Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education (0413): syllabus, papers and marking

Only the 100-mark Theory paper can be marked here; the practical coursework is assessed at the school. Answers are checked for the command word and for applying the point to the named activity.

Syllabus for examination in 2027 and 2028 (no significant changes from 2025–2026) · June and November series · grades A*–G

Physical Education 0413: where the marks go

Physical Education 0413 is a 100-mark Theory paper (1 h 45 min, 50%) and four practical activities assessed as coursework (50%). The Theory paper covers anatomy and physiology, health and fitness, skill acquisition and psychology, and social, cultural and ethical influences, with marks given for applying each point to a named activity.

We can set and mark the Theory paper. The practical coursework is assessed at the school.

How we mark a real script

Paper structure and what we mark

PaperTimeMarksWeightQuestions
Paper 1 — Theory1 h 45 min10050%Short and structured questions; all compulsory
Component 2 — Coursework—10050%Four physical activities from at least two categories; internally assessed, externally moderated

Syllabus outline

  1. Anatomy and physiology: muscles and antagonistic action, muscle fibre types, respiratory and circulatory systems
  2. Health, fitness and training: training principles, circuit training, warm-up and cool-down phases, recovery
  3. Skill acquisition and psychology: stages of learning, information processing
  4. Social, cultural and ethical influences: barriers to participation, media
  5. Practical activities: four from at least two categories (coursework)

How each paper is marked here

Where Physical Education 0413 candidates lose marks

  1. Command word and mark count ignored — Candidates are told to match the depth to the command word and the marks available.
  2. The example given is not used — The benefit or risk is stated but not applied to the activity named.
  3. Repeating what the question says — The risk or the example already given is restated and earns nothing.
  4. Specific benefit to a phase not given — Answers about a warm-up or cool-down phase stay generic.
  5. Heart and muscle labels mixed up — Atrium and ventricle confused, the wrong side of the heart, or the wrong agonist.

Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 0413

See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.

Questions teachers ask

Can it assess the practical activities?
No. They are coursework marked at the school.
Are diagrams included?
Yes, for anatomy and physiology questions.
Which syllabus years apply?
2027 and 2028, with no significant changes from 2025–2026.
Is this official Cambridge marking?
No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 0413. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
No. Every 0413 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2027 and 2028 (no significant changes from 2025–2026), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
Which papers are marked?
None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
How is the next paper chosen?
From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
When are the exams?
June and November series. Grades A*–G.

Other Cambridge IGCSE courses

Start marking Physical Education scripts · See a real marked script