Physical Education A Level Transition Pack 2023 - Exam Board AQA Overview

Sep 5, 2026

Transition pack for AQA A Level Physical Education covering core course structure, seven topic areas across two years, and assessment expectations by Paper 1 and Paper 2. Includes Non-Examined Assessment requirements (performer/coach role, written/verbal analysis) with marks weighting and exam time, format, and percentage contribution. Lists accepted and specialist sports activities, and provides an A Level vs GCSE content comparison table highlighting overlapping specification areas, from anatomy and physiology to sport psychology, exercise physiology, and biomechanics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Basic Course Overview

Topic areas across two years

Exam structure and weighting

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA)

Accepted activities

Specialist activities

A Level and GCSE Content Comparison

Overlapping specifications

Key Information Exam Board: AQA Specification: [https://fi](https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-7582-SP-)[lestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-7582-SP-](https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-7582-SP-)[ ](https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-7582-SP-)[2016.PDF](2016.PDF) Textbook: AQA A Level PE. Published by Hodder Education. These can be purchased online but the department will make every effort to provide each student with a copy of this. Other useful resources: - AQA A-level PE: AQA A Level My Revision Notes. ISBN: 1510405224 - Need to know: AQA A Level PE. ISBN: 1510428577 - The PE Tutor YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVsiR-](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVsiR-)[ ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVsiR-)[1u_oSZ32CHQmD4Ug](1u_oSZ32CHQmD4Ug) - James Morris YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCChU8cYZY5xpQ7pBIklu3Xw](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCChU8cYZY5xpQ7pBIklu3Xw) [-](- The EverLearner YouTube channel:)[ The EverLearner YouTube channel:](- The EverLearner YouTube channel:) [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaI4Ice4za7FTPXL11bEUQ/featured](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaI4Ice4za7FTPXL11bEUQ/featured) [-](- The PE Review Magazine:)[ The PE Review Magazine:](- The PE Review Magazine:) [https://my.dynamic-learning.co.uk/MyDynamicLearning.aspx](https://my.dynamic-learning.co.uk/MyDynamicLearning.aspx) *This is a really good resource at seeing a range of content from the A Level course applied to modern day sport. Basic Course Overview You will cover 7 topic areas over two years: 1. Applied anatomy and physiology 2. Skill acquisition 3. Sport and society 4. Exercise physiology 5. Biomechanical movement 6. Sport psychology 7. Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport At the end of Year 13, you will be undertake two exams: Paper 1: Section A: Applied anatomy and physiology Section B: Skill acquisition Section C: Sport and society Paper 2: Section A: Exercise physiology and biomechanics Section B: Sport psychology Section C: Sport and society and technology in sport Each paper is: - 2 hours in duration - 105 marks - A combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended answer (8 & 15 mark) questions - Worth 35% of your A Level You will also undertake a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) component throughout the two years. This involves: Students are assessed as either a performer or coach in the full sided version (full competitive context) of one activity. A written/verbal analysis of performance. This component is internally assessed and externally moderated in Year 13. This component is: - Worth 90 marks - Equates to 30% of your A-level The next page outlines a list of sports which at the time of writing, are accepted by the AQA. Accepted activities: | Amateur boxing | Association Football | Athletics | Badminton | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Basketball | Camogie | Canoeing | Cricket | | Cycling | Dance | Diving | Equestrian | | Gaelic Football | Golf | Gymnastics | Handball | | Hockey | Hurling | Kayaking | Lacrosse | | Netball | Rock Climbing | Rowing | Rugby Union | | Rugby League | Sculling | Skiing | Snowboarding | | Squash | Swimming | Table Tennis | Tennis | | Trampolining | Volleyball | | | Specialist Activities: | Blind Cricket | Boccia | Goal Ball | Power Chair Football | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Polybat | Table Cricket | Wheelchair Basketball | Wheelchair Rugby | A Level and GCSE Content Comparison Below is a table outlining the A Level and GCSE specifications, highlighting where there is across-over in content. This is colour co-ordinated to show the sections, as outlined in the course overview. | A Level Specification Topic | A Level sub-topic | GCSE Specification Topic | | --- | --- | --- | | Cardiovascular System | | The structure an

FAQs

What does the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) involve and how is it assessed?

The NEA is completed throughout the two years and assesses students as a performer or coach in one full-sided activity. It requires a written/verbal analysis of performance and is internally assessed with external moderation in Year 13, worth 90 marks (30% of the A-level).

Sep 5, 2026

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