National 5 History

Course Specification (28/05/2025)

Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Qualifications Scotland is fully committed to advancing anti-racism across all qualifications. Past papers and marking instructions may have been based on previous versions of our course specifications and therefore may not be in alignment with current decolonised terminology.

Access all past papers by subject/level


Specimen question paper

Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).

Coursework (23/09/2026)

This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.

Guidance on conditions of assessment

Understanding Standards (30/06/2026)

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Webinar (recordings)

Webinar (recording 19 November 2025): course assessment from session 2025-2026

Webinar (recording 1 November 2024): course assessment from session 2024-2025

Webinar (recording 1 December 2021): Question Paper from session 2021-2022

Audio Presentation

Changes to understanding standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

 

Course reports (24/09/2026)

Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.

Course Reports

Ushare open learning resources