Higher English



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.

2021 Key Messages

The Alternative Certification Model included a national quality assurance activity, carried out in May 2021. SQA appointees reviewed and provided feedback on a selection of assessment evidence from SQA centres. Subject-specific feedback has been provided to those centres for each course and level they were selected for.

The key messages report provides information on any common themes and key points from the evidence submitted and reviewed across all the selections. This report is provided for all delivering centres to reflect upon and make any appropriate adjustments.

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.


Gathering evidence (May 2021)

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).

We have republished the specimen question papers in new templates for session 2018-19, and we have made some minor changes to wording to ensure the information is clearer and easier to understand. We have also given the documents new codes.

 

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.

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

Understanding Standards (May 2021)

Additional resources session 2020-21

  • Webinar recording - Guidance on marking and how to apply marking principles 
  • Webinar presentation - Question paper 2 Critical reading 

The material above can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.

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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

Course assessment overview

Changes to understanding standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Higher English performance - spoken language Understanding Standards materials

Login required Please speak to your SQA co-ordinator to access these materials.

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

Verification Reports

In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.

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.

Scottish Texts in English Courses

Scottish text list for National 5 and Higher English courses.

In 2016, we carried out a consultation with teachers and other key stakeholders on the refresh of the Scottish set text list for National 5 and Higher English courses. Based on the findings of this consultation, we have refreshed the Scottish set text list for use from session 2018-19 onwards. The report below details the findings of our consultation.

Ushare open learning resources