CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Further information on National 5 Specimen
Question Paper, National 5 Specimen Coursework
Chemistry
Key points
Chemistry (National 5) is a new Course, but includes some familiar content found in Standard
Grade Credit and Intermediate 2 Chemistry Courses.
At National 5, the Course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper and an
assignment.
The question paper requires learners to demonstrate aspects of breadth and application in
theoretical contexts. Learners will apply breadth of knowledge from across the Course, and depth
of understanding, to answer appropriately challenging questions in chemistry contexts.
The assignment requires learners to demonstrate aspects of challenge and application. Learners
will apply skills of scientific inquiry, using related knowledge, to carry out an in-depth study of a
chemistry topic. The topic will be chosen by the learner, who will investigate/research the
underlying chemistry and the impact on the environment/society.
Course assessment will be out of 100 marks in total (Question paper- 80 marks & Assignment- 20
marks).
Chemistry 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 Course,
depth of understanding, and application of this knowledge and understanding. Learners will do this
by answering appropriately challenging questions.
The question paper allows learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by making
statements, describing information, providing explanations and integrating knowledge. It will also
give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 applying knowledge of Chemistry to new situations, interpreting information and solving
problems
 planning and designing experiments/investigations
 selecting and presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
 processing information/data analysis (using calculations and units, where appropriate)
 making predictions and generalisations based on evidence/information
 drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence /justification
 suggesting improvements to experiments
The question paper will have 80 marks (80% of the total mark).
Marks will be distributed approximately proportionately across the Units.
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
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
solving skills.
The question paper will have two sections.
Section 1 will have 20 marks, and will consist of objective questions. This section will give learners
an opportunity to demonstrate breadth of knowledge from across the areas specified in the ‘Further
mandatory information on Course coverage’ section at the end of the Course Assessment
Specification.
Section 2 will have 60 marks, and will consist of restricted and extended response questions. This
section will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate application of knowledge and
understanding to answer appropriately challenging context-based questions. They will do this by
drawing on and applying knowledge from the table in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course
coverage’ section at the end of the Course Assessment Specification.
A standard resource containing relevant data and formulae will be provided for use by candidates
while sitting the question paper.
National 5 Specimen Coursework
(publication by 30 April 2013)
The purpose of the assignment is to allow the learner to carry out an in-depth study of a chemistry
topic. The topic will be chosen by the learner, who will investigate/ research the underlying
chemistry and the impact on the environment/society.
It will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and
understanding:





applying knowledge of chemistry to new situations and interpreting information
selecting and presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
processing the information/data collected (using calculations and units, where appropriate)
drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
communicating findings/information
The assignment will have 20 marks (20% of the total mark). It will be set by the centre and
conducted under some supervision and control.
Marks will be awarded for:









the aim of the investigation
the relevance of chosen topic
relevant points from named sources
the application of the topic
presentation of data/results
an evaluation of the impact on the environment/society
a conclusion
knowledge and understanding related to the topic
communicating the findings of the investigation
This should take the form of a report. The report will be submitted to SQA for external marking.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
National 5 Sample Questions and Tasks
Chemistry
Examples of types of questions for National 5 Question Paper
Section 1
Section 1 will have 20 marks, and will consist of objective questions.
Possible types of Section 1 question are shown in examples 1 and 2.
Example 1
Which line in the table correctly shows the two families of compounds which react together to
produce esters?
A
carboxylic acid
cycloalkane
B
alcohol
alkene
C
cycloalkane
alkene
D
carboxylic acid
alcohol
Example 2
The structure below shows a section of an addition polymer.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Which of the following molecules is used to make this polymer?
A
B
C
D
Answer Guidance
Question
Expected response
Max Mark
1
D
1
2
B
1
Section 2
Section 2 will have 60 marks, and will consist of restricted and extended response questions.
Possible types of Section 2 question are shown in examples 3 and 4.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Example 3
Technetium-99m is used in medicine to detect damage to heart tissue. It is a gamma-emitting
radioisotope and is injected into the body.
(a) The half-life of technetium-99m is 6 hours.
How much of a 2g sample of technetium-99m would be left after 12 hours?
2
(b) Suggest one reason why technetium-99m can be used safely in this way.
1
(c) Technetium-99m is formed when molybdenum-99 decays.
The decay equation is:
99
Mo
42
99
+ X
Tc
43
Identify X.
1
Example 4
Antacid tablets are used to treat indigestion which is caused by excess acid in the stomach.
Different brands of tablets contain different active ingredients.
magnesium
carbonate
calcium
carbonate
magnesium
hydroxide
aluminium
hydroxide
fizzes
fizzes
does not
fizz
does not
fizz
Cost per gram (pence)
16
11
7.5
22
Mass of solid needed to
neutralise 20 cm3 of acid (g)
0.7
1.2
0.6
0.4
13.2
4.5
8.8
Name of active ingredient
Reaction with acid
Cost of neutralising 20 cm3
of acid (pence)
(a) Write the ionic formula for aluminium hydroxide
(b) (i)
1
Complete the table to show the cost of using magnesium carbonate to neutralise 20
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
cm3 of acid.
(ii)
1
Which one of the four active ingredients would you use to neutralise excess stomach
acid?
1
Explain your choice
Answer Guidance
Question
Expected response
Max
mark
Additional
guidance
3
1 mark for number of half- lives is 2
2
Allow follow through
if number of halflives is incorrect
a
1 mark for ¼ of 2 = 0.5g
2 marks for 0.5g
b
Short half life
1
Would not last long in the body
Gamma would go right through body
c
4
1
Do not accept
electron
Al3+(OH-)3
1
Charges of ions
must be given
Beta / β /
a
/
b
i
16 x 0.7 = 11.2
1
b
ii
Named active ingredient with
appropriate reason, eg
1


