Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short answer questions make up the majority of marks on both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Together, they account for roughly 70–75% of each paper. Mastering the technique for these question types is therefore essential for achieving a strong grade. This lesson covers strategies for tackling MCQs efficiently and writing short answers that hit every mark point.

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

How MCQs Work in AQA GCSE PE

Each MCQ presents a question or incomplete statement followed by four possible answers (A, B, C, D). Only one answer is correct. Each MCQ is worth 1 mark.

There are typically 4–6 MCQs per paper, appearing at the start of the paper. They cover a range of topics and test AO1 (knowledge and recall).

MCQ Strategy

graph TD
    A["Read the question carefully"] --> B["Try to answer BEFORE<br/>looking at the options"]
    B --> C["Read ALL four options"]
    C --> D{"Can you identify<br/>the correct answer?"}
    D -- "Yes" --> E["Select it and move on"]
    D -- "No" --> F["Eliminate options you<br/>KNOW are wrong"]
    F --> G{"How many options<br/>remain?"}
    G -- "One" --> E
    G -- "Two or three" --> H["Make your best<br/>educated guess"]
    H --> E
    style A fill:#2c3e50,color:#fff
    style B fill:#34495e,color:#fff
    style C fill:#2980b9,color:#fff
    style E fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style F fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style H fill:#f39c12,color:#fff

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully

Do not skim. Exam setters often include words like "not," "least," or "most" that change the meaning entirely.

Example: "Which of the following is not a function of the skeletal system?"

• If you miss the word "not," you will choose a correct function instead of an incorrect one.

Step 2: Try to Answer Before Looking at Options

Before reading A, B, C, D, think about what you believe the answer is. This prevents you from being distracted by plausible-sounding wrong answers (distractors).

Step 3: Read All Four Options

Even if option A looks correct, read B, C, and D. Sometimes two options look similar, and reading all four helps you identify the most precise answer.

Step 4: Eliminate Wrong Answers

If you are unsure, eliminate options you know are wrong. This narrows your choices and improves your odds.

Example: "Which type of lever has the fulcrum between the effort and the load?"

• A) First class ✓
• B) Second class ✗ (load is between fulcrum and effort)
• C) Third class ✗ (effort is between fulcrum and load)
• D) Fourth class ✗ (fourth class levers do not exist in the AQA specification)

Even if you were unsure, eliminating D (because fourth class levers are not on the specification) and knowing either B or C is wrong narrows your options significantly.

Step 5: Never Leave an MCQ Blank

There is no penalty for a wrong answer. A blank answer scores zero, but a guess gives you at least a 25% chance (1 in 4). If you have eliminated one option, your chance rises to 33%. If you have eliminated two, it rises to 50%.

Exam Tip: Spend no more than 1 minute per MCQ. If you are stuck, make your best guess, put a small mark next to the question, and come back to it at the end if you have time. Do not let MCQs eat into your time for higher-value questions.

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Common MCQ Traps

Trap	How It Works	How to Avoid It
Plausible distractors	Wrong answers that sound correct because they use PE terminology	Know your definitions precisely — vague knowledge is exploited by distractors
Opposite answers	Two options are the opposite of each other (e.g. "increases" and "decreases") — one of them is usually correct	If you spot a pair of opposites, the answer is very likely one of the two
"All of the above"	Tempting to select because it saves you choosing — but it is only correct if every option is genuinely right	Check each option individually. If even one is wrong, "all of the above" is wrong
Negatively worded questions	"Which is NOT..." or "Which of these is LEAST likely to..."	Underline the negative word. Consider each option: is it true? If so, eliminate it (because you want the untrue one)
Similar-sounding terms	Options include terms that are easily confused (e.g. "flexion" vs "extension," "isotonic" vs "isometric")	Revise pairs of easily confused terms together so you can distinguish them under pressure

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Short Answer Questions

How Short Answer Questions Work

Short answer questions are worth 1–4 marks each. They use point-based marking: the examiner has a list of acceptable answers, and you receive one mark for each valid point you make (up to the maximum).

The golden rule: the number of marks tells you how many points to make.

Marks Available	Points Needed	Typical Response Length
1 mark	1 point	One word, one phrase, or one sentence
2 marks	2 points	Two sentences or two bullet points
3 marks	3 points	Three sentences or a short paragraph
4 marks	4 points (or 2 points with development)	A short paragraph with developed points

Technique for 1-Mark Questions

Be brief and precise. One correct point is all you need.

"Name one method of training suitable for improving cardiovascular endurance." (1 mark)

• "Continuous training." ✓

You do not need to explain what continuous training is, why it improves cardiovascular endurance, or give an example. The question says "name" — so just name it.

Technique for 2-Mark Questions

Make two clear, distinct points. Avoid repeating the same point in different words.

"Give two reasons why a warm-up is important." (2 marks)

• "It increases heart rate, which delivers more oxygen to the working muscles." ✓
• "It reduces the risk of injury by increasing the temperature and elasticity of muscles." ✓

Exam Tip: If a 2-mark question asks for "two reasons" or "two examples," give exactly two. Some students write three or four hoping for extra credit, but this wastes time — you can only score a maximum of 2 marks.