Higher ESOL
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 ESOL Course Specification November 2019
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Higher ESOL Reading Specimen Question Paper May 2018
- Higher ESOL Writing Specimen Question Paper May 2018
- Higher ESOL Listening Specimen Question Paper May 2018
- Higher ESOL Listening (Recording) Specimen Question Paper May 2018
2021
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
Higher ESOL question paper - listening (212 KB)
Higher ESOL question paper - reading (334 KB)
Higher ESOL question paper - writing (260 KB)
Higher ESOL listening transcript (270 KB)
Higher 25% listening audio (25.78 MB)Higher ESOL listening audio (22.87 MB)
Higher ESOL listening marking instructions (131 KB)
Higher ESOL reading marking instructions (136 KB)
Higher ESOL writing marking instructions (125 KB)
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.
For information on marks scaling please see related information.
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 (17/02/2025)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further Understanding Standards materials including webinar recordings for this subject can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
Webinar (recordings)
Question Paper (writing) course assessment from session 2024-2025
Question Paper (writing) course assessment from session 2023-2024
Course assessment from session 2022-2023
Question Paper (writing) - January 2022
- Download webinar (236.49 MB)
Assessing ESOL online
- Download webinar (182.73 MB)
Course Assessment from session 2018-2019
- Download webinar(112.63 MB)
- Webinar Q and A(17 KB)
Audio Presentation
- Overview of Course Assessment 2018(18 minutes)
Changes to Understanding Standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports (30/06/2025)
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
- 2024 Higher ESOL course report September 2024
- 2023 Higher ESOL course report September 2023
- 2022 Higher ESOL course report September 2022
Verification Reports
Qualification Verification Summary Reports share outcomes from verification activity.