CCEA A-Level Physical Education
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Explore your topics
6 topics
Course topics6 topics
- Scientific Principles of Sports Performance17 objectives
- The Active Leisure Industry31 objectives
- Psychological and Sociological Principles of Sports Performance17 objectives
- Scientific Principles of Sports Performance (Internal Assessment)18 objectives
- Practical Sports Performance and Analysis6 objectives
- Practical Sports Performance10 objectives
About this course
About CCEA A-Level Physical Education
CCEA A-Level Physical Education offers a comprehensive exploration of the factors that influence physical activity and sport, blending scientific, socio-cultural, and practical elements. You will study the physiological and psychological bases of performance, alongside the historical, social, and ethical dimensions of sport, preparing you for further study or careers in the sports industry.
The specification is structured into three main components: scientific principles of physical education, psychological and socio-cultural principles, and a practical performance or coaching assessment. This integrated approach ensures you develop both theoretical knowledge and applied skills, with assessment split between written examinations and a non-examined practical component.
Assessment Structure
CCEA A-Level Physical Education is assessed through two written examination papers and one non-examined assessment (NEA). Paper 1 covers 'Scientific Principles of Physical Education' and is worth 35% of the total A-Level, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Paper 2 covers 'Psychological and Socio-Cultural Principles of Physical Education' and is also worth 35%, with a duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes. The NEA, which involves practical performance or coaching and a written analysis of performance, contributes the remaining 30%. Both written papers consist of a mix of short-answer, extended response, and synoptic questions, with a total of 200 marks for the written papers and 120 marks for the NEA.
Why Choose CCEA?
- CCEA offers a distinct specification that integrates scientific and socio-cultural content, allowing you to explore both the 'how' and 'why' of sport and physical activity. This balanced approach is ideal if you enjoy a mix of biology, psychology, and social studies.
- The non-examined assessment is flexible, allowing you to choose between practical performance or a coaching role, which can be tailored to your strengths and interests. This is particularly beneficial if you are involved in sport outside of school or have a passion for coaching.
- CCEA is the only exam board offering A-Level Physical Education specifically designed for the Northern Ireland curriculum, ensuring that the content and assessment are aligned with local educational priorities and contexts.
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
Give a single fact or term
Name, select, or recognise
Set out main features briefly
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Make judgments about importance with justification
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Confusing the radius and ulna positions.
- •Omitting the function of mineral storage or blood cell production.
- •Misclassifying the patella as a flat bone instead of sesamoid.
- •Underestimating budget requirements.
- •Overlooking contingency planning.
- •Failing to gather feedback for evaluation.
- •Failing to differentiate between task and social cohesion, often assuming they always correlate positively with performance.
- •Presenting leadership styles as fixed traits rather than adaptive behaviors, overlooking situational factors like athlete maturity or task demands.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Use mnemonics to remember bone names and locations.
- •Practice labeling diagrams from memory.
- •Link each bone type to a sport-specific example.
- •Use SMART objectives in planning.
- •Show awareness of legal requirements.
- •Include measurable success criteria.
- •Always anchor theoretical concepts in concrete sporting scenarios, referencing real teams or athletes to illustrate your points.
- •Structure essays to show progression from description to analysis and evaluation, explicitly signposting how you meet each learning objective.
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