Higher Biology

Mandatory information

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.

Course Assessment Specification

This explains the structure of the Course assessment; including the type and method of assessment. It also includes information on Course coverage.

Unit Specifications

These provide an outline of what each Unit will cover within the Course and detail the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.

Advice and guidance

Course and Unit Support Notes

These provide advice and guidance for teachers/lecturers on learning, teaching and assessment within the Course and its Units.

The following document contains the Course Support Notes and the Unit Support Notes for this Course. They can be printed together or separately.

Assessment support

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

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.

 

Unit Assessment Support

These documents contain details of Unit assessment task(s), show approaches to gathering evidence and how the evidence can be judged against the Outcomes and Assessment Standards. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these confidential documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.

 

Course Reports

Essential Information

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.

The Course Specification details the key area content (as published in the course comparison document).

The following document shows how the revised course structure from 2018-19 onwards compares with the current course structure. The key areas of the course and the depth of knowledge required for each key area can be assessed in the question paper.

Course Report

Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.

There was no verification activity at this level in 2017.

Assessment

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Access all past papers by subject/level

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.

Resources

Understanding Standards

CPD

Events

Biology events

These events will focus on the revised course assessment for session 2018-19 onwards. Delegates will take part in workshops, where they will have the opportunity to review and discuss the revised course documents with colleagues. They will also have the opportunity to have their questions answered by senior examining team members.

When and where:

Friday 02 November 2018 - Inverness Saturday 03 November 2018 - Aberdeen Monday 12 November 2018 - Dunblane Friday 23 November 2018 - Edinburgh Saturday 24 November 2018 - Glasgow To book please register on our booking system

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.