Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
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).
- Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Specimen Question Paper 1
September 2018 - Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Specimen Question Paper 2
September 2018
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 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
August 2019 - Higher RMPS Assignment Resource Sheet
February 2019 - Higher RMPS Assignment Resource Sheet for Printing
February 2019
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 (March 2021)
Additional resources session 2020-21
- Audio presentation - Question paper (42.32 MB)
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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
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
There was no round 2 verification activity at this level in 2017.
- 2016 Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical studies Course Report
September 2016 - 2017 Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical studies Course Report
October 2017 - 2018 Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Course Report
September 2018 - 2019 Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies Course Report
October 2019
Verification Reports
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.