National 4 and National 5
Chemistry
Assessment Arrangements
Both courses are broken down into 3 units:
Chemical Changes and Structure
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society
For each course all the units passed will appear on
your final certificate.
• For National 5 there will also be an
external exam.
• National 5 passes are graded A, B, C or D.
• There is no external exam for National 4.
• National 4 is awarded on a pass/fail basis.
• Each course has three tasks and an
assignment which will be assessed in line
with SQA requirements.
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Task 1 Experimental Report
Task 2 Research Investigation
Task 3 Set of questions
Assignment
Task 1
Experimental Report
You will be given the chance to practise
this through the course. You will also be
given a ‘candidates guide’ to help you
structure your report.
Only one experimental report one needs to
be completed and this can be used for
evidence for three units.
Task 2 Research investigation
You have to research a key area of Chemistry
and its impact on the environment or society.
You will be given the chance to practise this
through the course. You will also be given a
‘candidates guide’ to help you structure your
report.
Only one research investigation needs to be
completed and this can be used for evidence for
all three units.
Task 3 Set of Questions
• You will be asked a set of questions for each unit testing
Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving.
• At least half the responses need to be correct in order to
succeed in this task. There is a separate set of questions
for each unit.
• You have been issued with a data book which you
should use this for these tasks.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/ChemistryDataBookletSQP
N5.pdf
Assignment
You will be given a candidates guide explaining
what is required of you and advice on how to
structure your report.
For National 4 this is assessed internally using
SQA criteria as pass/fail.
For National 5 this is assessed by SQA and
given a mark out of 20.
Assignment information:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GAInfoNational5Ch
emistry.pdf
National 5 External Exam
In May/June you will sit a 2 hour exam paper worth 80
marks.
The mark for this exam will be added to your mark for the
assignment and the total used to grade your pass as A,
B, C or D.
Specimen question paper:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/ChemistrySQPN5.pdf
National 5 External Exam
The question paper will have two sections.
Section A will contain objective questions
and will have 20 marks.
Section B will contain restricted and
extended response questions and have 60
marks.
National 5 External Exam
The majority of the marks (55±5) will be awarded for
demonstrating and applying knowledge and
understanding.
The other marks (25±5) will be awarded for applying
scientific inquiry skills.
Marks will be distributed proportionately across all three
units.
A data sheet will be provided.
National 5 External Exam
You will use and practise the scientific inquiry
skills throughout the course.
Details of the skills assessed can be found on
page 5 of the following:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseAsse
ssSpec_N5_Sciences_Chemistry.pdf
As well as the work set in class and work set
as homework, you will be given a test at the
end of each unit and also a prelim exam to
help you prepare for the external exam.
Work steadily throughout the year
and you won’t need luck in the final
exam.