AQA A-Level Physical Education (7582): complete guide to the six sections and the exams

AQA A-Level Physical Education (specification 7582) is a two-year linear course assessed by two written papers at the end of Year 13 plus a non-exam assessment. This page is the index: below is a map of the six content sections, the exam and NEA structure, and how to study each one.

The six AQA PE sections (3.1-3.6)

The specification has six sections. Sections 3.1 to 3.3 are examined on Paper 1, and sections 3.4 to 3.6 are examined on Paper 2.

3.1 Applied anatomy and physiology

The cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems, movement analysis, and the energy systems, with the responses and adaptations to exercise and training.

3.2 Skill acquisition

The classification of skills and types of practice and transfer, theories and stages of learning, guidance and feedback, and information processing and memory models.

3.3 Sport and society

The emergence of modern sport from popular to rational recreation, participation and barriers in the twenty-first century, and the commercialisation of sport.

3.4 Exercise physiology and biomechanics

Diet and nutrition, training methods and adaptations, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and the biomechanics of Newton's laws, levers, projectiles and fluid mechanics.

3.5 Sport psychology

Personality, attitudes and arousal, anxiety and aggression, motivation and social facilitation, group dynamics, and leadership and stress management.

3.6 Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

The concepts of physical activity, the development routes for elite performers, commercialisation and the media, and the role of technology in sport.

Exam and assessment structure

AQA A-Level PE is assessed by two written papers and a non-exam assessment.

• Paper 1 - Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport (sections 3.1-3.3). 2 hours, 105 marks, 35%. Multiple choice, short answer and extended response.
• Paper 2 - Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport (sections 3.4-3.6). 2 hours, 105 marks, 35%. Same style as Paper 1.
• Non-exam assessment (NEA) - 90 marks, 30%. Practical performance or coaching in one activity (15%) and a written or verbal analysis and evaluation of performance for improvement (15%).

At least 5% of marks assess maths skills, concentrated in exercise physiology and biomechanics.

How to study AQA PE

PE rewards precise definitions, named theories applied to sport, and clear extended-response structure.

1. Work from the specification statements. Each numbered point (e.g. 3.5.4 motivation and social facilitation) is a checklist; questions are written from them.
2. Learn theories and definitions precisely. Mark schemes reward exact wording for named models such as the inverted U theory, attribution theory and Steiner's model.
3. Apply everything to sport. For every theory, model or calculation, prepare a clear sporting example, since application earns the marks.
4. Drill the biomechanics calculations. Cardiac output, weight, force, momentum and impulse, plus free body diagrams, recur on Paper 2.
5. Prepare the NEA alongside the theory. Link your analysis and evaluation of performance to the theoretical content as you learn it.

The six sections, dot point by dot point

Each section has specification-statement-level answer pages with worked exam questions and cross-links. Browse the full set at /a-level-aqa/physical-education/syllabus.

For the official specification

AQA publishes the full specification (7582), past papers, mark schemes and the NEA guidance at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own past papers, because question style and the NEA format are board-specific.