What is the non-exam assessment in OCR GCSE PE?

The non-exam assessment (NEA) is worth 40 percent of the GCSE. It has two parts: practical performance (Component 04), worth 30 percent and 60 marks, in three activities including at least one team and at least one individual activity; and the Analysis and Evaluation of Performance, the AEP (Component 03), worth 10 percent and 20 marks, a written task under controlled conditions. The NEA is internally marked and externally moderated.

How is the practical performance assessed?

Each of the three activities is assessed under fully competitive or formal conditions, marked out of 20 on the range and quality of skills and techniques, the ability to perform them under pressure, and decision making and tactics. The activities must come from the OCR approved lists and include at least one team and one individual activity, with video evidence recorded for moderation.

The Analysis and Evaluation of Performance is a written task produced under controlled conditions. The learner analyses a performance to identify strengths and weaknesses, prioritises one weakness, and produces a justified action plan to improve it. The plan draws on the theory (components of fitness, fitness testing, training methods and principles, and skill acquisition), and is marked on analysis, justification and correct terminology.

How should I prepare for the NEA?

Choose the three activities you are strongest in, respecting the team-and-individual rule, and play them in real competitive situations so the assessment reflects your true standard. Train the core and advanced skills, decision making and the fitness each activity needs. For the AEP, learn to analyse a performance precisely, prioritise the most limiting weakness, and write a specific, justified action plan that applies the training theory and includes how you would monitor progress.

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OCR GCSE PE: Practical performance and the AEP (the non-exam assessment) overview

An overview of the non-exam assessment in OCR GCSE PE (J587): the practical performance in three activities and the Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (AEP), how each is assessed and moderated, and how the theory feeds the practical and the written task.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.88 min readJ587 Components 03 and 04Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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The non-exam assessment content
How the NEA is assessed
How to prepare for the NEA
For the official specification

The non-exam assessment (NEA) makes up 40 percent of OCR GCSE PE (specification J587). It has two parts: the practical performance in three activities and the Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (AEP). This page maps the NEA and links to a focused answer page for each part.

The non-exam assessment content

Practical performance. Three activities from the OCR approved lists (at least one team and one individual), assessed under competitive or formal conditions on skills, performance under pressure and decision making. See Practical performance.

Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (AEP). Analysing a performance to find strengths and weaknesses, prioritising one weakness, and producing a justified action plan that draws on the theory. See Analysis and Evaluation of Performance.

How the NEA is assessed

The NEA is worth 40 percent of the GCSE:

Practical performance (Component 04): 30 percent, 60 marks (three activities at 20 marks each), assessed under fully competitive or formal conditions, internally marked and externally moderated with video evidence.
Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (Component 03): 10 percent, 20 marks, a written task under controlled conditions.

Together with the two written papers (each 30 percent), the NEA completes the qualification, so practical work and the AEP carry as much weight as the theory papers combined.

How to prepare for the NEA

Choose your strongest activities. Three from the approved lists, with at least one team and one individual.
Compete regularly. Skills are assessed under competitive conditions, so play real matches.
Train skills and decision making. Core and advanced skills, tactics, and the fitness each activity needs.
Learn to analyse. For the AEP, identify strengths and weaknesses precisely and prioritise the most limiting weakness.
Write a justified action plan. Apply the training methods and principles, and include how to monitor progress.

For the official specification

OCR publishes the full specification (J587), the guide to non-exam assessment, and the approved activity lists at ocr.org.uk. Always work from the current specification and OCR's own guidance, because the NEA requirements are board-specific.

Sources & how we know this

OCR GCSE (9-1) Physical Education J587 specification — OCR (2016)