Advanced 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.
- Advanced Higher Biology Course Specification
April 2015
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.
- Advanced Higher Biology Course/Unit Support Notes
September 2015
Assessment support
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Specimen Question Papers
These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include marking instructions.
- Advanced Higher Biology Specimen Question Paper
January 2016 - Question Paper Brief - Advanced Higher Biology (212 KB)
October 2015
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.
- General assessment information for Advanced Higher Biology
September 2016 - Guidance on conditions of assessment (409 KB)
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
- 2018 Advanced Higher Biology Course Report
September 2018 - Biology Verification Key Messages Round 2
May 2018 - Biology Verification Key Messages Round 1
March 2018 - 2017 Advanced Higher Biology Course Report October 2017
- 2016 Advanced Higher Biology Course Report October 2016
- Biology Verification Key Messages Round 2 May 2017
- Biology Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2017
Resources
Understanding Standards
- Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
- Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects
Please note: Understanding Standards material is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains up to date.
Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on the SQA Secure Site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.
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.
Course Reports
In 2019, a single qualification verification summary report replaced the verification key messages.
Assessment
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
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.