Higher Art and Design
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
Explains the structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- Higher Art and Design Course Specification
September 2018
Gathering evidence (April 2021)
Higher Art and Design: Guidance on gathering key evidence in session 2020-21
A presentation with audio covering the gathering of evidence from National 5 to Advanced Higher can be found on the Understanding Standards website.
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Specimen Question Papers
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes 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.
- Coursework assessment task for Higher Art and Design - Expressive portfolio
September 2020 - Coursework assessment task for Higher Art and Design - Design portfolio
June 2018 - Higher Art and Design - Design portfolio evaluation template
August 2018 - Higher Art and Design - Expressive portfolio evaluation template
August 2018 - National 5 and Higher Art and Design Evaluation Instructions
August 2018
More information on the submission of Art and Design portfolios can be found on our Art and Design Practical Assessment web page
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 (Mar 2021)
Additional resources session 2020-21
The following audio visual presentations exemplify the guidance for National 5 and Higher portfolios.
- Audio presentation - N5 and Higher assessment Guidance for Design portfolio assessment (25 minutes) (71.58 MB)
- Audio presentation - N5 and Higher assessment Guidance for Expressive portfolio assessment (25 minutes) (60.56 MB)
- Audio presentation - Guidance on using key evidence to generate provisional results (28 minutes) (49.75 MB)
- Guidance on using key evidence to generate provisional results - frequently asked questions (144 KB)
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Please note: For session 2020-21 there will be no external assessment for this course. The materials below should therefore be viewed along with the National 5 to Advanced Higher Course information for 2020-21.
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
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.
Course assessment overview
- Overview of course assessment - presentation with audio (10 minutes) (9.16 MB)
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports
Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
Course Reports
- 2017 Higher Art and Design Course Report
October 2017 - 2019 Higher Art and Design Course Report
September 2019 - 2018 Higher Art and Design Course Report September 2018
- Art and Design: Quality Assurance - external verification
Verification Reports
- Art & Design Verification Key Messages Round 1
March 2017 - 2019 Higher Art and Design Course Report
September 2019 - 2018 Higher Art and Design Course Report September 2018
- March 2017
- Art and Design: Quality Assurance - external verification
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.