Assessment and Quality Assurance

This section lists publications which have been specially written for centres approved by us. It includes guides to Scottish Qualifications Authority procedures and quality assurance - certification, assessment, centre approval, moderation/verification, and validation. Some of the publications are available to download in PDF format by clicking on their title. These are indicated by the icon.

Due to the size of this section, we have split it into three areas to keep it easy to navigate:

• Information for Centres
• Assessment and Quality Assurance
• Assessment Arrangements

Assessment and Quality Assurance

Devolved Authority and Quality Audits
Information for centres on our quality audits.
Free, A0963, August 2000

E-moderation: guidelines for FE staff and external moderators 
Free, AA1675, November 2004 

Exemplification of Standards CD-ROM 2001
CD-ROM for use by teachers and lecturers in order to promote a wider understanding of national standards in assessment.
Free, BB1425, April 2002

External Assessment Moderation in National Qualifications and Higher National qualifications: a guide for centres
This guide provides details of SQA's assessment moderation system for Higher National qualifications and National Qualifications.
Free, AA0892/2, December 2001

Guide to Approval for Training Providers and Employers
For training providers and employers who want to offer SQA qualifications. Provides information on what happens before, during and after approval and gives advice on making your application. Also supplies the contact details for people who can be of assistance to you while you are seeking SQA approval.
Free, A0961/5, February 2006 

Guidance for UK-Based Centres Offering Qualifications Overseas
Guidance for UK-based centres aiming to offer advice on the development of successful international partnerships to deliver SQA qualifications, and provide support in promoting the uniqueness and excellence of Scottish education and training internationally.
Free, AA2537, October 2005

The following guide replaces the three previous 'Guide to Assessment and Quality Assurance' publications: for Colleges and Further Education (AA0841), for Secondary Schools (A0840) and for Training Providers and Employers (AA0842).

Guide to Assessment
This Guide provides support for everyone involved in assessment.  It gives an overview of the different purposes of assessment and the principles of  of assessment. The Guide contains information sheets on each of the most common assessment instruments and outlines the processes for assessing SQA Units and Courses. A glossary of assessment terminology is provided as well as a reference section of publications and websites.
Free, AA4147, June 2008

Related downloads

• Guide to Assessment Case Study 1 - Realistic Work Environment
• Guide to Assessment Case Study 2 - Professional Discussion

Guidelines for Online Assessment
Guidance document for FE colleges who are using computers and internet technologies to assess candidates for SQA qualifications.
Free, AA1641, March 2003

Higher National Qualifications: Latest Information
Guidance for centres on modification, development and specifications for Higher National Units and qualifications.
Free, B0592/2, April 2000

SQA Guidelines on e-assessment for Schools
These guidelines have been developed from the results of various projects which have explored e-assessment and online assessment. They have been written for all staff in schools - senior management; teachers involved in the delivery, moderation and quality assurance of assessments; and technical and other support staff.

The guidelines offer advice on:

• why you might choose to use e-assessment
• what you will need to do to use e-assessment
• software and hardware issues
• security and authentication issues
• supporting candidates and giving feedback

This schools guidance complements other related SQA publications: SQA Guidelines on Online Assessment for Further Education, E-moderation: Guidelines for FE Staff and External Moderators and Quality Assurance for Open and Distance Learning.
Free, BD2625, June 2005

SQA Guidelines on Online Assessment for Further Education
Guidelines to online assessment of Further Education SQA qualifications
Free, AA1641, March 2003

SQA's Quality Framework: a guide for centres A description of SQA's quality framework and a summary of the responsibilities of each centre. Free, FA1595, March 2006 This publication replaces Quality Assurance Principles, Elements and Criteria. The new framework will be used for quality assurance monitoring purposes from 1 August 2006.

 To order any of the publications listed, contact SQA's Customer Contact Centre quoting the publication code (unless otherwise indicated) or print, complete and return our Order Form. You can order any of our publications by credit card, Delta or by Switch.

Customer Contact Centre
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ

Tel: 0845 279 1000
Fax: 0845 213 5000
E-mail: customer@sqa.org.uk

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Publications Feedback

We are very keen to receive your views on how useful SQA's publications are to you in offering our qualifications. If you have comments on a document, or more general points about our publications, please note them down on our Publication Feedback form.