SMART Goal Setting
The AQA SMART approach to setting targets, what each letter of Specific, Measureable, Accepted, Realistic and Time-bound means, and why beginners are steered away from outcome goals.
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Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
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Setting a target that works
A vague target like get fitter is easy to set and easy to give up on. A good coach sets a SMART target instead, one that is clear and can be checked. This module works through what each letter of SMART means in the AQA wording, and shows why a beginner is usually steered away from goals that are all about winning.
SMART words to know
These are the AQA words for SMART. Learn them exactly.
Vague against SMART
A SMART target is far more useful than a vague wish.
Apply each letter to the target
In the exam, take a target and test it letter by letter. Is it Specific and clear, can it be Measured with a number, has the performer Accepted it, is it Realistic, and is it Time-bound with a deadline? Use the exact AQA words. Steer a beginner towards controllable targets rather than goals that depend only on winning.
Match the SMART letter
- Specific
- Measureable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
- clear and precise, not vague
- progress can be counted
- possible with the effort available
- has a clear deadline
Match the target to the letter
- complete 15 passes, not just play well
- raise press-ups from 20 to 30
- the player chooses the target
- reach it by the end of term
- this makes it Specific
- this makes it Measureable
- this makes it Accepted
- this makes it Time-bound
What does the M mean?
In the AQA version of SMART, what does the letter M stand for?
- Measureable, so progress can be counted.
- Motivating.
- Major.
- Manual.
Why avoid outcome goals?
Select the TWO reasons a beginner is usually steered away from outcome goals.
- They rely on things the performer cannot control
- Losing can be demotivating even after a good effort
- They are always far too easy
- They are banned by the rules of sport
Measure the target
A swimmer can currently swim 20 lengths. A SMART target is set for 26 lengths. Subtract to find how many more lengths the target adds. What is the answer?
Order the goal setting
Put the steps of setting a SMART target in order, earliest first.
- Measure what the performer can do now
- Set a specific target with a number
- Give it a clear deadline
- Review the progress at the deadline
Complete the summary
In the AQA version, SMART stands for Specific, _____, Accepted, Realistic and _____. A good target can be counted with a number and has a clear _____. A beginner is usually steered away from _____ goals because they depend on things outside the performer control.
Spot the SMART features
Tap the TWO things that help make a target SMART.
- a number to measure progress
- a clear deadline
- just try to be better
- hoping the opponents play badly
Judge the target
Read each target and choose the best answer.
- A coach sets the target: complete 15 passes in the next match. Which SMART letter does the number 15 satisfy?
- A beginner is told their only goal is to win the county title this year. Why is this a poor goal for them?
- A target says improve by the end of the school term. Which SMART letter does the end of term give it?
Explain SMART targets
Explain what a SMART target is, using the AQA words, and why a beginner is usually steered away from outcome goals.
- Say what each of Specific, Measureable and Time-bound means
- Give an example of a SMART target for a sport
- Explain why an outcome goal can be a poor choice for a beginner