Proposed assessment arrangements GCSEs in physical education are currently assessed using a mixture of assessment and non-exam assessment. At present 40 per cent of the marks are allocated to exam assessment and 60 per cent to non-exam assessment. The new draft content, on which the DfE is consulting, places greater emphasis on assessing theoretical knowledge and understanding of the students’ physical, scientific and socio-cultural factors that can have an impact on physical performance. Given this change, and taking into account exam boards’ experience of awarding the current qualifications, we propose that non-exam assessment should account for 30 per cent of the marks for new GCSEs in physical education. This proposed approach should provide an appropriate balance between the assessment of performance and theory that reflects the expectations contained in the draft subject content. Defining the percentage of marks to be allocated to exam and non-exam assessment, thereby removing the current flexibility in this area, will also enhance comparability between different qualifications. Tiering Currently GCSEs in physical education are not tiered. We propose that the new GCSEs in physical education should not be tiered either. Proposed assessment objectives The proposed assessment objectives are clearer than the current ones for the subject. We propose that the current permitted weighting ranges should be replaced with an absolute weighting to enhance comparability between different qualifications in this subject. Assessment objectives Weighting AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific, 30% socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific, 40% and practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories, in theoretical and practical contexts AO3 Analyse and evaluate scientific, socio-cultural and 30% practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories, in theoretical and practical contexts.
Proposed assessment arrangements GCSEs in physical education are currently assessed using a mixture of assessment and non-exam assessment. At present 40 per cent of the marks are allocated to exam assessment and 60 per cent to non-exam assessment. The new draft content, on which the DfE is consulting, places greater emphasis on assessing students’ theoretical knowledge and understanding of the physical, scientific and socio-cultural factors that can have an impact on physical performance. Given this change, and taking into account exam boards’ experience of awarding the current qualifications, we propose that non-exam assessment should account for 30 per cent of the marks for new GCSEs in physical education. This proposed approach should provide an appropriate balance between the assessment of performance and theory that reflects the expectations contained in the draft subject content. Defining the percentage of marks to be allocated to exam and non-exam assessment, thereby removing the current flexibility in this area, will also enhance comparability between different qualifications. Tiering Currently GCSEs in physical education are not tiered. We propose that the new GCSEs in physical education should not be tiered either. Proposed assessment objectives The proposed assessment objectives are clearer than the current ones for the subject. We propose that the current permitted weighting ranges should be replaced with an absolute weighting to enhance comparability between different qualifications in this subject. Assessment objectives Weighting AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories 30% AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific, and practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories, in theoretical and practical contexts 40% AO3 Analyse and evaluate scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical activity and sport, including concepts and theories, in theoretical and practical contexts. 30%