National 5 Practical Electronics

Practical Electronics National 4 National 5

Updates and announcements

Subject updates

October 2017 subject update (159 KB)
October 2016 subject update (276 KB)

Understanding the next steps for Practical Electronics

13-OCT-2017

Note for teachers and lecturers: The following guidance was published in August 2016 and details temporary measures that were put in place to reduce the volume of assessment in session 2016-17. The unit thresholds detailed in this document can continue to be applied to both units in National Courses and freestanding SCQF level 5 units from session 2017-18 onwards. However, the information on course assessment is no longer valid. Please refer instead to the most up-to-date course specification document for information on course assessment.

Understanding the next steps for session 2016-17 (141 KB)

Information about obtaining approval

22-JUN-2017

Centres need to apply for approval before delivering National 5 Practical Electronics for the first time.

Teachers and lecturers delivering or assessing Practical Electronics are required to have one of the following:

a physics or technology teaching degree
a degree in a physics, electronics, electrical engineering or a technology area with a post graduate teaching qualification and relevant experience in electronics

Centres must have:

a laboratory or electronics workshop with appropriate ventilation, equipped with power
soldering equipment and a range of electronic components, circuit construction and testing tools available for all candidates
IT equipment available for all candidates (including appropriate circuit simulation software)
personal protective equipment available for all candidates
a health & safety policy and risk assessment in place

Find out more about our approval process

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Essential 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.

N5 Practical Electronics Course Specification 2017-18 session
September 2017

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.

Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages Round 2
June 2015
2017 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report October 2017
2016 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report October 2016
Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages Round 2 June 2017
Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages October 2016

Assessment

Specimen Question Papers

These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include marking instructions.

Practical Electronics Specimen Question Paper National 5
August 2017

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Past papers are copies of exams that have been used in previous years. They can be used to help candidates revise for the live question paper.

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.

This subject has live assessment briefs which are held on SQA's secure site. Teachers and lecturers can access these and related confidential documents through their SQA co-ordinator.

Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Producing and Submitting Coursework

Resources

Understanding Standards

Changes to published Understanding Standards materials

When there are revisions to assessment, linked Understanding Standards material will be revised/removed and centres will be notified through centre news.

More examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on the SQA secure site, please ask your SQA co-ordinator.

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.