Further information on Higher Sociology
Specimen Question Paper and
Assignment
Key messages
SQA is currently developing Course and Unit assessments. This document outlines our progress in
Course Assessment for the Higher Course in Psychology.
The new Higher Sociology Course will maintain the standard of the current qualification at Higher
and will continue to be benchmarked against SCQF level 6 as well as ensuring that the level of
demand for candidates is consistent with other Higher qualifications.
Course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper and an assignment. Both will
be externally assessed. Course assessment will be out of 90 marks. The question paper is worth
60 marks and the assignment is worth 30 marks.
The Higher Sociology Course combines popular and relevant sociological approaches and topics
from the current Course as well as introducing updated content in order to ensure the continuing
relevance of the subject. The Higher Sociology Course has been designed to build upon the skills;
knowledge and understanding developed at National 5 and provide clear progression from National
5. The course will provide opportunities to develop breadth and application of knowledge and
understanding and the application of skills which will be assessed in the question paper and
assignment. Personalisation and choice will be increased through a free choice of topics for study
as well as the opportunity for candidates to choose from a selection of topics for investigation in the
Sociology: Assignment.
To progress from National 5 Sociology, learners will require:
 increased analytical and evaluative skills when using information, including research, to explain
aspects of society
 ability to work under the non-directive supervision of the assessor to carry out and report on a
sociological investigation of an aspect of society
Assessment of skills and knowledge and understanding will have equal importance across the
components. Both components will assess skills and knowledge and understanding, although the
question paper will have a greater emphasis on knowledge and understanding while the
assignment will have a greater emphasis on the application of skills.
The question paper will assess the skills and will sample knowledge and understanding from the
Course Specification and the Course Assessment Specification. It will draw upon styles of
questions used in the existing Sociology question paper.
The assignment will require the application of research skills through analysis and evaluation to
explain aspects of society. Learners have a choice from a bank of topics to allow for
personalisation and choice.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
November 2013
Higher specimen Question Paper
(publication by 28 February 2014)
The question paper will assess the skills and sample knowledge and understanding from the
Course Specification and the Course Assessment Specification.
The table below summarises the format of the question papers at National 5 and Higher.
National 5
Higher
Total marks
50
60
Time
One hour 30 minutes
One hour 30 minutes
Sections
1 section
1 section
Number of
questions
3 mandatory questions
3 mandatory questions
Question paper
format/optionality/
choice
No optional questions
No optional questions
Both question papers have a focus on breadth of knowledge and understanding of sociology and
the application of this knowledge and understanding to provide sociological explanations of aspects
of society. However the question paper component of the Higher Sociology Course Assessment is
more demanding than the National 5 question paper. Increased breadth of knowledge and
understanding of sociological concepts, theories and research evidence will be required.
Candidates will apply this breadth of knowledge and understanding to provide different sociological
explanations of aspects of society. Candidates will require skills to analyse and evaluate
sociological research methods, theories and research evidence.
The breadth of knowledge and understanding required will be drawn from all units of the Course
and the application of knowledge and/or skills will relate to a range of social contexts. The Course
Assessment Specification sets out requirements for the whole Course in the “Further Mandatory
Information” section.
The Higher Sociology question paper will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the following
skills, knowledge and understanding:
 explaining differences between sociological and common-sense explanations of human social
behaviour
 understanding society by explaining sociological perspectives, theories and concepts
 explaining the sociological significance of relationships amongst individuals, groups and
institutions in a changing social world
 explaining and evaluating research methods used in sociology
 using sociological theories to analyse and explain human social behaviour
 using knowledge and understanding to evaluate research and evidence to support explanations
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres under conditions
specified for external examinations by SQA. For the Question Paper, there will be a separate
question paper and answer booklet.
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November 2013
Higher Assignment
(publication by 31 March 2014)
The assignment will require candidates to apply research skills in the context of a Sociology topic.
Learners have a choice of from a bank of topics to allow for personalisation and choice.
At Higher, the assignment will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills,
knowledge and understanding:
 using research skills to find and evaluate sources of information and research studies
 organising and evaluating information in sociology
 communicating sociologically-informed views
At Higher the Assignment is worth 30 marks. The assignment will have a greater emphasis on the
assessment of skills than the question paper.
Evidence will be submitted to SQA for external marking. SQA will produce two documents called
Assignment: General Assessment Information and Assignment: Assessment Task.
Criteria used to allocate marks
Mark Allocation
Explain differences between sociological and common-sense
explanations of human social behaviour.
(10 marks)
Use research skills and evaluate sources of information, findings and
a research study.
(10 marks)
Communicate sociologically-informed views.
(10 marks)
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
November 2013
Further information on Higher
Sociology Specimen Question Paper
draft
The following information is taken from the current draft of the Specimen
Question Paper.
Draft specimen Question Paper – sample question
Question 3 — Social Issues
Marks
3
Socio-economic inequality is a contemporary issue in the UK.
a Explain the impact on society of socio-economic inequality in the UK today
4
b Use two contrasting sociological theories to explain socio-econimic inequality
10
c Evaluate one sociological theory used to explain socio-economic inequality
6
Total Marks
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
20
November 2013
Further information on Higher
Sociology Assignment draft
The assignment task is to investigate a contemporary social topic using a sociological
approach and write a report of 1,500 – 2,000 words on this investigation.
The topic will be chosen from a bank of topics provided by SQA. The topic chosen will
provide a context for integration of knowledge from across Units and will involve secondary
research only. Assessors must ensure that the topic choice will not breach ethical codes of
practice.
Three criteria will be used to assess the report. These are:
1. explaining differences between sociological and common-sense explanations of human
social behaviour (10 marks)
2. using research skills and evaluating sources of information, findings and one research
study (10 marks)
3. communicating sociologically-informed views (10 marks)
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November 2013
General Marking Principles for Higher Sociology
In line with SQA’s normal practice, the following marking instructions are addressed to the
marker. They will also be helpful for those preparing candidates for Course assessment.
This information is provided to give an understanding of the general principles that will be
applied when marking candidate evidence. These principles must be read in conjunction with
the specific Marking Instructions for each item in the grid below.
(a)
Marks for each candidate response must always be assigned in line with these general
marking principles and the specific Marking Instructions for the relevant criteria.
(b)
Marking should always be positive, i.e. marks should be awarded for what is correct
and not deducted for errors or omissions.
(c)
The term “or any other acceptable response” is used to allow for the possible variation
in candidate responses. Credit should be given according to the accuracy and
relevance of evidence.
(d)
Marks for describing are based on the candidate’s ability to provide a statement or
structure of characteristics and/or features. More than an outline or than a list. May
refer to for instance a concept, process, experiment, situation, or facts.
(e) Marks for explaining are based on the candidate’s ability to relate cause and effect or
make the relationship between things clear.
(f)
Marks for evaluation are based on the candidate’s ability to make a judgement based
on criteria or determine the value of something.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
November 2013