GEOGRAPHY
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING
Higher
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developing and applying skills, knowledge and understanding across
complex physical, human and global issues
researching and evaluating a wide range of information collected
from a range of sources about complex geographical issues
using a wide range of mapping skills and techniques in geographical
contexts which may be familiar or unfamiliar, including the use of
Ordnance Survey maps
using a wide range of research skills and techniques, including
fieldwork skills, in geographical contexts which may be familiar or
unfamiliar
using a wide range of numerical and graphical skills and techniques
in geographical contexts which may be familiar or unfamiliar
developing and applying factual and theoretical knowledge and
understanding and giving detailed explanations of the complex
processes and interactions at work within physical environments on
a local, regional and global scale
developing and applying factual and theoretical knowledge and
understanding and giving detailed explanations of the complex
processes and interactions at work within human environments in a
range of urban and rural and developed and developing societies
developing and applying factual and theoretical knowledge and
understanding and giving detailed explanations of complex global
geographical issues which demonstrate the interaction of physical
and human factors
Advanced Higher
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developing and using a wide range of research and mapping skills
and techniques in complex geographical contexts
developing and using a wide range of numerical and graphical
skills and techniques in geographical contexts
developing and using a wide range of statistical techniques
developing and using knowledge and understanding of
geographical terminology, ideas and systems using complex
information to explain and analyse a wide range of geographical
phenomena
developing and applying skills, knowledge and understanding to
analyse of a wide range of complex geographical evidence
COURSE STRUCTURE
Higher
Course Structure: 3 Units and Course Assessment
Geography: Physical Environments OR
Geography: Physical Environments with a Scottish Context
And
Advanced Higher
Course Structure: 2 Units and Course Assessment
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Geographical Skills
Geographical Issues
Geography: Human Environments
Geography: Global Issues
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Higher
Advanced Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (60 marks)
Component 2 – assignment (30 marks)
Question Paper
Section 1: Physical Environments will have 15 marks.
Section 2: Human Environments will have 15 marks.
Section 3: Global Issues will have 20 marks.
Section 4: Application of Geographical Skills will have 10 marks.
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (50 marks)
Component 2 – project: folio (100 marks)
Question Paper
The question paper will have 50 marks.
Map Interpretation (20 marks)
Gathering and Processing Techniques (10 marks)
Geographical Data Handling (20 marks)
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 question paper in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Assignment
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.
Project: Folio
This assignment will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the
following higher-order cognitive skills, knowledge and understanding:
 identifying a geographical topic or issue
 carrying out research, which should include fieldwork where
appropriate
 demonstrating knowledge of the suitability of the methods
and/or reliability of the sources used
 processing and using a range of information gathered
 drawing on detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic
or issue
 analysing information from a range of sources
 reaching a conclusion supported by a range of evidence on a
geographical topic or issue
 communicating information
The project will consist of a project: folio of Coursework in 2 Sections:
• Project: Folio Section A: Geographical Study — a report on
geographical research (60 marks)
• Project: Folio Section B: Geographical Issue — an essay which
critically evaluates an issue from a geographical perspective (40
marks)
This assignment is managed by centres within SQA guidelines and
conducted under a high level of supervision and control. Evidence will
be submitted to SQA for external marking.
The project: folio will be managed by centres within SQA guidelines and
will be conducted under some supervision and control. The evidence
for assessment will be produced independently by the learner in time
to meet a submission date set by SQA.
This project will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the
following higher-order cognitive skills, knowledge and understanding:
• independent fieldwork/research
• the application of a wide range of geographical methods and
techniques
• the integration of a wide range of geographic skills
 the critical evaluation of a complex geographical issue using a
wide range of sources and viewpoints