How is your practical performance assessed, and how do you choose and prepare your three activities?
The structure of the non-exam assessment practical performance (three activities, at least one team and one individual), how performance is assessed under formal or fully competitive conditions, the approved activity lists, and how skills, techniques and decision making are marked.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 2 practical performance: the structure of the non-exam assessment (three activities, at least one team and one individual), assessment under formal or fully competitive conditions, the approved activity lists, the marking of skills and decision making, and how the marks fit the qualification.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to know the structure of the practical performance, the three-activity rule, how performance is assessed under formal or competitive conditions, and what assessors reward.
The structure of the practical assessment
The three activities are chosen from the published lists (team games such as football, netball and hockey; individual activities such as athletics, swimming, badminton singles, gymnastics and trampolining). Choosing your three strongest activities, with the right team and individual mix, is the first step to a good mark.
How performance is assessed
This is why a skill performed perfectly in practice but not used well in a game scores less than the same skill used effectively under competitive pressure.
Marking and moderation
Why this matters
Practical performance is the largest single slice of the qualification (30 percent), and it is the partner of the analysis and evaluation of performance, which analyses a weakness in one of these activities and plans to improve it. The theory you learn in Component 1 (components of fitness, skill classification, training methods) directly improves the performance assessed here, which is why the two components are linked.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20196 marksExplain how a learner should choose and prepare their three activities for the Eduqas GCSE PE non-exam assessment to maximise their practical marks.Show worked answer →
A planning question reflecting how the NEA works. Mark for understanding the rules and a sensible strategy.
The learner must offer three activities from the Eduqas approved lists, including at least one team activity and at least one individual activity. They should choose activities they are strongest in and play regularly, because marks reward the quality of skills and decision making under formal or fully competitive conditions.
Preparation: train the core and advanced skills of each activity, play in real competitive situations so the assessment reflects their true standard, work on fitness specific to each activity, and gather video evidence for moderation.
A strong answer notes the team-and-individual rule, the focus on competitive performance, and choosing the activities where the learner is strongest.
Eduqas 20214 marksExplain what assessors look for when marking a learner's practical performance in a competitive game.Show worked answer →
An item on how performance is marked.
Assessors reward the range and quality of skills and techniques performed accurately and consistently, the ability to perform them under pressure in a fully competitive situation, and the quality of decision making and tactics (selecting the right skill at the right time, positioning, reading the game).
They also consider how effectively the learner applies the rules, adapts to the situation, and contributes to the outcome. Isolated skills practised in a drill score less than the same skills used effectively in real competition.
Markers want the focus on skills plus decision making and tactics applied under competitive conditions, not just technique in isolation.
Related dot points
- The analysis and evaluation of performance task: analysing strengths and weaknesses in one activity, prioritising one component or skill to improve, and producing a justified plan to improve it that applies the theory from Component 1.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 2 on the analysis and evaluation of performance: how to analyse strengths and weaknesses in one activity, prioritise one weakness, and produce a justified plan to improve it that applies the theory (components of fitness, training methods, skill acquisition), and how the task is assessed.
- The components of fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, power, agility, balance, coordination and reaction time), how each is defined, and how they are applied to different sporting activities.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on the components of fitness: the definitions of cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, power, agility, balance, coordination and reaction time, and how each is applied to a named sport.
- The classification of skills on continua (simple to complex, open to closed and others), the characteristics of each type, the types of practice (massed, distributed, fixed and variable), and how classification is used to choose the best practice for a skill.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on skill classification and practice: the simple-to-complex and open-to-closed continua (and others), the characteristics of each type, the four types of practice (massed, distributed, fixed, variable), and how classification chooses the best practice.
- The methods of training (continuous, Fartlek, interval, circuit, weight, plyometric and flexibility training), what each develops, and how to choose the right method for a component of fitness, a performer and a sport.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on the methods of training: continuous, Fartlek, interval, circuit, weight, plyometric and flexibility training, what each develops, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose the right method for a performer.
- The types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual and mechanical) and their advantages and disadvantages, and the types of feedback (intrinsic and extrinsic, knowledge of results and knowledge of performance, positive and negative), and how each suits different performers.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on guidance and feedback: the four types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual, mechanical) with their pros and cons, the types of feedback (intrinsic and extrinsic, knowledge of results and performance, positive and negative), and which suit a beginner versus an expert.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Physical Education C550QS specification — Eduqas (2016)