National 5 Environmental Science
2021 Key Messages
The Alternative Certification Model included a national quality assurance activity, carried out in May 2021. SQA appointees reviewed and provided feedback on a selection of assessment evidence from SQA centres. Subject-specific feedback has been provided to those centres for each course and level they were selected for.
The key messages report provides information on any common themes and key points from the evidence submitted and reviewed across all the selections. This report is provided for all delivering centres to reflect upon and make any appropriate adjustments.
Course Specification
This explains the overall structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- N5 Environmental Science Course Specification (535 KB)
June 2021
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Specimen Question Papers
These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include marking instructions.
- Environmental Science Specimen Question Paper National 5
September 2017
Coursework
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.
- Coursework assessment task for National 5 Environmental Science
June 2020 - Guidance on conditions of assessment
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards
Additional resources session 2021-22
New – new materials not previously published
Updated – published in 2020/21 but amended for 2021/22
Carried forward – published in 2020/21 carried forward to 2021/22
- Carried forward - Question paper skills tagging 2014-2019
- Updated - Guidance on estimates and gathering evidence
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Please note: For session 2021-22 there are modifications to this course. Understanding Standards materials should therefore be viewed along with the National Course modification summary available in the Course information 2021-22 section.
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Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Course assessment overview
- Overview of course assessment presentation with audio (35 minutes)
- National 5 revised course assessment (November 2017)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports
These reports provide information on the performance of candidates which it is hoped will be useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
Course Reports
- 2016 National 5 Environmental Science Course Report
September 2016 - 2017 National 5 Environmental Science Course Report
October 2017 - 2018 National 5 Environmental Science Course Report
September 2018 - 2019 National 5 Environmental Science Course Report
September 2019
Verification Reports
There was no round 2 verification activity at this level in 2017.
CPD
Additional CPD support
Where any particular areas of concern are identified, which are not addressed by our Understanding Standards events or support materials, we will offer free continuing professional development (CPD) training, subject to request. CPD support is subject-specific and can be tailored to cover one or more qualification level. To find out more about this service visit our CPD page.