CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Further information on National 5
Specimen Question Paper and National 5
Specimen Coursework
Philosophy
Key points
The National 5 Philosophy 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 think about problems by asking questions about the world we live in, and
focuses on the ideas and philosophical arguments relating to general and fundamental
philosophical issues.
At National 5, Course assessment will consist of two components: a question paper (50 marks) and
an assignment (30 marks).
The question paper will sample and assess skills, knowledge and understanding from the
mandatory information on Course coverage. The style of questions will build on the existing
Intermediate 2 approach. The structure of the paper will differ from Intermediate 2 as there will be
no optional questions.
The assignment will require learners to use philosophical skills and techniques to investigate a
question or claim. This is a new method of assessment in Philosophy, and it will allow learners to
explore an area of interest in greater depth.
Course assessment will be out of 80 marks.
National 5 Specimen Question Paper
(publication by 28 February 2013)
The purpose of the question paper is to assess the candidate’s ability to integrate and apply skills,
knowledge and understanding from across the Course content. This question paper will ask
learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 knowing, understanding and being able to clearly explain basic philosophical positions and
theories
 discussing and debating philosophical positions
 analysing and evaluating philosophical positions, at a basic level
 identifying assumptions at a basic level
 recognising reasoning and common fallacies used in arguments
 developing knowledge and understanding of the structure of simple arguments
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
 applying basic philosophical skills to analyse and evaluate simple arguments
The question paper will have a total of 50 marks. Learners will complete it in one hour and 30
minutes.
It will have one section, with no options. Questions will be structured, with scenarios or stimuli
throughout asking learners to apply their philosophical skills, knowledge and understanding. There
will be three or four of these structured questions, each with sub-questions worth one to six marks.
National 5 Specimen Coursework
(publication by 30 April 2013)
The purpose of the assignment is to assess the learner’s ability to describe a philosophical
question or claim and to select relevant sources of information. Learners will analyse and evaluate
the information relating to the question or claim. They will present an informed philosophical view,
with reference to appropriate texts and sources.
This assignment will ask learners to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and
understanding:
 using philosophical skills and techniques
 communicating philosophically-informed views on questions or claims using suitable
terminology, and with reference to appropriate texts and sources
The assignment will have a total of 30 marks. It is proposed that there will be four sections:
1
2
3
Describing the chosen philosophical question or claim
Analysing the reasons or arguments relating to the chosen question or claim
Evaluating the reasons or arguments relating to the chosen philosophical question or claims
4
Presenting an informed personal view on the philosophical question or claim
This assignment will be compiled over a period of time and under supervision.
It is proposed that an assignment booklet is developed and provided to learners to use as a
framework to record their assessment evidence.
The assignment will be externally marked by SQA.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Further information on National 5
Sample Questions and Tasks
Philosophy
National 5 Specimen Question Paper (publication by 28 February
2013)
The question paper will carry 50 marks and will have one section: there will be no options. It
is proposed that there will be three or four structured questions, each with sub-questions
with mark allocations of between 1 and 6 marks. Scenarios and stimuli may be used in the
paper to allow learners to apply their philosophical skills, knowledge and understanding.
This is an illustrative example of the type of question that may be used in the Specimen
Question paper:
(a) Give an example of a sentence that is not a statement.
(1)
(b) Plato believed in reincarnation. He was one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived.
Therefore, reincarnation must be true. Identify and explain the fallacy contained in the
above argument.
(3)
(c) Explain what is wrong with arguments which are guilty of attacking the person. Give an
example to support your answer.
(3)
(d) What is the difference between a valid and a sound argument?
(2)
(e) State a missing premise that would make sure the following argument is sound:
 All poodles are dogs.
 Therefore, all poodles are mammals.
(1)
(Total 10 marks)
The approach to marking will draw on the approach taken at Intermediate 2. This includes
credit being given to the quality of the thought revealed in learners’ answers. Marks are not
awarded solely, or even mainly, for the quantity of knowledge conveyed.
National 5 Specimen Coursework
(publication by 30 April 2013)
The purpose of the assignment is to assess the learner’s ability to describe a philosophical
question and a related question or claim and to select relevant sources of information.
The assignment has 30 marks.
An example of a possible question or claim is shown below:
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
We never make free choices. In what ways do philosophers respond to this claim?
In order to produce their response to this claim, learners are expected to:
 Describe the chosen philosophical question or claim: this will include describing why the
chosen question or claim is of interest to philosophers, and identifying and describing the
relevance of sources used to investigate the question or claim.
 Analyse the reasons or arguments relating to the chosen question or claim: this will
include using and describing the work of relevant philosophers and relevant sources.
 Evaluate the reasons or arguments relating to the chosen philosophical question or
claims: this will involve identifying features of philosophers’ work that provides helpful
information to consider when forming judgements. They will identify strengths and
weaknesses of philosophical positions and views.
 Present an informed personal view on the philosophical question or claims: this will
involve using appropriate terminology and explaining, with supporting reasons, an
opinion on the question or claim.
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT