What is the practical performance component in Higher PE?

The practical performance component is the practical half of the Higher PE course assessment, sitting alongside the written question paper. A candidate performs in two physical activities that have significantly different demands, for example a games activity and a performance activity such as gymnastics or dance. Each performance is assessed on the demonstration of a broad range of skills, sound decision-making, the use of tactics or composition, and overall effectiveness under competitive or challenging conditions. It is a live performance, not a written account.

Why must a candidate perform in two different activities?

Two activities with significantly different demands are required so that a candidate demonstrates a breadth of skills and qualities rather than relying on a single specialism. A games activity tests reaction, open skills and tactical decision-making in a changing environment, while a performance activity such as gymnastics tests strength, flexibility, balance, composition and closed skills under judgement. Performing both shows the candidate can apply the factors across contrasting demands.

How is the practical performance marked?

The performance is marked internally by the centre, the school or college, against the SQA's assessment criteria. Each single performance is assessed under conditions that allow skills, decision-making and effectiveness to be demonstrated. The internal marks are then externally verified by the SQA, which reviews a sample to confirm that centres have applied the national standard consistently, so a given mark means the same across the country.

How does the performance component link to the four factors?

The performance component is where the four factors and the development process show their purpose. The physical factor (fitness, skills, tactics or composition), the mental factor (decision-making and concentration), the emotional factor (composure under pressure) and the social factor (communication and roles) all surface in a real performance. Developing those factors through the performance development process is exactly how a candidate raises the mark they earn in the practical performance.

How should a candidate prepare for the practical performance?

A candidate prepares by developing the factors that the performance assesses. They analyse the demands of each chosen activity, gather information on their strengths and weaknesses, and follow a development plan to improve fitness, skills, decision-making, composure and teamwork. Practising skills towards the autonomous stage so they hold up under pressure, and rehearsing tactics or composition, directly improves the effectiveness that assessors reward.

ScotlandPhysical Education

SQA Higher PE Practical Performance: what the performance component assesses and how it is marked

An SQA Higher Physical Education guide to the practical performance component. Covers performing in two contrasting activities, what is assessed (skills, decision-making, tactics or composition and overall effectiveness), how it is internally marked and externally verified, and how it links to the four factors.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.812 min readHigherUpdated 2026-06-16

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

Jump to a section

What this component actually demands
Performing in two contrasting activities
What is assessed
How it is marked and verified
How it links to the four factors
How this is assessed within the course
Check your knowledge

What this component actually demands

The practical performance component is the practical half of the Higher PE award. Unlike the question paper, it is assessed as a live performance: a candidate performs in two contrasting activities and is judged on how effectively they perform under realistic conditions. The factor modules and the development-process module explain how to build a strong performance; this guide explains what the component itself requires.

Performing in two contrasting activities

A candidate performs in two physical activities with significantly different demands, commonly a games activity (football, hockey, badminton) and a performance activity (gymnastics, dance). The contrast ensures breadth: open skills and tactical decisions in a changing game, against closed skills, composition and control in a performance activity.

What is assessed

Each performance is assessed on overall effectiveness under competitive or challenging conditions: a broad range of skills performed reliably, sound decision-making, the use of tactics or composition, and the ability to perform consistently and under pressure. It is the performance, in a realistic setting, that is judged.

How it is marked and verified

The performance is marked internally by the centre against the SQA's assessment criteria, then externally verified by the SQA, which checks a sample to confirm the national standard is applied consistently. Both steps matter: internal marking against criteria, external verification for consistency.

How it links to the four factors

The performance component is where the four factors and the development process prove their worth. Strong fitness, reliable skills, good tactics, sharp decision-making, composure and communication all show up in the performance, and developing them is how a candidate lifts the mark.

How this is assessed within the course

A live performance, not a written account, in two contrasting activities.
Assessed against SQA criteria for skills, decision-making, tactics or composition and effectiveness.
Internally marked, externally verified to hold the national standard.
A substantial part of the award, alongside the question paper.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and explanation questions covering the component. Attempt them, then check against the solutions.

How many activities must a candidate perform in, and how must they differ? (2 marks)
Name three things assessed in the practical performance. (2 marks)
Who marks the performance, and who verifies it? (2 marks)
Why are two contrasting activities required? (2 marks)
How does developing the four factors help the performance mark? (2 marks)

Sources & how we know this

SQA Higher Physical Education Course Specification — SQA (2019)