AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 6

✅ Correct Answer & Mark Breakdown

This question is worth 2 marks total:

• Mark 1 (AO1): Both axes correctly labelled:
  • Vertical axis (y-axis): Performance or Performance level
  • Horizontal axis (x-axis): Arousal or Arousal level
• Mark 2 (AO2): Correctly sketched curve:
  • A smooth, symmetrical, inverted-U shape (bell curve/upside-down 'U') starting low on the left, peaking centrally near the top, and declining back down to low on the right.

💡 Key Knowledge: Inverted-U Theory

• Under-aroused: When arousal is low, performance is low (athlete may feel sluggish, bored, or unmotivated).
• Optimal arousal: As arousal increases, performance improves up to an optimum point (the peak of the curve).
• Over-aroused: If arousal increases beyond the optimal point, performance drops significantly (anxiety, panic, loss of focus).

1. Labelling the Axes:

• Write Performance along the left-hand vertical edge between "Low" and "High".
• Write Arousal along the bottom horizontal edge between "Low" and "High".

2. Sketching the Curve:

• Start your line just above the bottom-left corner (near Low arousal / Low performance).
• Curve smoothly upwards toward the centre of the grid, reaching its maximum height (optimal performance) roughly halfway across the x-axis.
• Curve back downwards symmetrically, finishing just above the bottom-right corner (High arousal / Low performance).

🧠 Exam Technique & Examiner Tips

• Check both bullet points: The question gives two clear prompts: "Sketch the curve" and "Label the axes". Each carries 1 mark.
• Use pencil first: Draw the curve with a sharp pencil so you can erase and correct any wonky or jagged lines before going over it.
• Keep it symmetrical: The peak of optimal arousal should sit approximately in the middle of the arousal axis.

❌ Common Student Errors

• Swapping the axes: Putting Arousal on the vertical axis and Performance on the horizontal axis gets 0 marks for the labels. Remember: Performance depends on Arousal, so Performance goes on the y-axis.
• Forgetting to label: Many students draw the curve perfectly but rush past the labels, dropping an easy mark.
• Drawing a straight line / Drive Theory: Drawing a diagonal straight line showing that performance just keeps going up. That is Drive Theory, not Inverted-U!
• Drawing Catastrophe Theory: Adding a vertical drop-off line. The Inverted-U is a smooth, gradual curve on both sides.