National 5 Practical Electronics
Alternative certification model
The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.
View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.
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.
Gathering evidence (Nov 2020)
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.
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.
- Coursework assessment task for National 5 Practical Electronics
October 2018 - 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
Please note: For session 2020-21 there will be no external assessment for this course. However, the materials detailed below remain a useful illustration of the standards required. These should be viewed along with the National 5 to Advanced Higher Course information for 2020-21.
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Course assessment overview
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Introduction (11 minutes)
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Analysis and Design (6 minutes)
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Designing and simulating a solution (9 minutes)
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Constructing the solution (14 minutes)
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Testing the solution (6 minutes)
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio: Reporting on the solution (4 minutes)
The audio presentation in the list above and further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
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
- 2017 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report
October 2017 - 2019 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report September 2019
- 2018 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report August 2018
Verification Reports
There was no verification activity for this subject for Round 1 of verification in 2015, therefore there are no subject-specific Verification Key Messages available at this stage. However, Generic Verification Key Messages are available which may be of interest to you. Subject-specific Verification Key Messages for this subject should be available following completion of Round 2 verification.
- Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages Round 2
June 2017 - Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages Round 2
June 2017 - Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages
October 2016 - 2016 National 5 Practical Electronics Course Report
October 2016 - Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages Round 2
June 2015 - Practical Electronics Verification Key Messages
Jul 2014
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.
Related Information
Contact Information
- Candidate and General Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000