QCAA Physical Education exam-day guide
QCAA Physical Education · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver licence or passport) in case your school or venue checks identity before the practical session. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether school-issued ID is sufficient.
Subject-specific practical clothing
Pack the uniform, footwear, and any protective gear your chosen physical activity requires (e.g. enclosed running shoes, shin pads, swimwear). Confirm with the provider whether you change at the venue or arrive ready.
Water bottle and light snacks
Practical sessions can run across a full day with limited breaks. Bring a refillable water bottle and snacks that suit your activity. Check with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the performance areas.
Injury or medical documentation
If you have an injury, illness, or medical condition that may affect performance, bring supporting documentation (e.g. physiotherapy letter, medical certificate). Discuss any adjustment or extension with the provider well before the day.
Personal medication and first-aid items
Bring any prescribed medication (e.g. asthma inhaler, EpiPen) and strapping or tape you normally use. Tell the supervising teacher or examiner where it is and how to use it.
Written performance plan or cue sheet
Prepare a short summary of your performance goals, tactics, and warm-up routine. Confirm with the provider whether notes may be kept at the side of the performance area or must be left outside.
Arrival time and venue details
Confirm the exact venue, entry point, and reporting time at least a week ahead. Plan to arrive with buffer time for parking, sign-in, and changing. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are late.
Confirmed schedule and session order
Ask the provider for your session time and whether you perform individually or in a group. Knowing the order helps you time your warm-up and recovery.
Warm-up and cool-down equipment
Bring any resistance bands, foam roller, or equipment you use in your own warm-up, if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether personal equipment may be used in the performance area.
Knowledge of assessment criteria
Review the performance descriptors and skills being assessed so you know what the examiner is looking for. Ask your teacher to clarify any criterion you are unsure about before the day.
Backup clothing and towel
Bring a change of clothes and a towel, especially for outdoor or water-based activities. Confirm with the provider whether changing facilities and storage are available.
Emergency contact and transport plan
Have a parent or caregiver reachable and a confirmed way home, in case the session runs longer than expected. Share the venue details with them in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, reporting time, and what to bring with the provider. Re-read the assessment criteria and your performance plan. Keep training light: focus on technique, mobility, and sleep rather than heavy loading. Check equipment and clothing for wear, and organise ID and any medical documentation.
Pack your bag using the checklist and lay out clothing. Eat familiar meals and avoid trying new foods or supplements. Do light movement or visualisation only; no hard training. Set two alarms and confirm transport. Aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast you are used to and hydrate steadily. Arrive early enough to sign in, change, and settle. Complete a thorough warm-up suited to your activity, including dynamic mobility and sport-specific drills. Re-check your cue sheet and stay calm.
Listen carefully to examiner instructions and ask for clarification if a task is unclear. Perform your warm-up and routine as planned, pacing effort across the session. Use breaks to hydrate and recover, and cool down afterwards. If something goes wrong (e.g. equipment issue or injury), tell the examiner immediately rather than continuing.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from examiners and supervising staff, including safety directions and venue rules. If an instruction is unclear, ask before acting; confirm with the provider how disputes or concerns are raised.
Bring the identification the provider requires and be ready to show it at sign-in. Do not assume a particular ID type is accepted; confirm with the provider in advance.
Use only equipment and facilities approved by the examiner. Ask before using personal equipment in the performance area, and confirm with the provider whether it is permitted.
Report any injury, illness, or equipment failure to the examiner as soon as it occurs. Do not attempt to continue through pain or a safety hazard; ask the provider about adjustment or extension processes.
Breaks, rest periods, and access to water are set by the provider. Ask about the break schedule beforehand rather than leaving the performance area without permission.
Maintain academic integrity: perform your own work and do not accept coaching, signals, or assistance from spectators during the assessment. Confirm with the provider what communication with others is allowed.
Spectators and supporters must follow venue rules and must not interfere with the assessment. Check with the provider whether spectators are permitted and where they may stand.
Scoring is based on the published performance descriptors applied by the examiner. Do not ask for a score on the day; confirm with the provider how results and any appeals are handled.