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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Mental preparation strategies

How often Mental preparation strategies comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Mental preparation strategies, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Mental preparation strategies.

(a)In SMART goal-setting, what does the M stand for?
  1. Motivational
  2. Measurable
  3. Maximal
(b)Which is a performance goal rather than an outcome goal?
  1. Beat my rival in the final
  2. Win the county final
  3. Cut my 400 m time by 0.5 s
(c)A diver mentally rehearses each phase of the dive, feeling it, before stepping up. This is?
  1. Imagery (visualisation)
  2. Progressive muscle relaxation
  3. Thought-stopping
Show the answers

(a) Measurable

(b) Cut my 400 m time by 0.5 s

(c) Imagery (visualisation)

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Mental preparation strategies.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q17
2024Q3, Q18
2023Q12
2022Q3
2021Q18

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Mental preparation strategies questions

Mental preparation strategies, 2 marks

In SMART goal-setting, what does the A usually stand for?

  1. Aerobic
  2. Accurate
  3. Achievable
Show the answer

Achievable

SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable (some use Agreed), Realistic, Time-bound. A goal the performer can reach with effort keeps them motivated.

Mental preparation strategies, 2 marks

Seeing yourself perform from the outside, as if on a video screen, is?

  1. Thought-stopping
  2. External imagery
  3. Internal imagery
Show the answer

External imagery

External imagery views the performance as a spectator would. Internal imagery sees and feels it through the performer's own eyes and body.

Mental preparation strategies, 3 marks

Why should a player review her goals during the season?

  1. To adjust goals that are too easy or too hard
  2. Goals must never change once they are set
  3. To swap all performance goals for outcome goals
Show the answer

To adjust goals that are too easy or too hard

Goals that are too hard hurt confidence; goals that are too easy stop progress. Regular review keeps them challenging but achievable, as injury or progress changes things.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q15
2024Q13
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Q13, Q17

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Mental preparation strategies questions

Mental preparation strategies, 3 marks

A benefit of visualisation is that it…

  1. Replaces all physical training completely and forever
  2. Needs expensive equipment and a coach
  3. Can be practised anywhere, even when injured
Show the answer

Can be practised anywhere, even when injured

Picturing a skill in your mind can be done at home or on the bench. It works best alongside real practice.

Mental preparation strategies, 2 marks

Deep breathing before a game mainly helps to…

  1. Improve flexibility of the hips
  2. Calm nerves and lower heart rate
  3. Build muscle strength
Show the answer

Calm nerves and lower heart rate

Slow, deep breaths relax the body and ease physical signs of nerves, such as tense muscles.

Mental preparation strategies, 3 marks

A drawback of goal-setting is that…

  1. Goals that are too hard can lower confidence
  2. Goals always make players lazy and bored
  3. Goals can never be measured or checked
Show the answer

Goals that are too hard can lower confidence

Goals should be SMART. A goal that is not realistic can leave a player feeling like a failure.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education