Goal Setting: SMART Principles

OCR

GCSE

Candidates must define and apply the SMART principles (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded, Time-bound) to construct effective training and performance regimes. Analysis must distinguish between outcome, performance, and process goals, evaluating their respective impacts on intrinsic motivation and anxiety regulation. Responses should demonstrate how goal setting serves as a mechanism for attentional control and self-confidence (Bandura’s self-efficacy) within a periodised training programme.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Goal Setting: SMART Principles

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award AO1 marks for the precise recall of the acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded, Timed
Credit AO2 responses that apply 'Measurable' by citing specific quantitative data (e.g., reducing 100m sprint time by 0.5 seconds)
Candidates must link 'Achievable' to the maintenance of motivation and prevention of anxiety
For AO3, credit the evaluation of why 'Recorded' targets allow for effective monitoring of progress over time
Award AO1 marks for correctly identifying 'Recorded' as the 'R' component; do not credit 'Realistic' or 'Relevant' as these contradict the OCR specification.
Credit AO2 responses that apply 'Measurable' by providing quantitative data (e.g., 'reduce 5k time by 30 seconds' rather than 'run faster').
Award AO3 marks for justifying 'Timed' goals as a mechanism to prevent procrastination and maintain focus during microcycles.
Credit analysis that links 'Achievable' goals to the prevention of anxiety or loss of motivation due to impossible targets.

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You have identified the acronym correctly, but 'R' must be 'Recorded' for OCR"
"Your example for 'Measurable' lacks a numerical value; add a specific time or distance"
"Explain *why* making a target 'Achievable' is important for the athlete's psychology"
"Link the 'Timed' principle to the concept of a deadline to show understanding of urgency"
"You identified 'R' as 'Realistic'. For OCR GCSE PE, you must use 'Recorded' to gain the mark."
"Your example 'run further' is not Measurable. Refine this to include specific distance or time data."
"You have described the principle; to access higher marks, explain *why* this principle increases an athlete's adherence to training."
"Link your 'Achievable' target to the concept of 'flow' or anxiety management to demonstrate AO3 analysis."

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award AO1 marks for the precise recall of the acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded, Timed
Credit AO2 responses that apply 'Measurable' by citing specific quantitative data (e.g., reducing 100m sprint time by 0.5 seconds)
Candidates must link 'Achievable' to the maintenance of motivation and prevention of anxiety
For AO3, credit the evaluation of why 'Recorded' targets allow for effective monitoring of progress over time
Award AO1 marks for correctly identifying 'Recorded' as the 'R' component; do not credit 'Realistic' or 'Relevant' as these contradict the OCR specification.
Credit AO2 responses that apply 'Measurable' by providing quantitative data (e.g., 'reduce 5k time by 30 seconds' rather than 'run faster').
Award AO3 marks for justifying 'Timed' goals as a mechanism to prevent procrastination and maintain focus during microcycles.
Credit analysis that links 'Achievable' goals to the prevention of anxiety or loss of motivation due to impossible targets.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure 'R' is always defined as 'Recorded' to align with the OCR specification
💡When applying 'Specific' (AO2), explicitly name the component of fitness, sport, or technique involved
💡In evaluation questions, link the absence of SMART principles directly to a decline in motivation or adherence
💡When asked to 'Apply' SMART principles, you must use a specific sport scenario; generic definitions without context will not secure AO2 marks.
💡Memorize 'Recorded' for 'R'. This is a frequent discriminator on OCR papers where other variations are rejected.
💡In 6-mark extended response questions, link SMART targets to information processing (feedback) or psychological factors (intrinsic motivation).

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Defining 'R' as 'Realistic' (incorrect for OCR J587) instead of 'Recorded'
Interpreting 'Timed' as the duration of a training session rather than a deadline for goal completion
Providing vague 'Specific' targets (e.g., 'get fitter') without identifying the component of fitness or muscle group
Misidentifying 'R' as 'Realistic' or 'Relevant' instead of the OCR-mandated 'Recorded'.
Providing vague examples for 'Specific' (e.g., 'get better at football') instead of precise skill components (e.g., 'improve shooting accuracy').
Failing to link the 'Timed' principle to a specific deadline or duration (e.g., 'by the end of the 6-week programme').

Study Guide Available

Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

SMART Protocol Application

Goal Typology (Outcome, Performance, Process)

Psychological Regulation (Anxiety, Motivation, Confidence)

Application of SMART principles (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded, Time-bound)

Taxonomy of goals: Outcome, Performance, and Process

Psychological impacts: Motivation, Self-efficacy, and Attentional Control

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Define

Describe

Explain

Apply

Evaluate

Justify

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