Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (C550QS): complete guide to the written paper, the non-exam assessment and the five theory areas

Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (specification C550QS) is a single GCSE worth one grade from 9 to 1. It is assessed by one written paper and a non-exam assessment, and it gives a holistic understanding of the physical, psychological and socio-cultural factors that affect performance. This page is the index: below is a map of the two components, the five theory areas, the practical assessment, the calculations, and how to study each part.

The two components and how they are examined

Eduqas builds the whole qualification from just two components: one written paper and the NEA.

• Component 1: Introduction to physical education. A 2 hour written paper, 120 marks, 60 percent of the qualification. A stimulus-based paper covering all five theory areas, mixing short objective questions, structured questions and extended responses.
• Component 2: The active participant in physical education. The non-exam assessment (NEA), 80 marks, 40 percent. Practical performance in three activities (30 percent) plus a written analysis and evaluation of performance in one activity (10 percent).

The total qualification is 200 marks. A calculator is allowed in Component 1, because the paper includes calculations such as maximum heart rate, the training zones and energy values.

The five theory areas

The theory in Component 1 is organised into five areas, all examined on the one written paper and covered in depth on this site.

Health, training and exercise

The definitions of health, fitness, exercise and well-being, the components of fitness, the principles of training, the methods of training, fitness testing, and diet and nutrition. Start with the Health, training and exercise overview.

Exercise physiology

The cardio-respiratory system, the musculo-skeletal system, the short-term and long-term effects of exercise, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and recovery including EPOC. Start with the Exercise physiology overview.

Movement analysis

The lever systems in the body, the planes and axes of movement, and the types of movement at the joints. Start with the Movement analysis overview.

Psychology of sport and physical activity

Goal setting, motivation, arousal and anxiety, skill classification, types of practice, and guidance and feedback. Start with the Sport psychology overview.

Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

Participation and engagement, provision and pathways, commercialisation and the media, ethics and sporting behaviour, and drugs in sport. Start with the Socio-cultural issues overview.

The non-exam assessment

Component 2 (The active participant) is worth 40 percent of the GCSE and has two parts: practical performance in three activities and a written analysis and evaluation of performance. Start with the Active participant overview.

The maths and calculations

Some marks in Component 1 assess mathematical skills. Expect maximum heart rate ($220 - \text{age}$) with the aerobic and anaerobic training zones (60 to 80 percent and 80 to 90 percent of maximum heart rate), cardiac output ($\text{heart rate} \times \text{stroke volume}$), and energy values from the macronutrients (about 4 kcal per gram for carbohydrate and protein, about 9 kcal per gram for fat). A calculator is allowed, but you must show the method and the units.

How to study Eduqas GCSE PE

Eduqas GCSE PE rewards precise recall, confident calculation, and applying theory to real sport on a stimulus-based paper.

1. Work from the specification. Each statement is a checklist; questions are written from it.
2. Learn definitions and models precisely. Mark schemes reward exact wording for terms like overload, agonist, deviance and energy balance.
3. Drill the calculations. Maximum heart rate and training zones, cardiac output and energy values all appear.
4. Read the stimulus carefully. Every Component 1 question hangs off a source; use the data, diagram or scenario in your answer.
5. Apply to a named sport. Application marks need a clear sporting context, not just the textbook fact.
6. Practise the extended responses. Analyse, evaluate and justify questions reward a balanced, applied argument and a judgement.

For the official specification

Eduqas publishes the full specification (C550QS), past papers, mark schemes and the guide to non-exam assessment at eduqas.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and Eduqas's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.