AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 24
3 marks · Easy difficulty · Short Answer
Use normative data tables for the Sit-Up Bleep Test to determine performance levels and explain why the test score is quantitative data.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
24 Figure 7 shows the national averages for the Sit-Up Bleep Test for males and
females.
Figure 7
Male
Age
Muscular endurance
20–29 30–39 40–49
Excellent 48+ 40+ 35+
Good 38–47 31–39 26–34
Average 34–37 27–30 22–25
Below Average 26–33 21–26 15–21
Poor below 26 below 21 below 15
Female
Age
Muscular endurance
20–29 30–39 40–49
Excellent 38+ 30+ 26+
Good 29–37 24–29 20–25
Average 23–28 19–23 14–19
Below Average 16–22 12–18 10–13
Poor below 1617 below 12 below 10
24.1 George and Lisa have completed the Sit-Up Bleep Test. The following results were
recorded.
• George is a 26 year-old male and scored 43.
• Lisa is a 34 year-old female and scored 22.
Identify the level of George and Lisa’s muscular endurance using the data in
Figure 7.
[2 marks]
George
Lisa
24.2 Identify why the score for the Sit-Up Bleep Test is quantitative data.
[1 mark]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
24 Figure 7 shows the national averages for the Sit-Up Bleep Test for males and
females.
Figure 7
Male
Age
Muscular endurance
20–29 30–39 40–49
Excellent 48+ 40+ 35+
Good 38–47 31–39 26–34
Average 34–37 27–30 22–25
Below Average 26–33 21–26 15–21
Poor below 26 below 21 below 15
Female
Age
Muscular endurance
20–29 30–39 40–49
Excellent 38+ 30+ 26+
Good 29–37 24–29 20–25
Average 23–28 19–23 14–19
Below Average 16–22 12–18 10–13
– – –
Poor below 16 below 12 below 10
24.1 George and Lisa have completed the Sit-Up Bleep Test. The following results were
recorded.
• George is a 26 year-old male and scored 43.
• Lisa is a 34 year-old female and scored 22.
Identify the level of George and Lisa’s muscular endurance using the data in
Figure 7.
[2 marks]
22Marks for this question: AO2 = 2
• George – good (1)
• Lisa – average (1)
Maximum 2 marks
24.2 Identify why the score for the Sit-Up Bleep Test is quantitative data.
[1 mark]
Marks for this question: AO2 = 1
Award one mark for the following:
• The score is a number (1)
Maximum 1 mark
How to answer it
Sit-Up Bleep Test: Normative Data & Data Types
What this question tests
This question evaluates your ability to apply data analysis skills within GCSE Physical Education (Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport):
- AO2 Application: Accurately reading and interpreting normative tables using specific participant criteria (gender, age bracket, and test score).
- AO2 Understanding Data Collection: Defining and recognising the difference between quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (descriptive) fitness data.
Interpreting Muscular Endurance Normative Ratings
Matching scores to normative tables based on age and sex
✅ Correct Answer
- George: Good (1 mark)
- Lisa: Average (1 mark)
📐 Step-by-Step Lookup
- For George:
- Select the Male table.
- Find the age column: 26 years falls in 20–29 .
- Locate his score: 43 falls into the range 38–47 .
- Row descriptor = Good.
- For Lisa:
- Select the Female table.
- Find the age column: 34 years falls in 30–39 .
- Locate her score: 22 falls into the range 19–23 .
- Row descriptor = Average.
🧠 Exam Technique
- Double-check table headers: Students frequently mix up the male and female tables under timed exam pressure. Trace your finger across the row and down the column.
- Write only the category: Do not rewrite numbers, explain their score, or write "above average" when the table clearly says "Good". Write the exact category name given in the left-hand column.
❌ Common Errors
- Looking at the wrong age band (e.g. putting Lisa into the 20–29 bracket which would incorrectly give her "Below Average").
- Looking up George in the female table (a score of 43 in the 20–29 female band would be "Excellent").
- Inventing descriptive words like "Decent" or "Fair" instead of using the exact normative categories provided in the table.
Understanding Quantitative Data
Explaining why fitness test scores produce quantitative data
✅ Correct Answer
Any statement identifying that the data is numerical:
- The score is a number / it involves numbers / numerical data. (1 mark)
💡 Key Knowledge: Data Types
- Quantitative Data: Involves numbers and quantities (e.g. number of completed sit-ups, time in seconds, distance jumped). It can be objectively measured and compared statistically.
- Qualitative Data: Involves descriptions, opinions, and feelings (e.g. how tired a performer felt during the test, written coach feedback on technique).
🧠 Examiner Insight
- Keep it simple! The mark scheme specifically awards 1 mark for stating that "the score is a number".
- Do not overcomplicate your answer by discussing validity, reliability, or how the test was performed.
❌ Common Errors
- Confusing the terms: Defining qualitative instead of quantitative (remember: Quantitative = Tallies / numbers; Qualitative = Quality / words).
- Explaining test protocol (e.g. "because it tests abdominal endurance") rather than explaining why the data format is quantitative.
Topics
3.1 The human body and movement in physical activity and sport · 3.1.3 Physical training · 3.1.4 Use of data
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physical Education examination, Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.