1. Specimen Paper ANSWERS
SHAREEN
These questions are linked to the scenario information which was released before
the examination and which is copied below.
Shareen is 16 years old. She has been regularly competing as an athlete since
starting High School. She showed potential as a runner and by Year 9 she
represented her school at County level. She then won the National Championships.
In her early career she only ran middle distance races, specialising in the 800
metres. In the last year she has increased the distances of her competitive runs to
include 1500 metres and 3000 metres. Last winter she also started to run in the cross
country team for her school. She wants to take part in a sponsored 10 kilometre fun
run in three months time to help raise funds for a local charity.
19 (a) What aspect of fitness will Shareen need to develop?
(a) Aspect of fitness
One mark can be awarded for endurance/high levels of stamina.
(1 mark)
(b) Explain how anxiety may affect Shareen’s performance on the day of the
fun run.
(b) Effects of anxiety
Award up to three marks for a correct explanation – the level of performance
could increase/ as a result of increased arousal/ or the level of performance
could decrease/ as a result of Shareen becoming nervous/worried/concerned/
about the number of people watching the event.
(3 marks)
(c) Describe a training method that would be suitable preparation for the fun
run?
(c) Suitable training methods
These will be identified and also outlined. Just identifying a particular training
method without describing it will not be sufficient.
(1 mark)
(d) Explain why this would be the best training method for Shareen.
(Answer in continuous prose)
(d) Justification for chosen training method
Level 0
0 marks
Inappropriate answer showing no justification for the training method
chosen.
Level 1
1-2 marks
Candidates’ answers show basic justification for the training method
chosen. Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with

2. some accuracy and use a limited number of specialist terms appropriately.
Level 2
3-5 marks
Candidates’ answers show reasonable justification for the training method
chosen. Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with
reasonable accuracy and use a range of specialist terms appropriately.
Level 3
6-7 marks
Candidates’ answers show sound justification for the training method
chosen. Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar
accurately and use a wide range of specialist terms precisely and adeptly.
The training method must be related to increasing levels of endurance and the
candidates are likely to refer to continuous training or fartlek training. As long as
they can justify and clarify what taking part in the particular training method is
bringing to increasing levels of endurance then credit can be given. Candidates
may refer to specifics such as using a treadmill/ or training to build up a specific
area/ (such as abdominals/ for core stability)/ which may assist levels of
performance.
(7 marks)
(Total 12 marks)
20 (a) Describe a suitable meal for Shareen the night before the fun run.
20 (a) Dietary considerations the night before
Candidates are likely to refer to a high carbohydrate loading diet/ such as pasta/
similar to the pasta party for competitors in the London Marathon/ to provide the
body with stores of glycogen/ which will help the athlete to keep going/delay the
onset of fatigue/ as pasta contains starch/ which is a complex carbohydrate
(polysaccharide)/ and as such provides slow release of energy.
(5 marks)
(b) State and explain the principles of training she would need to consider.
(b) Principles of training used
It is expected that candidates will refer to specificity, progression, overload
(frequency, intensity, duration and perhaps even the element of avoiding tedium)
and reversibility. These terms must be clearly understood and no credit will be
given for simply just stating them without some clear indication that the term is
understood. Eg Specificity/ - as the performer is intending to run a 10k race/ the
prime consideration will be to be running long distances/ and the progression/
would be by gradually building up/ the distance run in training sessions.
(max 8 marks)

3. (c) The race will be in July and it could be very hot and sunny. What advice
wouldyou give Shareen to help her complete the run safely? (Answer in
continuous prose)
(c) Weather and temperature considerations
Level 0
0 marks
Inappropriate answer showing no understanding.
Level 1
1-2 marks
Candidates’ answers show basic understanding. Candidates spell, punctuate and
use the rules of grammar with some accuracy and use a limited number of specialist
terms appropriately.
Level 2
3-5 marks
Candidates’ answers show reasonable understanding. Candidates spell, punctuate
and use the rules of grammar with reasonable accuracy and use a range of specialist
terms appropriately.
Level 3
6-8 marks
Candidates’ answers show sound understanding. Candidates spell,
punctuate and use the rules of grammar accurately and use a wide range
of specialist terms precisely and adeptly. Candidates may make reference to wearing
lightweight clothing/ possibly climacool/ or climate /to assist with cooling the body/ by
“wicking” sweat away/and helping to keep the body cool./ Sunscreen or suncreams/
will reduce risk of sunburn. Dehydration/ would be a risk/ so she should take on
water/ at water station / and may also pour water over her/ to help reduce the risk of
overheating.
(8 marks)
(d) Describe and explain a suitable warm up that Shareen should carry out
before taking part in the run.
(d) Warm up
Candidates should be given credit for explaining the importance of the various
stages and components of a warm up including stretching exercises/ to extend
muscles/ and tendons/ to prevent muscle pulls./ Accept descriptions and
explanations of specific muscle stretches, eg quadriceps/hamstrings stretch/ also
give credit for the need to stretch opposing muscles/ in antagonistic pairs.
Gentle jogging/ to increase heart rate/increase breathing rate./ Credit the need
for mental preparation.
(7 marks)

4. Specimen Paper Questions
SHAREEN
These questions are linked to the scenario information which was released before
the examination and which is copied below.
Shareen is 16 years old. She has been regularly competing as an athlete since
starting High School. She showed potential as a runner and by Year 9 she
represented her school at County level. She then won the National Championships.
In her early career she only ran middle distance races, specialising in the 800
metres. In the last year she has increased the distances of her competitive runs to
include 1500 metres and 3000 metres. Last winter she also started to run in the cross
country team for her school. She wants to take part in a sponsored 10 kilometre fun
run in three months time to help raise funds for a local charity.
19 (a) What aspect of fitness will Shareen need to develop?
(1 mark)
(b) Explain how anxiety may affect Shareen’s performance on the day of the
fun run.
(3 marks)
(c) Describe a training method that would be suitable preparation for the fun
run?
(1 mark)
(d) Explain why this would be the best training method for Shareen.
(Answer in continuous prose)
(7 marks)
20 (a) Describe a suitable meal for Shareen the night before the fun run.
(5 marks)
(b) State and explain the principles of training she would need to consider.
(8 marks)
(c) The race will be in July and it could be very hot and sunny. What advice
wouldyou give Shareen to help her complete the run safely? (Answer in
continuous prose)
(8 marks)
(d) Describe and explain a suitable warm up that Shareen should carry out
before taking part in the run.
(7 marks)

5. Rachel
SECTION C QUESTIONS
Rachel is a popular 15-year-old girl who belongs to a ‘sporty’ family. She attends the
local comprehensive school where she is a prefect and sports captain. Rachel is due
to take GCSE Physical Education at the end of the school year. She is interested in
sports technology and is a Young Ambassador.
Rachel enjoys sport and has represented the school and county at football,
swimming and cross country. Rachel’s cross country running helps her keep fit to
play in the midfield for football and to take part in four swimming sessions a week.
Outside of school, Rachel has been a member of a swimming club, where her mother
is a coach, since she was six years old. She has, with a group of friends, just become
a member of a newly formed local football club, which is struggling to establish itself.
She trains and competes regularly for both clubs. In her role as sports captain,
Rachel helps to organise sports competitions for younger students in her school and
assists the Physical Education Department with lunchtime activities.
1 – Rachel helps put with lunch time activities at school as an organiser.
A – What other roles has Rachel’s GCSE course prepared her to play?
(4 marks)
B – What are the main qualities needed to be an organiser?
(4 marks)
2–
A - What is the PESSCL strategy and how is it aimed to be delivered?
(3 marks)
B – What was the strategy to ensure PESSCL was successful?
(8 marks)
C – How could Rachel have been involved in the PESSCL strategy at her
school?
(4 marks)
3–
A – Describe a suitable training method for Rachel’s new football team?
(1 mark)
B - Explain why this would be the best training method for Rachel and her
team?
(7 marks)
4 – What 2 nutrients would be important for Rachel in her busy training
schedule?
(7 marks)

