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  • Cambridge International AS & A Level Physical Education (9396)

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physical Education (9396)

Syllabus overview

The Physical Education syllabus is both practical and theoretical, covering anatomy and physiology, movement skills and contemporary studies in sport. Learners are encouraged to try out a range of physical activities, including team and individual sports, games, and outdoor activities, and then use the theoretical knowledge they have gained to analyse the different factors influencing performance. 

The course also encourages learners to understand and explain global trends in Physical Education and Sport. We are replacing this syllabus with Cambridge International AS Level Sport & Physical Education (8386). Please see the withdrawal notice below for more details.

Syllabuses

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

  • 2023 Syllabus (PDF, 461KB)

Syllabus support

  • A Level Coursework Guidelines (PDF, 773KB)
  • AS Level Coursework Guidelines (PDF, 892KB)

Syllabus updates

  • Summary of the changes
    • What are the main changes to the syllabus?

      We have:

      • changed this course to a Cambridge International AS Level only syllabus titled ‘Sport & Physical Education’ with the syllabus code 8386
      • introduced key concepts to the syllabus to reflect the overarching ideas that run throughout sport and physical education
      • updated the learning outcomes to provide clarity on the depth each topic should be taught
      • removed and added topics; making sure that the teaching time is still within the guided learning hours
      • included a list of command words with definitions

      What are the main changes to the assessment?

      • This syllabus is now a Cambridge International AS Level only syllabus consisting of two components each weighted at 50% of the qualification.
      • The number of marks and the duration for Component 1 has been reduced to reflect the reduction in weighting of this component.
      • Candidates are no longer required to choose from activity profiles. They choose any two activities from the physical activities in the syllabus.
      • In Component 2 candidates will be assessed against generic assessment criteria.
      • The requirement for candidates to produce a written action plan has been removed.
      • Coursework information can be found in the syllabus document rather than in a Coursework Guidelines Booklet.

      When do these changes take place?

      The updated syllabus is for examination from the June 2024 series onwards. Examinations are available in the June and November series. Please see the 2024-2026 syllabus above for full details.

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Important notices

  • Resubmitting moderated coursework from 2020 onward
    • From 2020, we are changing our policy on the resubmission of moderated coursework. You will no longer be able to resubmit moderated coursework for a future series. Find out how this will impact Cambridge International AS and A Level Physical Education (9396)

  • Withdrawal of Cambridge International AS & A Level Physical Education (9396)
    • We are withdrawing Cambridge International AS & A Level Physical Education (9396). The final examination for this syllabus at both AS and A Level will be November 2023.

      New - Cambridge International AS Level syllabus in Sport & Physical Education (8386)

      We will continue to provide an engaging and high-quality syllabus at AS Level in Physical Education. There is a new AS only syllabus in Sport & Physical Education for first examination in June 2024. This syllabus (8386) will be available in the June and November exam series.

      We communicated this information to schools in September 2020.

School Support Hub

We provide a wide range of support so that teachers can give their learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge programmes and qualifications. For teachers at registered Cambridge schools, support materials for specific syllabuses are available from the School Support Hub (username and password required).

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