Edexcel A-Level Physical Education exam papers and weighting (9PE0)

Guide overview All 38 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers

What each Edexcel A-Level Physical Education paper assesses

Edexcel A-Level Physical Education (9PE0) has two written papers and two non-examined components. Component 1 covers the scientific principles: applied anatomy and physiology, and exercise physiology and applied movement analysis. Component 2 covers skill acquisition, sport psychology, and sport and society. The practical performance and the performance analysis and development programme are assessed by teachers and are not in this guide.

Paper Covers
Component 1
Scientific principles of physical education
THE MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
LEVERS, NEWTON'S LAWS AND STABILITY
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
THE NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM
ADAPTATIONS TO TRAINING
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FATIGUE AND RECOVERY
DIET, NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS
FITNESS TESTING
COMPONENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING
TRAINING METHODS AND PERIODISATION
INJURY PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION
LINEAR AND ANGULAR MOTION
PROJECTILE MOTION AND FLUID MECHANICS
Component 2
Psychological and social principles of physical education
COACHING AND SKILL CLASSIFICATION
LEARNING THEORIES
PRACTICE AND GUIDANCE
FEEDBACK AND MOTOR CONTROL
INFORMATION PROCESSING AND MEMORY
PERSONALITY AND ATTITUDES
AROUSAL AND ANXIETY
AGGRESSION
MOTIVATION
SOCIAL FACILITATION
GROUP DYNAMICS AND COHESION
GOAL SETTING
ATTRIBUTION THEORY
CONFIDENCE AND SELF-EFFICACY
LEADERSHIP
THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN SPORT
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND MIGRATION IN SPORT
THE GLOBALISATION OF SPORT
THE COMMERCIALISATION OF SPORT
ETHICS AND DEVIANCE IN SPORT
SPORT AND THE MEDIA
TALENT IDENTIFICATION AND ELITE DEVELOPMENT
PARTICIPATION AND THE HEALTH OF THE NATION

Every topic, and where it is examined

Topic Examined on Questions
The Musculo-Skeletal System Component 1 68
Levers, Newton's Laws and Stability Component 1 59
The Respiratory System Component 1 58
The Cardiovascular System Component 1 66
The Neuromuscular System Component 1 59
Adaptations to Training Component 1 44
Energy Systems Component 1 62
Fatigue and Recovery Component 1 59
Diet, Nutrition and Supplements Component 1 63
Fitness Testing Component 1 59
Components and Principles of Training Component 1 57
Training Methods and Periodisation Component 1 66
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Component 1 64
Linear and Angular Motion Component 1 59
Projectile Motion and Fluid Mechanics Component 1 61
Coaching and Skill Classification Component 2 72
Learning Theories Component 2 55
Practice and Guidance Component 2 59
Feedback and Motor Control Component 2 57
Information Processing and Memory Component 2 76
Personality and Attitudes Component 2 56
Arousal and Anxiety Component 2 61
Aggression Component 2 56
Motivation Component 2 54
Social Facilitation Component 2 46
Group Dynamics and Cohesion Component 2 60
Goal Setting Component 2 41
Attribution Theory Component 2 41
Confidence and Self-Efficacy Component 2 57
Leadership Component 2 56
The Emergence of Modern Sport Component 2 56
Equality, Diversity and Migration in Sport Component 2 36
The Globalisation of Sport Component 2 48
The Commercialisation of Sport Component 2 46
Ethics and Deviance in Sport Component 2 48
Sport and the Media Component 2 36
Talent Identification and Elite Development Component 2 50
Participation and the Health of the Nation Component 2 37

Assessment details from the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physical Education (9PE0), specification issue 4, September 2026. Pearson Edexcel specification.

Every paper is covered, because the guide runs the whole specification.Get the guide, £8

Edexcel A-Level Physical Education Active Recall Guide

2,108 questions across every paper on the specification.

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