replicates many games situations.

4 mark questions usually ask you to state and describe OR state and explain two topics in your answer. In these answers you must go into detail about an impact. This impact will vary depending on the question. In the example below the impact must be related to improving players performances.

E.g. Q. State and explain two qualities an effective coach would need to improve players performances.

An effective coach would need to have communication skills in order to clearly articulate strengths and weaknesses of a performer. This means a performer would know exactly what to do to improve.

A coach would also need to have good knowledge and understand of the game and specific skills so that they can teach their performers the best ways in which to beat their opponent. Without deep knowledge and understanding of the sport the coach wouldn’t know what to prioritise when trying to improve their players.

6 mark questions – this is when you MUST be sure on what the question is asking you to do by underlining or highlighting the command words. Always look at the total amount of marks and how many topics it would like you to mention. Look at the question below – it is asking you to identify two different areas of a balanced diet but it is a 6 mark question. To get full marks you need to make sure you are making three points per topic.

E.g. Q. Name two components of a diet that will help a Netballer in the final 10 minutes of a match.

The first component is complex carbohydrates, for example pasta. This will provide the Netball player with a slow release of energy. This will mean they will have energy to perform in the last 10 minutes whilst other players may be feeling tired. This energy will mean their skill level doesn’t drop due to fatigue.

The second component would be protein, for example chicken. This helps to build and repair muscles. A netballer would need to have protein in their diet so they can develop muscular endurance, strength and power in training. This will help a netballer in the last 10 minutes of a game as they will be able to jump high when trying to intercept the ball. If a player didn’t have muscular endurance then they would be too tired to jump at the end of a match and not be as successful when defending.

8 mark questions – you must write 3 fully developed paragraphs which follow a similar structure to: state – describe – explain an impact – give an example related to the question or scenario.

Q: Westshore Netball Club train throughout the year at their local community centre and compete in a league from September to April.

Using your knowledge of the training year, explain how each season could contribute to improving a player’s performance at Westshore Netball Club.

A: The club could have a period of pre-season training before the league starts where they focus on improving aerobic fitness levels. This could be continuous training such as long distance jogs or interval training where there are alternate periods of high and low intensity which will help develop aerobic fitness.

Sessions could also include weight training which will develop muscular endurance so that fatigue does not develop late in games. Alongside this they could run skill sessions to develop techniques so that they are prepared for the start of the league. During peak-season, when the league is taking place the club just need to maintain the players fitness as they are playing matches every week. Therefore training sessions will not be too hard so that they don’t cause fatigue amongst the players.

The club should also focus on developing ne and refining old set plays to help improve team performance in games. After the league has finished, post-season, the club needs to give their players some time off to rest and recuperate. However to ensure that aerobic fitness levels do not drop too far some light jogging should be carried out.