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Further information on National 5
Specimen Question Paper and National 5
Specimen Coursework
Music
Key points
The National 5 Music Course builds on current good practice and popular elements of the
Intermediate 2 Course, while creating opportunities for personalisation and choice for learners. It
challenges learners to prepare and perform a programme of music and to demonstrate a depth of
knowledge and understanding of music, music concepts, and musical literacy developed across
the Units and the Course
At National 5, Course assessment will consist of two components: a performance (60 marks) and a
question paper (40 marks).
The performance will require learners to demonstrate practical performing skills on either two
selected instruments, or on a selected instrument and voice, in a prepared programme of music.
The performance can be solo and/or in a group setting. The programme of music should last a total
of eight minutes.
The question paper will sample and assess knowledge and understanding of music concepts and
music literacy from the mandatory information on Course coverage. The structure of the question
paper will build on the existing Intermediate 2 approach, but will include some new question types.
Course assessment will be out of 100 marks.
National 5 Specimen Question Paper
(publication by 28 February 2013)
The purpose of the question paper is to assess breadth of knowledge from across the
Units, depth of understanding, and application of this knowledge, understanding and
listening skills. These skills will be demonstrated by responding to music excerpts and providing
answers appropriately challenging questions.
This question paper will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and
understanding of music, music concepts, and musical literacy developed across the Units and the
Course.
The questions will sample the concepts listed in the table provided in the “Further mandatory
information on Course coverage” section of the National 5 Course Assessment Specification.
Questions and/or distractors may also include concepts taken from the music concept table
provided in the National 4 Added Value Unit and/or the National 3 UCSN.
This question paper will ask learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and
understanding:
 knowledge and understanding/applied understanding of music and music literacy
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 understanding and knowledge of the mandatory concept content for the Course
 the ability to identify concepts in a range of music and styles in straightforward contexts and
more challenging listening contexts
The question paper will have a total of 40 marks. Learners will complete it in 45 minutes.
Marks will be awarded for:
 an understanding of the concept content for the Course
 the ability to identify concepts in a range of music and styles in straightforward contexts
 knowledge and applied use of musical literacy
It will have one section. All questions are mandatory.
Candidates will be asked to respond to a variety of questions in the paper. This will include
responding to short music excerpts, and extended pieces of music. The question types in the paper
will include multiple choice/multiple response, short answer and extended response questions.
National 5 Specimen Coursework
(publication by 30 April 2013)
The purpose of the performance is to assess the learner’s ability to demonstrate practical
performing skills on either:


two selected instruments
or on a selected instrument and voice
in a prepared programme of music either solo and/or in a group setting.
The performance will ask learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and
understanding:


the ability to maintain musical flow and realise the composer’s intentions
the ability to perform music and respond to others in solo and/or in groups where
appropriate
The performance will have a total of 60 marks. Marks will be awarded for the following:





melodic accuracy/intonation
rhythmic accuracy
maintaining the tempo and flow of the music
demonstrating musicality through mood and character and tone
dynamics
The same overall mark weighting will apply to each instrument/voice in the programme. (30/30)
The programme of music performed by candidates will last a total of eight minutes.
The performance will be marked by an SQA Visiting Examiner and completed under a high degree
of supervision and control.
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Further information on National 5
Sample Questions and Tasks
Specimen Question Paper/Marking Instructions
Question 1
This question is about different styles of music.
(a) Tick one box to describe what you hear.
Gospel
Concerto
Musical
Minimalist
1
(b) Listen to that excerpt again and write one concept to describe the texture.
___________________________
1
(c) Listen to a different piece of music and tick one box to describe what you
hear.
Symphony
Concerto
Musical
Minimalist
1
(d) Listen to more music from the same piece and name the ornament featured by
the solo instrument.
___________________________
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1
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(e) Listen to a new piece of music and tick one box to describe what you hear.
Symphony
Concerto
Baroque
Minimalism
1
(f) Listen to that excerpt again and write the Italian term to describe the string
playing technique.
___________________________
1
Total marks
6
Question 7
This question features instrumental music.
(a)
As you listen to the excerpt:
(i) tick one box to describe the style of music, and
(ii) in the space below, give a reason to support your answer
There will be a pause of 20 seconds before the next question starts. Here is the
music.
African music
Ragtime
Indian
Latin American
1
Reason ___________________________________________________________
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(b)
As you listen to a different excerpt:
(i) tick one box to describe the style of music, and
(ii) in the space below, give a reason to support your answer
There will be a pause of 20 seconds before the next question starts. Here is the
music.
Classical
Aria
Romantic
Baroque
1
Reason ___________________________________________________________
1
Total marks
Question 8
As you listen to this excerpt, you are asked to write about the prominent features
of the music.
In your answer, comment on at least three of the following:

