Understanding Standards - new subject-specific materials available
We’ve published new Understanding Standards materials for Engineering Science, English, ESOL, Media, and RMPS.
The following materials are now available from our Understanding Standards website.
Engineering Science
- Advanced Higher: new examples of candidate evidence for the assignment, with commentaries.
- Advanced Higher: a recording of our webinar from 1 October 2024 which provides an overview of the project. This is accompanied by a Q&A document. Please note that the webinar and Q&A document were previously published on the SQA Secure website.
English
- National 5: a candidate evidence checklist and commentary for the performance-spoken language assessment
- Higher: a candidate evidence checklist and commentary for the performance-spoken language assessment
ESOL
- National 5: new examples of candidate evidence for the question paper – writing, with commentaries
Media
- Higher: a recording of our webinar from 22 January 2025 which provides an overview of question paper 1
RMPS
- Higher: new examples of candidate evidence and annotated candidate evidence for question paper 2, with commentaries
Secure Understanding Standards materials
The following materials are available from the Understanding Standards materials section of the SQA Secure website (log-in required).
English
- National 3: a new example of candidate evidence for language literacy
- National 4: a new example of candidate evidence for creation and production
About Understanding Standards materials
We have a significant range of online resources to help you develop your understanding of national standards for assessment in your courses and prepare your learners for assessment.
This includes candidate evidence and commentary materials – real examples of candidate assessment evidence, with a written commentary by an SQA senior examiner that explains why and where candidates have been awarded marks.
We also have a wide range of webinar recordings and audio presentations, which explain the requirements for assessments. We continually review our Understanding Standards materials to make sure they stay relevant and up to date for each course.
Visit www.understandingstandards.org.uk/Subjects to access Understanding Standards materials for your courses.
A list of the most recently published Understanding Standards materials is available from www.understandingstandards.org.uk/Updates.
Some Understanding Standards materials are available from the SQA Secure website, for assessments where the evidence must be kept secure and confidential. You can arrange access to secure Understanding Standards materials through your SQA co-ordinator.