OCR GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (J587): complete guide to the two written papers, the non-exam assessment and the theory content

OCR GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (specification J587) is a single GCSE worth one grade from 9 to 1. It is assessed by two written papers and a non-exam assessment, and it gives a holistic understanding of the physical, socio-cultural and psychological factors that affect performance. This page is the index: below is a map of the components, the theory topics, the practical assessment, the calculations, and how to study each part.

The two components and how they are examined

OCR splits the qualification into four assessed components across two written papers and the NEA.

• Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance (J587/01). A 1 hour written paper, 60 marks, 30 percent. Covers applied anatomy and physiology and physical training.
• Component 02: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology (J587/02). A 1 hour written paper, 60 marks, 30 percent. Covers socio-cultural influences, sports psychology and health, fitness and well-being.
• Component 04: Practical performance (NEA). 60 marks, 30 percent. Three activities (at least one team and one individual) under competitive or formal conditions.
• Component 03: Analysis and Evaluation of Performance, the AEP (NEA). 20 marks, 10 percent. A written task under controlled conditions.

Both written papers mix multiple-choice and objective-response questions, short answers and extended responses, and a calculator is allowed in each.

The theory topics

The theory is built from five areas across the two written papers, covered in depth on this site.

Applied anatomy and physiology (Component 01)

The skeletal and muscular systems, lever systems, planes and axes of movement, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the effects of exercise. Start with the Applied anatomy and physiology overview.

Physical training (Component 01)

The components of fitness, fitness testing, the principles of training and overload, the methods of training, preventing injury, and warming up and cooling down. Start with the Physical training overview.

Socio-cultural influences (Component 02)

Engagement patterns and participation, commercialisation and the media, ethics and deviance, and drugs in sport. Start with the Socio-cultural influences overview.

Sports psychology (Component 02)

Skill classification, goal setting, mental preparation and arousal, guidance and feedback, and information processing. Start with the Sports psychology overview.

Health, fitness and well-being (Component 02)

The benefits of activity, the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, diet and nutrition, and energy balance. Start with the Health, fitness and well-being overview.

The non-exam assessment

The NEA is worth 40 percent of the GCSE and has two parts: practical performance in three activities and the Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (AEP). Start with the Practical performance and AEP overview.

The maths and calculations

At least some marks across the papers assess mathematical skills. Expect cardiac output ($\text{heart rate} \times \text{stroke volume}$), mechanical advantage ($\text{effort arm} \div \text{load arm}$), maximum heart rate ($220 - \text{age}$) with the training zones, 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 in both papers, but you must show the method and the units.

How to study OCR GCSE PE

OCR GCSE PE rewards precise recall, confident calculation, and applying theory to real sport.

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 agonist, overload, deviance and energy balance.
3. Drill the calculations. Cardiac output, mechanical advantage, heart-rate zones and energy values all appear.
4. Apply to a named sport. Application marks need a clear sporting context, not just the textbook fact.
5. Practise the extended responses. Evaluate and discuss questions reward a balanced argument and a judgement.

For the official specification

OCR publishes the full specification (J587), past papers, mark schemes and the guide to non-exam assessment at ocr.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and OCR's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.