The Revised Qualifications
S4/5/6 Parents
19 September 2013
Qualification Framework
Old System
Revised System
Curriculum for Excellence
from May 2014.
1/2 Access 1 and 2
Access 1 and 2
National 1/2
1/2
3 Foundation S Grade
Access 3
National 3
3
4 General S Grade
Intermediate 1
National 4
4
5 Credit S Grade
Intermediate 2
National 5
5
6 Higher
Higher
Higher
6
7 Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher
7
Assessment in the Revised
Qualifications
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National 1/2/3/4 are entirely internally
assessed. 3 units plus a value added task
at National 4. They are pass/fail.
National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher have
mostly 3 internally assessed units and
external examination(s). Graded A to D,
with A, B and C being passes.
Appeals from May 2014
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This is the last year of the current system.
From May 2014 there will be no “post-result”
appeals but there will be “pre-result” appeals.
However it is possible to ask for an
“administrative check” and/or a remarking of
a script. This will have a cost.
National Courses In Science…
Courses Available
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National 5 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Similar
to Credit at Standard Grade and Intermediate 2.
National 3/4 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
Similar to General at Standard Grade and
Intermediate 1.
These two levels are taught separately.
Entry to National Courses
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For S4 pupils – based on S3 (and S1/S2
performance.
For S5/6 pupils – performance in Nat
4/Int 1 /SG /Int 2.
Important to get these
recommendations right at this stage.
What are the courses like?
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All 3 Sciences at National 4 and National 5
are comprised of three units.
At National 5 level, pupils must pass each
unit and a final exam for course award.
At National 3/4 level, pupils must pass
each unit for a course award .
How Does Assessment Work?

Slightly differently for each level…but
the same across the sciences.
Assessment for National 5
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For each Unit there are three
“Assessment Tasks” to complete.
Assignment (in school/sent to SQA).
Final exam.
Assessment for National 4
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For each Unit there are three
“Assessment Tasks” to complete.
Added Value Unit – a fairly lengthy
research investigation.
Assessment for National 3
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For each Unit there are three
“Assessment Tasks” to complete.
Unit “Assessment Tasks”
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Common to Nat 3, 4 and 5.
Criteria changes slightly for each
course.
Task 1
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An experimental investigation plus report. Pupils
must complete all criteria.
Teachers can guide pupils.
If a pupil passes all criteria, they in one unit, that can
also be used as evidence for the other two units.
If a pupil fails one or more criteria, they must pass it
at a subsequent opportunity. Unit not passed at this
stage.
Task 1
Task 2
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A short report (30-50/40-70/50-100
words).
Pupils to select a relevant application
from the course and discuss its impact
on Society/Environment .
Once again, like Task 1…Task 2 need
only be passed once, but until its
passed, no Unit is complete.
Task 2
Task 3
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An end-of-unit assessment (previously
known as a NAB).
KU and PS elements.
KU must be passed for each Unit
(50%).
PS elements must be passed at least
once across the 3 units.
Summary
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Selection of course and appropriate
level is important.
All Assessment Tasks must be
completed and so are essential if pupils
wish to gain a Unit or Course Award.
Nat 4  Nat 3 hopefully
straightforward.
Nat 5  Nat 4 requires completion of
the Added Value Unit.
Rewarding Positive Achievement
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The SQA have agreed…..
If a pupil passes the N5 units but fails the
examination, by completing the N4 Value
Added Unit they will get a N4 course award.
This can be planned for, or completed after
the examination although this will delay
certification.
Major Changes and Implications

Pupils will only sit one level of examination.
This means we have to make decisions with
S4 pupils not required in the past. (S4 tracking this
week, S4 Parents Meeting November.)
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The internal assessment of units in all
courses means that moderation/standards
must be correct. (School, authority, national plans.)
No post-result appeals may effect some
results.
The more efficient use of staffing across the
Senior Phase will increase options and
decrease class sizes.