magnesium hydroxidecheapest/doesn’t fizz
aluminium hydroxide – need to
take least amount
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Example Assignment Task for National 5 Chemistry Assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to allow the learner to carry out an in-depth study of a chemistry
topic. The topic will be chosen by the learner, who will investigate/ research the underlying
chemistry and the impact on the environment/society.
In the course of their Assignment, candidates are required to:









choose a topic in Chemistry that has an impact on the environment/ society
state the aim and give a rationale for the topic to be researched
investigate/research the topic, focusing on applications and impact on the environment/society.
state the application(s) of the topic.
present data/results
evaluate the impact on the environment/ society.
draw a conclusion
use chemistry knowledge and understanding related to the topic investigated/researched.
communicate the findings of the investigation
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
National
5 Sample
Marking Instructions for
CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT
Assignments
NATIONAL 5
(CRITERIA )
NATIONAL 5
Read through the whole of the candidate’s answer and use the Marking Guidelines below to arrive
at a ’best-fit’ mark.
N.B. The candidate's response must match the candidate's own data
TOTAL: 20 MARKS: [Skills 16/KU 4 (6 - A marks)]
0 MARKS
1 MARK
2 MARKS
3 MARKS
4 MARKS
The aim of the
investigation
The report
contains:
No appropriate
aim
The report
contains:
Appropriate aim
The relevance
of chosen topic
No relevance for
chosen topic
Relevance for
chosen topic
Investigate/rese
arch the topic,
No relevant points
from named
source
Relevant points
from one named
source
Relevant points
from two named
sources
No relevant
application is
given
A relevant
application is
given
A relevant
application is
given, with a
description.
Presentation of
data/results
No relevant data
presented / data is
not presented in
an appropriate
format
Relevant data is
presented in an
appropriate format
Relevant data is
presented
correctly in an
appropriate format,
with partial
labelling
Relevant data is
presented
correctly in an
appropriate format,
with all appropriate
labelling.
An evaluation of
the impact on
society / the
environment
No impact on the
environment /
society is stated
An impact on the
environment /
society is stated
An impact on the
environment /
society is stated,
with a limited
explanation
An impact on the
environment /
society is stated,
with a reasonable
explanation
A conclusion
No valid
conclusion stated
A valid conclusion
is stated.
No knowledge and
understanding
related to the topic
investigated/resear
ched is given.
One of:
 Account of
underlying
chemistry
relevant to
aims
 Chemistry
terms/ideas
are clear and
Two of:
 Account of
underlying
Chemistry
relevant to
aims
 Chemistry
terms/ideas
are clear and
All of:
 Account of
underlying
Chemistry
relevant to
aims
 Chemistry
terms/ideas
are clear and
The application
of the topic
Describe the
chemistry
knowledge and
understanding
related to the
topic
investigated /
researched
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
An impact on
the
environment/
society is
stated, with a
good
explanation
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT

Communicate
the findings of
the
investigation.
This should
take the form of
a report
No evidence of:
 Appropriate
and
informative
title, contents
page and page
numbers
 References
cited in text
 Report is clear
and concise
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
at an
appropriate
depth
Chemical
importance is
explained /
justified
Any one of:
 Appropriate
and
informative
title, contents
page and page
numbers
 References
cited in text
 Report is clear
and concise

at an
appropriate
depth
Chemical
importance is
explained /
justified
Any two of:
 Appropriate
and
informative
title, contents
page and page
numbers
 References
cited in text
 Report is clear
and concise

at an
appropriate
depth
Chemical
importance is
explained /
justified
Any three of :
 Appropriate
and
informative
title, contents
page and page
numbers
 References
cited in text
 Report is clear
and concise