CHEMISTRY
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING
National 5
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demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by
making statements, describing information, providing
explanations and integrating knowledge
applying knowledge of chemistry to new situations, interpreting
information and solving problems
planning and designing experiments to test given hypotheses or
to illustrate particular effects
carrying out experimental procedures safely, recording
observations and collecting data
selecting information and presenting information appropriately
in a variety of forms
processing information (using calculations and units, where
appropriate)
making predictions and generalisations based on
evidence/information
drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by
evidence/justification
identifying sources of uncertainty and suggesting
improvements to experiments
communicating findings/information
Higher
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demonstrating knowledge and understanding of chemistry by
making statements, describing information, providing
explanations and integrating knowledge
applying chemistry knowledge to new situations, analysing
information and solving problems
planning and designing experiments/practical investigations to
test hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects including
safety measures.
carrying out experiments/practical investigation safely,
recording detailed observations and collecting data
selecting information and presenting information appropriately
in a variety of forms
processing information (using calculations and units, where
appropriate)
making predictions and generalisations from
evidence/information
drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by
evidence/justification
evaluating experiments/practical investigations, identifying
sources of uncertainty and suggesting improvements
communicating findings/information effectively
COURSE STRUCTURE
National 5
Course Structure: 3 Units and Course Assessment
Chemical Changes and Structure
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society
Higher
Course Structure: 4 Units and Course Assessment
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Chemical Changes and Structure
Researching Chemistry
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society
COURSE ASSESSMENT
National 5
Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (80 marks)
Component 2 – assignment (20 marks)
Question Paper
Section 1 (Objective Test) will have 20 marks.
Section 2 will contain restricted and extended response questions
and will have 60 marks.
The majority of the marks will be awarded for applying knowledge
and understanding. The other marks will be awarded for applying
scientific inquiry, scientific analytical thinking and problem solving
skills. A data booklet containing relevant data and formulae will be
provided.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in
centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.
Learners will complete this in 2 hours.
Assignment
This assignment has two stages:
 a research stage
 a communication stage
In the course of their assignment, learners are required to:
 choose, with support, a relevant topic in chemistry that has an
effect on the environment and/or society
 devise an appropriate aim
 describe the relevant application(s) of chemistry and explain the
effect on the environment/society
 research the topic by selecting, processing and presenting
relevant data/information
 draw a conclusion
 describe underpinning chemistry knowledge and understanding
and explain its relevance to the topic researched
 communicate the findings of the research in a report
This assignment is set by centres within SQA guidelines and conducted
under a high degree of supervision and control. Evidence will be
submitted to SQA for external marking.
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (100 marks)
Component 2 – assignment (20 marks)
Question Paper
Section 1, (Objective Test), will have 20 marks.
Section 2 will contain restricted and extended response questions
and will have 80 marks.
The majority of the marks will be awarded for applying knowledge
and understanding. The other marks will be awarded for applying
scientific inquiry, scientific analytical thinking and problem solving
skills. A data booklet containing relevant data and formulae will be
provided.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in
centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.
Learners will complete this in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Assignment
This assignment has two stages:
 a research stage
 a communication stage
In the course of their assignment, learners are required to:
 choose, with support, a relevant topic in chemistry
 state an appropriate aim
 research the topic by selecting relevant data/information
 process, analyse and present relevant data/information
 draw a conclusion
 evaluate their investigation
 explain the underlying chemistry of the topic researched.
 present the findings of their research in a report.
This assignment is set by centres within SQA guidelines and conducted
under a high degree of supervision and control. Evidence will be
submitted to SQA for external marking.