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Further information on Higher Computing
Science Course Assessment (February 2014)
Key messages
SQA is currently developing Course and Unit assessments. This document outlines our progress in
Course Assessment for the Higher Course in Computing Science.
Higher Computing Science is a new course that provides progression from National 5 Computing
Science. The course introduces learners to an advanced range of computational processes and
thinking, and develops a rigorous approach to the design and development process across a
variety of contemporary contexts. Learners gain an awareness of the importance that computing
professionals play in meeting the needs of society today and for the future, in fields including
science, education, business and industry.
At Higher the Course assessment will have two components: a question paper and an assignment.
The question paper requires candidates to demonstrate aspects of breadth and application in
theoretical contexts. Candidates will apply breadth of knowledge from across the Course and depth
of understanding to answer appropriately challenging questions in computing science contexts.
The assignment requires candidates to demonstrate aspects of challenge and application in a
practical context. Candidates will apply knowledge and skills from across the Course to solve an
appropriately challenging computing science problem.
Course assessment will be out of 150 marks.
Higher specimen question paper
(publication by 28 February 2014)
The question paper will have 90 marks and two sections. Candidates will have two hours to
complete it. It will give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge
and understanding:
 applying computational thinking to understand problems across a range of contexts
 analysing problems with some complex aspects in computing science across a range of
contemporary contexts
 demonstrating the ability to communicate how a program works in technical detail
 communicating understanding of advanced concepts related to software design and
development, and information system design and development, clearly and concisely using
appropriate terminology
 demonstrating an understanding of the legal, environmental, economic and social impact of
contemporary computing technologies
 applying computing science concepts and techniques to create solutions across a range of
contexts
Section 1 will have 20 marks and will consist of short answer questions. Questions in this section
will:
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 assess breadth of knowledge
 sample across the Course to ensure balance
 require some calculations
Section 2 will have 70 marks and will consist of structured questions. This section will give learners
an opportunity to demonstrate application of knowledge and understanding to answer appropriately
challenging context-based questions. Questions related to programming will be presented using
standardised SQA pseudocode, but candidates will be able to answer in any appropriate
programming language or pseudocode.
Higher Assignment
(publication by 31 March 2014)
The purpose of the assignment is to assess practical application of knowledge and skills from the
Course to develop a solution to an appropriately challenging computing science problem. It will
assess candidates’ skills in analysing a problem, designing, implementing and testing a solution to
the problem and reporting on that solution.
The assignment should clearly demonstrate practical application of knowledge and skills, related to
the design and development of software and information systems. Guidelines for the assignment
will include a list of questions/tasks/prompts which will lead candidates through the assignment in
clear stages.
The assignment will have 60 marks. Marks will be awarded for:
 analysing the problem
 building a solution (designing, implementing, testing)
 reporting on the solution
A bank of assignments will be provided and there will be a choice from the bank.
Evidence should include:
 The completed digital solution(s) observed by assessor. Hardcopy print-outs (including program
listings, screenshots, web page source files, data files or similar as appropriate).
 A record of progress through the assignment including all items of evidence specified in the
assessment task.
 A report on the solution (in written, electronic and/or oral form).
 Ephemeral evidence of candidate’s work, including the degree of independence, that cannot be
judged on the basis of other evidence (detailed assessor observation notes and the completed
candidate assessment record or equivalent).
Evidence will be internally marked by centre staff in line with SQA marking instructions.
(For further information from the current draft of the Assignment, please see Appendix 1.)
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Appendix 1
Extract from a draft Computing Science Assignment
Computing Science assignment:
Diving Championship
In this assessment, you will have to complete the following stages:
 Analysing the problem (10 marks)
 Building a solution to the problem (this will involve an iterative process of design,
development and testing) (40 marks)
 Reporting on the solution (10 marks)
You will be provided with:
 a description of the problem you must solve
 descriptions of what you must do for each part of the assignment
 information about the evidence that you need to provide
Record of Progress
Throughout the task, you are required to keep a record of
progress. This could be an informal log or diary, and could be
handwritten or kept electronically.
