National 4 History
Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can view all the sections.
Mandatory information
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.
Unit Specifications
These provide an outline of what each Unit will cover within the following Unit Specifications and detail the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
Added Value Unit Specification
These define the mandatory requirements for the Added Value Unit, including the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
They also include the further mandatory information on Course coverage for the National 4 Course and include information on the assessment method to be used and the conditions of assessment.
Advice and guidance
Course and Unit Support Notes
These provide advice and guidance for teachers/lecturers on learning, teaching and assessment within the Course and its Units.
Assessment support
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Added Value Unit Assessment
The History Added Value Unit assessment is an assignment. While describing what candidates must do, the published assessment offers considerable flexibility in the choice of a context for the assessment.
Candidates have an open choice of topic or issue to research, provided it will enable them to meet the requirements of the Unit and that resources are likely to be available. Candidates research their chosen topic or issue by applying historical skills and drawing on knowledge and understanding to collect evidence, organise information, and present their findings.
Centres can access the assessment through their SQA Co-ordinator.
As with all SQA Unit assessments, Added Value Unit assessments must be internally verified by centres.
Unit Assessment Support
These documents contain details of Unit assessment task(s), show approaches to gathering evidence and how the evidence can be judged against the Outcomes and Assessment Standards. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these confidential documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.
Verification and Course Reports
In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.
There was no round 2 verification activity at this level in 2017.
There was no round 1 verification activity at this level in 2016.
In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.
Resources
Understanding Standards
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries for unit assessment can be found on the SQA secure site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
