WHAT IS A NATIONAL QUALIFICATION?

National Qualifications are one of the most important types of qualification in Scotland, and almost everyone leaving school or college today has one or more National Qualifications. They are mainly taken by learners in the Senior Phase of secondary school (S4 - S6) and learners in colleges, including adult learners.

They cover a range of subjects and are designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed beyond the classroom; whether progressing to other SQA qualifications, training, employment or university. Find out more here.

Progression in S5 and S6 from N4 to N5 or from N5 to Higher is the target for many. Some individuals may go straight to Higher in S4, while Advanced Higher will be the appropriate choice for some in S6.

How do the current National Qualifications differ from the previous National Qualifications?

There is more focus on skills development compared to the previous qualifications, however, the current qualifications still place a great deal of importance on knowledge and understanding.

The current National Qualifications have also been designed to share a similar structure at each level. This means there is a smoother progression between levels, e.g. when progressing from National 5 to Higher.

The majority of pupils at Oldmachar have achieved a National 4 or 5 qualifications in their chosen subjects by the end of S4. Some may not be able to cope with this in all their subjects and so presentation for a National 1, 2 or 3 qualification may be appropriate at this stage.

How will I learn?

You will learn as you have been doing in S1 through to S3 but at a higher level. You will need to work actively and find out things for yourself using worksheets, books, video recordings, computers, and so on. All the time you will be learning skills that will help you to solve problems, rather than just memorising facts.

You will often work in groups, or in pairs, learning to co-operate with other pupils in finding answers to problems; but of course, you will still have to work on your own some of the time.

Who decides my results?

For Levels up to National 4, the assessments are conducted within the school. Moderation or checking by the Scottish Qualification Authority will ensure even standards across the country. For National 5-7, your final examinations in May are marked by SQA externally appointed markers. Some courses also have internal components which are included in your final grade. It is important to work well over the year and not just at exam times. All these grades are then combined by the Qualifications Authority to give your final result.

How are the results worked out?

Courses will continue to contain work that is assessed and marked throughout the year by teachers as it is at present. For example, teachers will continue to mark assessments such as PE performance and English listening and talking assessments.

These are ‘Units’ of work that are marked as pass or fail in all National Qualifications. Individual subjects up to National 4 levels will not be graded but marked overall by pass or fail. If a learner fails an end of year assessment/exam, they will receive credit for what they have achieved at that level. This is similar to what currently happens with a number of our qualifications. At National 5, Higher (National 6) and Advanced Higher (National 7) the end of course exam will be graded as A to D.

If a learner fails this assessment, they will receive credit for the ‘Units’ they have achieved at this level. Again, this is similar to what has happened with Intermediate and Higher assessments in the past.

It doesn't sound too difficult - maybe I could get a really good pass if I put in a real last-minute swot?

You couldn't be more wrong! You have to work all the time and are being assessed by your teacher all the time. Enquiring, problem-solving and many other activities are going on in class throughout your course, and you can't pick up a book and simply catch up that way. That's why it's important not to miss parts of the course through avoidable absence - some of the work simply can't be done again, or covered easily at home.

Can my parents help?

Yes! Show them the skills you are learning and discuss your courses with them. Ask them to help you with things you are learning - they will be very interested to see how different school now is compared to their own school days. They may help you to arrange a quiet area with a suitable writing surface for study and homework and they'll help you to remember all the important deadlines you will have to meet during the next session.