It should:
 note what work you started, continued or completed as
you progress through each stage of the assignment;
 note any changes, corrections and/or refinements you make to your design and/or
build of both the data structure and the program;
 have evidence of the work you have produced as required by each stage of the
assignment;
 give details of any help you required;
 contain a report which includes:
— a short evaluation of the completed solution that:
 explains how it meets the specification
 suggests how it could be improved
 describes any difficulties encountered and how you dealt with them
— a brief description of any relevant security or legal implications of the solution
You should update your record of progress on a regular basis and get your assessor to
check your work before moving on to the next stage.
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The problem
The Scandinavian Diving Championship holds five qualifying events; one
each in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Each country
can enter a maximum of three divers to the qualifying events. The
highest scoring divers from each country are then entitled to enter the
Scandinavian Diving Championship Final.
The organisers require help to work out the qualifiers for the Final, and then how to work
out the overall winner of the Championship.
The Qualifying Event
You have been asked to create a database that will work out the total score for each
diver, and then find the name and country of the five divers required and export the
resulting data to a file.
Divers are given a score based on their position in the qualifying events as follows:
Position in the event
Score
1
30
2
25
3
20
4
15
5
10
>5
0
The Final
Your task is to write a program that will calculate the scores for each diver in the Final of
the Scandinavian Diving Championship and work out the overall champion.
Each diver is given a mark of between 0 and 10, with half marks available, from each of
five judges. The total score is created by adding all the five judges’ marks together and
then removing the highest and lowest marks.
Stage 1 — Analysing the problem
Read the problem description carefully. You should then:
 Create a specification for the solution which:
— demonstrates that you understand the problem set for “The Qualifying Event”
— demonstrates that you understand the problem set for “The Final”
— identifies and clarifies any further information required in order to complete
the task
Update your record of progress and have it checked by your assessor.
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Stage 2a — Building a Solution for “The Qualifying Event”
Here are the tables required for the database. Your assessor will give you a template. You
should:
 complete the data structure design
Table
Field Name
Countries
Country
PK/
FK
Data
Type/Size
Unique
Required
Validation
Format
National
Anthem
Flag
Divers
Diver ID
Diver Name
Country
Events
Event ID
Venue
Event Date
Results
Diver ID
Position
Event ID
 outline the relationships between the four tables
 give this to your assessor
Once you have completed this, your assessor will give you a database with three of the
four tables created and the finalised design. You must:
 create the Countries table
 calculate the scores for the divers
 find the name and country of the five divers required and export the resulting data to
a file
 demonstrate your working system to your assessor
Update your record of progress and have it checked by your assessor.
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Stage 2b — Building a solution for “The Final”
 Using an appropriate design notation, design the structure of your program
 Design a suitable user interface
 Create the program to match your design and meet the specification requirements
(including internal commentary)
 Create your own test plan; test and refine your solution until it meets the specification
 Demonstrate your working program to your assessor
Update your record of progress and have it checked by your assessor.
Stage 3 — Reporting on the solution
 Create a report which includes:
— a short evaluation of the completed solution that:
 explains how it meets the specification
 suggests how it could be improved
 describes any difficulties encountered and how you dealt with them
— a brief description of any relevant security or legal implications of the solution
Update your record of progress and have it checked by your assessor.
Evidence Checklist
You have now completed the assessment. You should use the checklist below to ensure
you have completed all the stages and have collected all the required evidence:
 Record of progress
For Stage 1:
 completed specification
For Stage 2a - (“The Qualifying Event”):
 completed data structure design
 relationship between the four tables
 plan of formula and/or queries to meet specification
 completed and populated Countries table
 file of finalists
For Stage 2b - (“The Final”):
 program structure design and user interface design
 a listing of the final program including internal commentary
 a record of test plan with evidence of testing
For Stage 3:
 your report
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