6. Rachel
SECTION C QUESTIONS
Rachel is a popular 15-year-old girl who belongs to a ‘sporty’ family. She attends the
local comprehensive school where she is a prefect and sports captain. Rachel is due
to take GCSE Physical Education at the end of the school year. She is interested in
sports technology and is a Young Ambassador.
Rachel enjoys sport and has represented the school and county at football,
swimming and cross country. Rachel’s cross country running helps her keep fit to
play in the midfield for football and to take part in four swimming sessions a week.
Outside of school, Rachel has been a member of a swimming club, where her mother
is a coach, since she was six years old. She has, with a group of friends, just become
a member of a newly formed local football club, which is struggling to establish itself.
She trains and competes regularly for both clubs. In her role as sports captain,
Rachel helps to organise sports competitions for younger students in her school and
assists the Physical Education Department with lunchtime activities.
1 – Rachel helps put with lunch time activities at school as an organiser.
A – What other roles has Rachel’s GCSE course prepared her to undertake?
(4 marks)
• Player/performer
• Leader
• Coach
• Choreographer
• Official
B – What are the main qualities needed to be an organiser?
(4 marks)
• Manage/organise people/player/performers/supporters
• Time management and control
• Facility booking and organising
• Equipment booking and organisation
• Problem solving when issues arise
Plus any other suitable answers
2–
A - What is the PESSCL strategy and how is it aimed to be delivered?
(3 marks)
Students should gain credit for making reference to the four hours of sport per a
week (1 mark),
students should should make links to the two hours of PE in delivered WITHIN the
curriculum (1 mark)
Students should state that 2 more hours comes outside curriculum time via
• School
• Community activities

7. • External club provisions and links (2 marks)
TOTAL – 4 marks
B – What was the strategy to ensure PESSCL was successful?
(8 marks)
8 strands page 93 AQA GCSE BOOK
Level 0
0 marks
Inappropriate answer showing no understanding.
Level 1
1-2 marks
Candidates’ answers show basic understanding of the ‘8 STRANDS’. Candidates
spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with some accuracy and use a limited
number of specialist terms appropriately.
Level 2
3-5 marks
Candidates’ answers show reasonable understanding of the 8 STRANDS and what
they do. Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of grammar with reasonable
accuracy and use a range of specialist terms appropriately.
Level 3
6-8 marks
Candidates’ answers show sound understanding of the 8 STRANDS. Candidates
spell,punctuate and use the rules of grammar accurately and use a wide range
of specialist terms precisely and adeptly. Candidates may make reference to
Specialist sport colleges/ and how they provide specialist provisions for sports/
through facilities and inter and intra school sport. Students may discuss the School
sports partnership and what it is/ and how SSCO’s work within this framework to
create sporting opportunities/ for students from across the partnership/including
festivals/external coaches. (8 marks)
accept other answers linked to the 8 strands
C – How could Rachel have been involved in the PESSCL strategy at her
school?
(4 marks)
Students will be probably make reference to sports festivals being held in junior
schools by older students or lunchtime/after school activities being run by older
students for junior students. An example would be expected.

8. 3–
A – Describe a suitable training method for Rachel’s new football team?
(1 mark)
Interval or Fartlek
B - Explain why this would be the best training method for Rachel and her
football team?
(7 marks)
• Interval/Fartlek training involves changes in speed/ and from elements of
work to periods of rest
• This is specific to the nature of football/ which involves a range of sprints, jogs
and walking/ across the 90 minutes
• Long interval training because football lasts for 90minutes
o 15secs – 3 mins of work
o 80-85% of max
o Work time period = rest time period
4 – What 2 nutrients would be important for Rachel in her busy training
schedule?
(7 marks)
1. Carbohydrates
o Complex
o E.g. pasta, rice, potatoes
o Slow release energy for the duration of her football and swimming
sessions
2. Protein
o Repair damaged tissue from training and competition
o Chicken, fish, meat
3. Fats
o Unsaturated
o Energy source for low intensity activities
o Fish, nuts
4. Water
o Water
o Helps hydrate the body after sweating
o Helps the bodies chemical reactions take place
Accept any other reasonable answers