GCSE (9-1) Physical Education Specification - J587 - Version 1.5 - February 2023

Sep 5, 2026

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OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education specification J587 defines the qualification structure, content areas, and assessment arrangements for first assessment in 2018. It outlines components for physical factors affecting performance, socio-cultural issues and sports psychology, and non-exam assessment including practical performances plus analysing and evaluating performance. The document also covers assessment objectives, forms of assessment, eligibility, administration requirements, results and certificates, malpractice, and supporting appendices such as grade descriptors and accessibility.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education?

1a. Why choose an OCR qualification?

1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education?

1c. What are the key features of this specification?

1d. How do I find out more information?

The specification overview

2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education (J587)

2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education (J587)

2c.1. Content of Physical factors affecting performance (J587/01)

2c.2. Content of Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology (J587/02)

2d. Content for non-exam assessment: Practical Performances (J587/04)

2e. Content for non-exam assessment: Analysing and Evaluating Performance (J587/05)

2f. Prior knowledge, learning and progression

Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education

3a. Forms of assessment

3b. Assessment objectives (AO)

3c. Assessment availability

3d. Retaking the qualification

3e. Assessment of extended response

3f. Non-exam assessment (NEA)

3g. Synoptic assessment

3h. Calculating qualification results

Admin: what you need to know

4a. Pre-assessment

4b. Special consideration

4c. External assessment arrangements

4d. Admin of non-exam assessment

4e. Results and certificates

4f. Post-results services

4g. Malpractice

Appendices

5a. Grade descriptors

5b. Overlap with other qualifications

5c. Accessibility

Qualification Accredited Oxford Cambridge and RSA GCSE (9-1) Specification PHYSICAL EDUCATION J587 For first assessment in 2018 Version 1.5 (February 2023) [www.ocr.org.uk/gcsephysicaleducation](www.ocr.org.uk/gcsephysicaleducation) | Disclaimer | Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at: [resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk](resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk) | | --- | --- | | Registered office: | We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be those on our website ([ocr.org.uk](ocr.org.uk)) and these may differ from printed versions. | | The Triangle Building Shaftesbury Road | © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved. | | Cambridge | Copyright | | CB2 8EA | OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this | | OCR isan exempt charity. | specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registered company number 3484466. | Contents | 1 | Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education? | 2 | | --- | --- | --- | | | 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? | 2 | | | 1b. Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education? | 3 | | | 1c. What are the key features of this specification? | 4 | | | 1d. How do I find out more information? | 4 | | 2 | The specification overview | 5 | | | 2a. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education (J587) | 5 | | | 2b. Content of GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education (J587) | 6 | | | 2c.1. Content of Physical factors affecting performance (J587/01) | 7 | | | 2c.2. Content of Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology (J587/02) | 17 | | | 2d. Content for non-exam assessment: Practical Performances (J587/04) | 24 | | | 2e. Content for non-exam assessment: Analysing and Evaluating Performance (J587/05) | 24 | | | 2f. Prior knowledge, learning and progression | 24 | | 3 | Assessment of GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education | 25 | | | 3a. Forms of assessment | 25 | | | 3b. Assessment objectives (AO) | 25 | | | 3c. Assessment availability | 26 | | | 3d. Retaking the qualification | 26 | | | 3e. Assessment of extended response | 26 | | | 3f. Non-exam assessment (NEA) | 27 | | | 3g. Synoptic assessment | 27 | | | 3h. Calculating qualification results | 27 | | 4 | Admin: what you need to know | 28 | | | 4a. Pre-assessment | 28 | | | 4b. Special consideration | 31 | | | 4c. External assessment arrangements | 31 | | | 4d. Admin of non-exam assessment | 32 | | | 4e. Results and certificates | 33 | | | 4f. Post-results services | 34 | | | 4g. Malpractice | 34 | | 5 | Appendices | 35 | | | 5a. Grade descriptors | 35 | | | 5b. Overlap with other qualifications | 36 | | | 5c. Accessibility | 36 | Summary of updates 37 1 Why choose an OCR GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education? 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? Choose OCR and you’ve got the reassurance that you’re working with one of the UK’s leading exam boards. Our GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education qualification has been developed in consultation with teachers, employers and Higher Education to provide students with a qualification that’s relevant to them and meets their needs. We’re part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, Europe’s largest assessment agency and a department of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment plays a leading role in developing and delivering assessments

FAQs

What is the OCR GCSE (9–1) Physical Education specification J587 for?

It sets out the qualification specification, including the subject content and assessment arrangements for OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Physical Education, first assessed from 2018.

What content areas are included in GCSE Physical Education J587?

The specification includes physical factors affecting performance and socio-cultural issues and sports psychology, and it also defines content for non-exam assessment activities.

How is non-exam assessment (NEA) structured in this specification?

Non-exam assessment includes Practical Performances (J587/04) and Analysing and Evaluating Performance (J587/05), alongside related guidance within the specification.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Liam