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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Stages of skill learning

How often Stages of skill learning comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 2 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Stages of skill learning, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Stages of skill learning.

(a)In which stage of learning does a performer make many errors and think about every movement?
  1. Associative
  2. Cognitive
  3. Autonomous
(b)Which stage is marked by fewer errors as the learner practises and refines technique?
  1. Autonomous
  2. Cognitive
  3. Associative
(c)Why can a performer at the autonomous stage attend to tactics during play?
  1. The skill is automatic, freeing attention
  2. They have stopped making any errors
  3. They no longer need any feedback
Show the answers

(a) Cognitive

(b) Associative

(c) The skill is automatic, freeing attention

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Stages of skill learning.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q16
2024Not asked
2023Q13
2022Q13
2021Q13

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

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q13
2024Not asked
2023Q14
2022Not asked
2021Not asked

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

More Stages of skill learning questions

Stages of skill learning, 2 marks

A beginner makes many errors and has to think about every move. Which stage of learning is this?

  1. Associative stage
  2. Autonomous stage
  3. Cognitive stage
Show the answer

Cognitive stage

In the cognitive (beginner) stage the learner is working out what the skill involves. Movements are jerky, errors are frequent and a lot of guidance is needed.

Stages of skill learning, 2 marks

A player does the skill automatically and can focus on tactics. Which stage is this?

  1. Associative stage
  2. Autonomous stage
  3. Cognitive stage
Show the answer

Autonomous stage

In the autonomous (advanced) stage the skill is automatic. The performer can give attention to opponents, tactics and team-mates instead of their own technique.

Stages of skill learning, 3 marks

In the associative stage of learning, the performer mainly…

  1. Practises to refine the skill and cut errors
  2. Tries to understand what the skill involves
  3. Performs without thinking at all
Show the answer

Practises to refine the skill and cut errors

The associative (intermediate) stage is the practice stage. The basic movement is known, and the learner now smooths it out and makes fewer, smaller errors.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education