Latest Understanding Standards materials

Our wide range of Understanding Standards materials explain and illustrate the standards required in SQA assessments.

We regularly review and update these materials to ensure they remain relevant and useful, and we are continuing to publish new materials throughout session 2022–23 where needed.

We have recently published the following new materials:

Art and Design: National 5 portfolio (design) – candidate evidence and commentaries (available on SQA Secure)

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 National 5 Art and Design portfolio (design). Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Art and Design: Higher portfolio (design) – candidate evidence and commentaries (available on SQA Secure)

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 Higher Art and Design portfolio (design). Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Chemistry: Higher assignment – candidate evidence and commentaries

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 Higher Chemistry assignment. Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Chemistry: Advanced Higher project – candidate evidence and commentaries

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 Advanced Higher Chemistry project. Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Design and Manufacture: Advanced Higher question paper – candidate evidence and commentaries

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 Advanced Higher Design and Manufacture question paper, with finalised marking instructions. Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Music Technology: Higher project – candidate evidence and commentaries (available on SQA Secure)

We have published examples of evidence submitted by candidates for the 2022 Higher Music Technology project. Alongside these examples, we have published commentaries written by an SQA senior examiner, which explains how many marks were awarded to each candidate and why.

Music Technology: Advanced Higher project – candidate evidence, commentaries and media files (available on SQA Secure)

Access these materials

These new materials will help you to strengthen your own understanding of the national standards required in assessments, so you can feel more confident about preparing your learners.

You can access the materials referenced above (with the exception of materials marked as available on SQA Secure) from our Understanding Standards website at www.understandingstandards.org.uk.

View all our latest Understanding Standards resources.

SQA Secure

As identified above, the following materials are only available from the Understanding Standards section of the SQA Secure website:

Art and Design: National 5 portfolio (design) – candidate evidence and commentaries
Art and Design: Higher portfolio (design) – candidate evidence and commentaries
Music Technology: Higher project – candidate evidence and commentaries
Music Technology: Advanced Higher project – candidate evidence, commentaries and media files

You can arrange access to these through your SQA co-ordinator. Please store these materials securely (for example, in a password-protected folder) and treat them as confidential.