rhythm/tempo

melody/harmony

instruments/voices and how they are used

dynamics
You will hear the music three times, with a pause of 2 minutes at the end for you
to complete your final answer. A warning tone will sound 30 seconds before the
end of the question paper.
You may use the table below for rough working, but your final answer must be
written on the opposite page.
Here is the music for the first time.
Here is the music for the second time.
Here is the music for the third time.
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4
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Rough work
rhythm/tempo
melody/harmony
instruments/voices
and how they are
used
dynamics
Final answer
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Total marks
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5
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Question
1
a
1
b
1
c
1
d
1
e
1
f
7
a
b
Expected response
 Musical

Homophonic, a cappella
 Concerto

Trill
 Symphony

Arco
Maximum
mark
Additional guidance
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
i
 Indian

1
No other answers
accepted here.
ii
Sitar/ tabla
1
No other answers
accepted here.
1
No other answers
accepted here.
i
 Baroque

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ii
8
Harpsichord/trills/
ornaments/polyphonic/
contrapuntal
Rhythm/tempo
 moderato
 dotted rhythms
 2/4 or 4/4
Melody/harmony
 major
 modulation
 perfect cadence
 syllabic
 arpeggios
Instruments/voices and how
they are used
 acoustic guitar
 glockenspiel
 piano
 cymbal roll
 drum fill
 strings
 arco
 oboe
 female solo/mezzo
soprano
Dynamics
 mp
 mf
 f
 crescendo
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1
No other answers
accepted here.
5
No other answers
accepted here.
One mark awarded for
each concept identified.
Maximum 2 marks per
heading.
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Further information on National 5
Sample Questions and Tasks
Specimen Coursework – Music Performance
Marking of the performance should be approached holistically using the following
assessment criteria, which draw upon existing models of practice and language in the
current Standard Grade and Intermediate 2 Music qualifications.
The marking proforma provided in this pack includes comment boxes where assessors can
record their observations about the learners’ performance.
Assessors should allocate a mark for each of the relevant categories, and record this mark
on the candidate assessment record. Each of the two sections of the practical performance
is marked out of 30.
Individual pieces of music within should be marked using the assessment criteria out of 10
and then totalled. The resulting total should then be scaled to give a mark out of 30. Space is
provided in the template to allow assessors to provide comments justifying why specific
marks were awarded.
In assessing performances examiners should be guided by the summary statements for
each marks range.
Mark Range 9-10
A convincing and stylish performance which demonstrates excellent technique
melodic accuracy/intonation
Excellent level
accuracy of rhythm
Excellent level
tempo and flow
Appropriate and musically convincing
mood and character
Conveyed with sensitivity
tone
Confident, convincing and well-developed
instrumental/vocal sound
dynamics
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Convincing
Piece 1 Melodic accuracy/intonation
Rhythmic accuracy
Tempo and flow
Mood and character
Tone
Dynamics
Piece 2 Melodic accuracy/intonation
Rhythmic accuracy
Tempo and flow
Mood and character
Tone
Dynamics
Piece 3 Melodic accuracy/intonation
Rhythmic accuracy
Tempo and flow
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Mark /10
(0-2) Poor
(3-4) Inconsistent
(5-6) Mainly
accurate
(7-8) Secure
Instrument 1/voice
(9-10) Excellent
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Comments
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Mood and character
Tone
Dynamics
Piece 4 Melodic accuracy/intonation
Rhythmic accuracy
Tempo and flow
Mood and character
Tone
Dynamics
FINAL SCALED MARK
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/30