Higher Biology

Biology National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher Adv Higher

Subject updates

October 2019 subject update (197 KB)
October 2018 subject update (224 KB)

Changes to freestanding Biology and Human Biology units at SCQF levels 5 and 6 from session 2020-21

30-JUN-2020

At the start of 2020 we advised that we would be updating the unit specifications and unit assessment support packs for freestanding Biology and Human Biology units at SCQF levels 5 and 6 by the end of June. The updated documents are now available for use in session 2020-21 onwards.

The freestanding units are no longer part of the course hierarchies; however, some of these units still contribute to National Qualification Group Awards, centre-devised awards and Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP). To support delivering centres, we have updated the unit specifications and unit assessments to reflect the revised content in the National 5 and Higher courses.

The freestanding units at SCQF levels 5 and 6 also have new unit codes.

Access the documents

Access the revised unit specifications for Freestanding Biology units and Freestanding Human Biology units.

The revised unit assessment support packs are available on from our secure website at https://secure.sqa.org.uk. Please note: the revised unit assessment support packs contain some questions for assessment of outcome 2 that are also in the previous versions and are therefore not suitable to use for re-assessment.

All unit assessments must be kept secure and any assessment activity undertaken must adhere to the relevant conditions of assessment.

The previous versions will remain available until 31 July 2021 for any centres that plan to continue using those versions in session 2020-21.

If you have any queries about these changes, please e-mail mycentre@sqa.org.uk.

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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 Biology Course Specification
September 2019

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

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 Biology Specimen Question Paper 1
September 2018
Higher Biology 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.

List of possible assignment investigations (81 KB)
Coursework assessment task for Higher Biology
June 2020

Guidance on conditions of assessment

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

Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)

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

2019 Higher Biology Course Report September 2019
2018 Higher Biology Course Report September 2018
Biology: Quality Assurance - external verification

Understanding Standards

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Changes to understanding standards materials

Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects

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

Audio presentation

Biology Units: assessment and external verification (SCQF level 3 - SCQF level 7) (22.52 MB)

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.