Higher Physical Education
Course Specification (30/05/2024)
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
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Higher Physical Education Specimen Question (499 KB) September 2018
2021
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
Coursework (30/05/2024)
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.
- Higher Physical Education coursework assessment task May 2024
- Guidance for Internally Assessed Coursework Component - Physical Education: Performance October 2018
Information on the production and submission of Qualifications Scotland assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (18/11/2025)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
Course assessment overview
Webinar (recordings)
Webinar (recording): 03 December 2024 Question Paper 2024-2025
Webinar (recording 9 November 2022): Question Paper session 2022-2023
Question Paper ( 06 Dec 2021)
- Download webinar(100.86 MB)
- Webinar - Q and A Dec 2021 - Question Paper(141 KB)
Course Assessment (19 September 2019)
- Download webinar (90.67 MB)
- Webinar Q and A (59 bytes)
Audio Presentation
- Event Verification - presentation with audio (14.87 MB)
- National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Physical Education – Assessing Candidates with Disabilities 2024 Audio Presentation (15.60 MB)
- National 5 - Advanced Higher - Performance 2023-2024 (22 minutes) (34.00 MB)
- Overview of course assessment 2018 (8 minutes) (8.55 MB)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports (09/10/2025)
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
- 2025 Higher Physical Education course report October 2025
- 2024 Higher Physical Education course report September 2024
- 2023 Higher Physical Education course report September 2023
Verification Reports
Course support (19/03/2026)
Scottish Disability Sport
Scottish Disability Sport have produced resources which give information about inclusive activities and approaches for use with learners with disabilities.
For PE and Primary Teachers, these sport-specific top tips cards will give some ideas on how to include pupils with disabilities in mainstream PE classes.
This e-learning module is aimed at anyone who wishes to know more about physical activity and sport for participants with a disability.
This course provides a basic introduction to boccia for anyone interested in learning about the sport.
Education Scotland
On Tuesday November 11, 2025, Education Scotland and SQA held a Higher PE event aimed at enhancing understanding of the national standards and exploring the learning and teaching that support these standards.
The afternoon session was led by Education Scotland and participants examined the learning and teaching aspects related to the scenario and data collection elements of the Higher course.
The conversations, thoughts, and suggestions from participants can be found: