SQA Exam technique and revision resources

Higher Graphic Communication 3D CAD modelling techniques and design elements and principles

The Advanced Higher Graphic Communication course is a progression from the Higher Graphic Communication course, and you should be familiar with the Higher Graphic Communication course content, especially 3D CAD modelling techniques and design elements and principles.

Understanding Standards

We have used responses from the 2017 exam to create material you can use in your revision. You can find this on our Understanding Standards website.

You may find it helpful to refer to this material when you are working through the 2017 past paper.

Look at question 1 (a) for candidate 2 for an idea of what is expected in a CAD response.

‘Describe’ and ‘explain’ questions

‘Describe’ and ‘explain’ questions require extended responses. Do not answer them with simple bulleted statements or single-word responses, as you will not be able to gain all the available marks.

For ‘describe’ questions you should provide a statement or structure of characteristics and/or features, not just an outline or a list. The number of marks available for a question indicates the number of points you need to make. In the Understanding Standards materials for the 2017 exam, look at question 2 (a) (i) for candidates 2 and 4 for an idea of what is expected in a ‘describe’ response.

For ‘explain’ questions you must relate cause and effect and/or define relationships. This must be in the context of the question, or a specific area within the question. In the Understanding Standards materials for the 2017 exam, look at question 3 (e) for candidates 3 and 4 for an idea of what is expected in an ‘explain’ response.

Preliminary, production and promotional graphics

During your revision, consider a range of preliminary, production and promotional graphics. Think about:

• the reasons for creating the graphic

• the methods used to generate the graphic

• the possible users of the graphic

• the advantages and disadvantages of a particular format

• where the graphic fits within the design process, including its relevance to particular professions

Additional space

If you need to, use the additional space at the back of the exam booklet to continue answering a question. Remember to clearly identify which questions you are answering in the additional space.

Sketches and annotations

Support your answers with sketches and annotate graphics, if appropriate. Do not write on or annotate the graphics on the supplementary sheets as they are not marked.