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AQA GCSE PE

AQA GCSE PE Paper 2 practice questions

Paper 2 is worth 30% of AQA GCSE PE. The questions below are original practice questions with worked answers, so you can test yourself the way the real exam will — and see exactly what an examiner is looking for.

What is on Paper 2?

  • Paper 2 covers socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport.
  • It is a written paper of 1 hour 15 minutes, worth 78 marks — 30% of the GCSE.
  • Questions are a mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer extended responses.
  • Always check the latest specification on your exam board's website, as details can change between exam years.

Paper 2 practice questions with answers

8 original questions across the 4 Paper 2 topics. Try each one before reading the answer.

  1. Sports psychology

    1. A free throw in basketball is an example of which type of skill?

    • • Open skill
    • • Closed skill
    • • Reactive skill
    • • Externally paced skill

    Answer: Closed skill

    It is unaffected by opponents or environment and performed in a fixed way.

  2. Sports psychology

    2. Returning a tennis serve is an example of which pacing?

    • • Self-paced
    • • Externally paced
    • • Fine paced
    • • Gross paced

    Answer: Externally paced

    The action is started by another performer's serve, not the receiver's own choice.

  3. Socio-cultural influences and participation

    3. Which of these is a common barrier to participation in sport?

    • • Cost
    • • Enjoyment
    • • Fitness
    • • Skill level only

    Answer: Cost

    Cost of equipment, membership or travel can prevent people taking part.

  4. Socio-cultural influences and participation

    4. Name one group whose participation is often affected by socio-economic factors.

    Answer: Lower-income groups / people from deprived areas

    Cost and access to facilities can be barriers for these groups.

  5. Health, fitness and wellbeing

    5. Which definition best describes 'health'?

    • • Ability to meet demands of the environment
    • • A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing
    • • The absence of injury only
    • • The ability to run fast

    Answer: A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing

    Health covers more than just physical condition.

  6. Health, fitness and wellbeing

    6. Which is a social benefit of exercise?

    • • Reduced disease risk
    • • Improved friendships/teamwork
    • • Increased muscle mass
    • • Lower blood pressure

    Answer: Improved friendships/teamwork

    Social benefits relate to relationships and belonging, not physical changes.

  7. Commercialisation, drugs in sport and data analysis

    7. What does the 'golden triangle' describe?

    • • The relationship between sport, sponsorship and media
    • • A type of sports formation
    • • A drug testing procedure
    • • A method of data analysis

    Answer: The relationship between sport, sponsorship and media

    These three elements are interdependent in commercialised sport.

  8. Commercialisation, drugs in sport and data analysis

    8. Which is an advantage of commercialisation for performers?

    • • Higher wages
    • • Less media attention
    • • Reduced funding
    • • Fewer sponsorship deals

    Answer: Higher wages

    Increased money in sport often raises performer earnings.

Where Paper 2 marks are usually lost

  • Naming a bone, muscle or component of fitness without applying it to a sporting example.
  • Describing a training method without linking it to the type of performer it suits.
  • Misreading graphs and tables in data-analysis questions.
  • Writing one-sided answers to extended questions that need analysis and evaluation.
  • Confusing short-term and long-term effects of exercise.

How to pick up the extended-answer marks

  • Underline the command word and the focus of the question before writing — most dropped marks come from answering a different question.
  • Plan for one or two minutes: three or four points, each backed by evidence and explained.
  • Keep linking back to the question in every paragraph, not just the conclusion.
  • For 'evaluate' or 'how far do you agree' questions, weigh both sides and finish with a clear judgement.

Timing that works under pressure

  • Check the marks per question and give each one time in proportion, keeping spare minutes for checking at the end.
  • Bank the short questions first, then return to the longer answers with your remaining time.
  • If a question stalls for more than two minutes, write down what you know and move on — partial marks still count.
  • Leave five minutes to check spelling of key terms, units and whether any question part was skipped over a page break.

Practise the whole paper in the app

These Paper 2 topics have 300 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.

Open GCSE PE Cram mode

Revise each Paper 2 topic

AQA PE Paper 2 FAQs

What topics are on AQA GCSE PE Paper 2?
Paper 2 assesses sports psychology, socio-cultural influences, health, fitness and wellbeing, and use of data.
How long is AQA GCSE PE Paper 2?
It is a 1 hour 15 minutes written exam worth 78 marks, which is 30% of the GCSE. Check your board's latest specification for any changes.
How should I revise for PE Paper 2?
Practise answering questions rather than rereading notes. Short daily sets of five questions per topic, marked straight away, expose weak areas faster than a long passive revision session.

ReviseRush is an independent educational revision aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Pearson or any exam board. All notes and questions are original. Always check content against your official course and specification. No grade outcome is guaranteed.