S4 STUDY SKILLS EVENING
Biology
S4 Courses
National 4 Biology (replaces SG General/Int 1)
National 5 Biology (replaces SG Credit/Int 2)



Pupils work through the courses, and gain a wide range
of knowledge (KU) and develop problem solving skills
(PS) in Biology.
Assessed on four problem solving areas – selecting,
predicting, processing and analysing (N5 only) as well
as KU.
Pupils must pass each unit, with a pass mark being 50%
or more.
More about assessment





With CfE Biology, as well as passing the unit
assessments, pupils also have to complete:
A mini research topic (√)
An investigation report (√)
Assignment (N5) or Added Value Unit (N4) (ongoing)
The courses are aligned – this means if a pupils does
not pass units at a higher level (e.g. Nat 5), then they
can still achieve a pass at a lower level (in this case
Nat 4).
prelims




The National 5 Biology prelim is:
Thursday 20th January
It is made up of two sections (like the final exam).
Section A has 20 marks of multiple choice questions.
Section B has 60 marks of short answer style
questions.
The National 5 Assignment will also be marked by
SQA and is worth a maximum of 20 marks.
In total, the National 5 exam is out of 100 marks,
and is graded A-D.
Revision




Pupils should be spending about 1 – 1.5 hours a
week revising in Biology.
Homework issued to develop KU and PS skills.
Homework composed of past paper questions
(for Nat 5 made up of Credit Standard
Grade/Int 2 past papers).
Past papers used to test KU and PS, as well as
preparing pupils for prelims and final exams.
£12.39 on
Amazon
£15.99 on
Amazon
£3.95 on
Amazon
Kindle
Materials & support



Pupils have a workbook(s) for each of the units
completed so far:
Unit 3: Life on Earth
Unit 1: Cell Biology
Pupils also have learning outcomes and a revision
summary for each unit.
After prelims, pupils will write up their assignment
reports/added value in class, then start work on the last
unit:
Unit 2: Multicellular Organisms
Progression



National 4 Biology (pass) National 5 Biology.
National 5 Biology (grade A or B)  CfE Higher or
CfE Higher Human Biology
Higher/Higher Human Biology (grade A or B)  S6
CfE Advanced Higher Biology.
Contact?

Julie.Morrison@south-ayrshire.gov.uk