National 4 History

National 4 History

The National 4 History Course develops a range of skills including the ability to apply a straightforward historical perspective and to comment on historical sources in a range of contexts.

Learners gain a straightforward knowledge and understanding of the factors contributing to, and the impact of, historical events. They also develop the skills of investigating historical events and forming views, and of explaining historical events and drawing straightforward conclusions.

History homepage

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 Course 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.

 

Understanding Standards materials

We are publishing examples of candidate evidence with commentaries as part of our Understanding Standards programme. These materials are for teachers and lecturers to help them develop their understanding of the standards required for assessment. As these materials become available, they are being published in the following locations:

  • Available from our secure website Materials relating to Unit assessment, internally assessed components of Course assessment, and externally assessed components of Course assessment which are subject to visiting assessment. Teachers and lecturers can arrange access to these materials through their SQA Co-ordinator.
  • Available from our Understanding Standards website Materials relating to externally assessed components of Course assessment, with the exception of those subject to visiting assessment.

More information on our Understanding Standards programme, can be found on our Understanding Standards page.

 

Verification and Course Reports

There was no round 2 verification activity at this level in 2017.
There was no round 1 verification activity at this level in 2016.