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100+ Free GCSE Physical Education Practice Questions

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Key Facts: GCSE Physical Education Exam

9-1

Grading scale

Ofqual

May-June

Exam series

AQA, Edexcel, OCR timetable

3 boards

Specifications available

AQA, Edexcel, OCR

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

AQA, Edexcel, OCR GCSE Physical Education is assessed through linear end-of-course exam papers (Key Stage 4). Coverage spans applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, physical training, and grading uses the 9-1 scale on 2026 specifications.

Sample GCSE Physical Education Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GCSE Physical Education exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which type of bone is the femur classified as?
A.Short bone
B.Flat bone
C.Long bone
D.Irregular bone
Explanation: The femur is a long bone — long bones are longer than they are wide and act as levers for movement, producing a large range of motion at the hip and knee. They also produce red and white blood cells in the marrow.
2Which joint type is found at the elbow?
A.Ball and socket
B.Hinge
C.Pivot
D.Gliding
Explanation: The elbow is a hinge joint, allowing flexion and extension in one plane only (the sagittal plane). The humerus articulates with the ulna at the trochlea to produce this single-plane movement.
3During the upward phase of a biceps curl, which muscle acts as the agonist?
A.Triceps brachii
B.Biceps brachii
C.Deltoid
D.Latissimus dorsi
Explanation: The biceps brachii is the agonist (prime mover) during the upward phase of a biceps curl because it contracts concentrically to produce flexion at the elbow. The triceps brachii relaxes as the antagonist.
4What is the correct pathway of air during inspiration?
A.Mouth/nose, larynx, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
B.Mouth/nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
C.Mouth/nose, trachea, larynx, pharynx, bronchi, alveoli, bronchioles
D.Mouth/nose, pharynx, trachea, larynx, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli
Explanation: Air enters the mouth/nose, passes through the pharynx (throat), then the larynx (voice box), down the trachea (windpipe), into the bronchi, the smaller bronchioles, and finally reaches the alveoli where gaseous exchange occurs.
5Where does gaseous exchange take place in the lungs?
A.Bronchi
B.Trachea
C.Alveoli
D.Pleura
Explanation: Gaseous exchange occurs in the alveoli — tiny air sacs with thin walls (one cell thick), a large surface area and a rich capillary network. Oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out down their concentration gradients.
6What is the correct order of blood flow through the heart starting from deoxygenated blood entering?
A.Right atrium, right ventricle, lungs, left atrium, left ventricle, body
B.Left atrium, left ventricle, lungs, right atrium, right ventricle, body
C.Right ventricle, right atrium, lungs, left ventricle, left atrium, body
D.Right atrium, left atrium, lungs, right ventricle, left ventricle, body
Explanation: Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium via the vena cava, passes to the right ventricle, is pumped to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, returns oxygenated to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein, then to the left ventricle and out to the body via the aorta.
7Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A.Pulmonary artery
B.Aorta
C.Vena cava
D.Pulmonary vein
Explanation: The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart. It is unusual because most veins carry deoxygenated blood, but this one transports oxygen-rich blood back from the gas exchange surfaces.
8Which of the following is a short-term effect of exercise?
A.Cardiac hypertrophy
B.Increased bone density
C.Increased heart rate
D.Increased capillarisation
Explanation: An increased heart rate is an immediate short-term response to exercise. The heart pumps faster to deliver more oxygenated blood to working muscles and remove waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
9Which large muscle of the back extends and adducts the shoulder, often used in pull-ups?
A.Trapezius
B.Latissimus dorsi
C.Pectorals
D.Deltoid
Explanation: The latissimus dorsi is a large, broad muscle of the back that extends, adducts and medially rotates the shoulder. It is the primary mover in a pull-up's downward (concentric) pulling phase.
10At the elbow during a biceps curl, which class of lever is in operation?
A.First class
B.Second class
C.Third class
D.Fourth class
Explanation: A biceps curl is a third class lever: the effort (biceps insertion just below the elbow) is between the fulcrum (elbow joint) and the load (weight in the hand). Third class levers prioritise speed and range of motion over mechanical advantage.

About the GCSE Physical Education Exam

GCSE Physical Education is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR as part of the UK General Certificate of Secondary Education qualification framework. The course covers applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, physical training, use of data and is assessed primarily through written exam papers at the end of the two-year course.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3-5 hours total across multiple papers

Passing Score

Grade 4 is the standard pass, Grade 5 is the strong pass (1-9 scale)

Exam Fee

£40-£80 per subject (school-set entry fee) (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

GCSE Physical Education Exam Content Outline

Core

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory systems; effects of exercise

Core

Movement Analysis

Lever systems, planes and axes of movement, mechanical advantage in sport

Core

Physical Training

Components of fitness, principles of training, methods of training, prevention of injury

Core

Sports Psychology

Skill classification, types of practice, mental preparation, goal setting, arousal, anxiety

Core

Socio-Cultural Influences

Engagement patterns, commercialisation of sport, ethical and socio-cultural issues

Core

Health, Fitness and Well-being

Physical, emotional, social health; diet and nutrition; sedentary lifestyle consequences

Core

Use of Data

Quantitative and qualitative data, presentation and analysis of fitness test results

How to Pass the GCSE Physical Education Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade 4 is the standard pass, Grade 5 is the strong pass (1-9 scale)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3-5 hours total across multiple papers
  • Exam fee: £40-£80 per subject (school-set entry fee)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GCSE Physical Education Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use past papers from your specific exam board — questions follow the same style year on year
2Time yourself on full papers to build pacing for the long extended-response questions
3Build a clear understanding of mark schemes — examiners reward specific assessment objectives
4Review examiner reports each summer; common errors repeat

Frequently Asked Questions

What exam boards offer GCSE Physical Education?

GCSE Physical Education is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR. All boards follow Ofqual subject content but vary in the choice of set texts, optional topics, and paper structure.

When is the GCSE Physical Education exam taken?

Exams are written in the May-June series at the end of the two-year Key Stage 4 course. Most students sit the papers in Year 11.

How is GCSE Physical Education graded?

GCSEs are graded on the 9-1 scale, where 9 is the highest grade. A grade 4 is a standard pass, and grade 5 is a strong pass. Grade 7 is broadly equivalent to the old A grade.

How many papers does GCSE Physical Education have?

Most GCSE subjects have 2-3 written papers. The exact number, timing, and weighting depend on the chosen exam board. Some subjects also include a non-examined assessment (NEA) coursework component.