A complete guide to Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education
Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education (specification 0413) is the international equivalent of GCSE PE, run by Cambridge Assessment International Education. It is sat by students at international schools worldwide and by some UK independent schools. The course is split across a written theory paper, a practical assessment in chosen sports, and a coursework component built around the analysis of performance.
This guide walks through everything you need to know to sit the qualification with confidence: How the components are weighted, what the theory paper covers, how the practical assessment runs, and the revision techniques that work best for Cambridge IGCSE PE.
Two components
Component 1 is a written theory paper. Component 2 is a coursework component combining practical performance in four chosen sports with an analysing and improving performance task.
Theory and practical balanced 50/50
Theory is worth 50% and coursework is worth 50%. Within the coursework, practical performance is the dominant element with the analysis task as a smaller sub-element.
Recognised worldwide
Accepted by universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and Asia as equivalent to UK GCSE.
How Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education is assessed
Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education is fully linear. The theory paper is sat in May/June or October/November. The coursework component (practical performance plus analysis) is evidenced over an extended period during the course and submitted by the school for moderation by Cambridge.
The qualification is not tiered – all students sit the same paper and any grade A* to G is in reach.
| Component | Content | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 1 (theory) | Written exam – structured questions on the theory topics | 1h 45m | 100 | 50% |
| Component 2 (coursework) | Practical performance in four chosen sports plus an analysing and improving performance task | n/a | 100 | 50% |
Two components, one grade Unlike most IGCSEs, Cambridge IGCSE PE blends a theory exam with an extensive coursework component covering both practical performance and an analysis task. The two components are weighted equally, so students need to perform on both to access the top grades. Within the coursework, practical performance is the dominant element and the analysis task is a smaller sub-element.
Paper 1: Theory
The theory paper is a written exam testing knowledge of the science and sociology of sport. It is split into structured questions covering the main theory areas of the specification.
Anatomy and physiology
The skeletal system, muscular system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and how each one responds to exercise both in the short term and over long-term training.
Health, fitness, and training
Components of fitness (strength, endurance, power, speed, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance, reaction time), principles of training (specificity, progression, overload, reversibility, tedium), training methods, and fitness testing.
Skill acquisition and psychology
Skill classification, information processing, feedback, motivation, arousal, and the impact of psychology on sport performance.
Social and cultural factors in sport
Participation in sport, barriers to participation, the role of media and sponsorship in sport, ethics and drugs in sport, and the international sporting calendar.
Exam tip for the theory paper Cambridge examiner reports consistently flag underdeveloped applied answers as the single biggest reason students drop marks. Every theory answer should ideally include an applied example from a named sport – not just the textbook definition.
Component 2: Practical performance
Students are assessed in four chosen sports across the categories in the Cambridge specification (games, athletics, swimming, racquet sports, combat sports, dance, gymnastics, outdoor and adventurous activities). Each sport is marked out of 25 and the total practical mark is out of 100.
The assessment runs over a sustained period (typically 10 to 15 weeks of evidence) rather than a single exam day. Students are filmed performing each sport, and the recordings are submitted to Cambridge for moderation.
Practical assessment preparation
- Choose four sports that play to your strengths and that your school can evidence
- Train consistently in all four – not just your strongest sport
- Use the assessment criteria as a checklist – know exactly what examiners are looking for
- Build a portfolio of recorded clips throughout the year, not just at the end
- Compete in school fixtures and competitions to get assessed in match conditions
- Work on weaknesses identified by your teacher early in the course
- Keep a training log to evidence consistency
Component 2: Analysing and improving performance
The analysis task sits inside the same Component 2 as the practical assessment. Students produce a written portfolio analysing their own performance, or that of a peer, in one chosen sport. The portfolio identifies strengths, weaknesses, and a structured action plan to improve. It is marked by the school and moderated by Cambridge.
Good portfolios link directly back to theory concepts (training principles, fitness components, skill classification, psychology) and use video evidence and data where possible. Practical performance is the dominant element of the coursework mark; the analysis task is a smaller sub-element.
Where students lose marks The most common reasons students lose marks are theory answers that lack applied sporting examples, a thin practical portfolio with few recorded clips, and coursework that describes a performance without analysing it. Apply, analyse, and link back to theory.
Grading
Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education is graded A* to G. There is no tiering. All students sit the same theory paper and follow the same practical and coursework requirements. Any grade is in reach.
Grade boundaries shift every series and are published by Cambridge on results day each August (for June) and January (for November). For PE, boundaries vary because so much of the grade is internally assessed and externally moderated rather than set by a single exam paper.
Want to see the latest boundaries? Cambridge publishes full grade threshold tables on the CAIE website for both the June and November series. Search for "Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education 0413 grade thresholds" plus the year and series.
5 tips for Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education revision
IGCSE PE is unusual in that it rewards consistent effort over a long period rather than a final exam push. The students who get A* are the ones who treat theory and practical as equal priorities from the start of the course.
1. Link every theory point to a sport you know
For every theory concept – muscle fibre types, principles of training, feedback in skill acquisition – build a single applied example from a sport you actually play. Examiners reward applied answers and penalise textbook recitation.
2. Train all four practical sports consistently
Many students rely on their strongest sport and let the others slip. Cambridge averages across four sports, so a weakness in one drags down the practical grade. Treat the weakest of your four sports as the priority for the final months.
3. Plan the analysis of performance early
The analysis portfolio sits inside the coursework component and is one of the easiest places to pick up marks if you start early. Choose a sport, gather video evidence over the year, and build the analysis around the theory topics covered in class.
4. Memorise the muscles and bones
Anatomy questions almost always feature in the theory paper. Memorise the names and locations of the major muscles and bones, and learn which muscle groups are agonists and antagonists for common movements. This is pure recall and free marks if drilled.
5. Use past papers as a diagnostic, not just practice
Mark your theory past papers honestly against the mark scheme. Write down which topic you are weakest on (anatomy, training, psychology, social factors). Target the weakest two before doing another paper.
