AQA vs OCR A-level PE: Key Differences Students Should Know

What content is shared across both specifications?

Both AQA (7582) and OCR (H555) require students to study:

• Applied anatomy and physiology — the musculo-skeletal system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and energy pathways
• Biomechanical principles — Newton's laws, lever systems, projectile motion, and the application of force in sport
• Sport psychology — arousal, anxiety, motivation, group dynamics, and leadership
• Socio-cultural influences on sport — the history of physical activity, ethics, commercialisation, and diversity in sport
• Exercise physiology — training adaptations, nutrition, and the application of physiology to sport performance

Both boards also require practical participation in sport and an analytical or evaluative component as part of their non-exam assessment.

How is each specification structured?

The most significant structural difference is that OCR allocates 40% to the non-exam assessment compared to AQA's 30%. For students who are confident performers but find written examinations more challenging, OCR's higher weighting on the practical and analytical component may be an advantage.

How does the non-exam assessment differ?

AQA NEA requires: practical assessment in three activities (one team, one individual, one of the student's choosing) — each assessed by the teacher — and a written analysis of performance evaluating a named elite performer in one activity, identifying weaknesses and designing an appropriate training programme.

OCR NEA requires: practical assessment in two activities (one must be a recognised individual activity and one a recognised team activity) and a performance development activity — a written or oral task in which students evaluate their own performance, set targets, and justify a training or coaching intervention. OCR's self-analysis focus differs from AQA's focus on analysing an elite external performer.

Both boards moderate practical performance externally to ensure national consistency. Both require teachers to assess performance using published criteria.

How do the written examination papers compare?

AQA Paper 1 focuses on participation factors and applied physiology; Paper 2 covers optimal performance, psychology, and socio-cultural issues. Both papers include short-answer questions, structured questions, and extended-answer questions.

OCR distributes content similarly but weights its papers slightly differently. OCR papers include data-stimulus questions, where students interpret data from a sport science context, as well as structured and essay-style extended answers. OCR's lower percentage weighting on written papers (60%) compared to AQA (70%) reflects the higher NEA weighting.

Both boards award marks in extended answers for application of scientific principles to specific sporting contexts, not for abstract description. Using named sports and specific examples strengthens answers on both specifications.

Which board suits which type of student?

Frequently asked questions

Is OCR PE harder or easier than AQA PE?

Neither board's A-level PE specification is harder or easier overall. The written content is broadly the same; the difference lies in weighting. OCR allocates more marks to the non-exam assessment (40% vs 30%) and assesses fewer practical activities (two vs three). Whether this is advantageous depends entirely on the individual student's strengths.

Can I take A-level PE if I only play one sport seriously?

For AQA, students need to be assessed in three activities, so playing only one sport at a level suitable for assessment would make AQA's requirements harder to meet. For OCR, two activities are needed (one team, one individual). Students who specialise narrowly in one discipline — for example, a competitive swimmer who does not play team sports — should speak to their school about what counts as an assessable activity under the relevant specification.

Is A-level PE respected by universities for non-sport degrees?

Yes. A-level PE is considered a valid academic qualification and is accepted for a wide range of degree programmes. For subjects such as medicine, physiotherapy, and sports science, it is directly relevant. For other subjects, it demonstrates analytical and evaluative skills through the sport science content. It is not on the list of A-level subjects explicitly discouraged by Russell Group universities.

Do I need to play at county or national level for the practical element?

No. Both AQA and OCR assess practical performance against published criteria that describe competency, not elite performance. Club-level participation in a sport typically provides a sufficient standard. The criteria assess technique, decision-making, and tactical awareness rather than comparative ranking against peers.

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