Higher Computing Science
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
Specimen Question Papers
These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include marking instructions.
- Higher Computing Science Specimen Question Paper
May 2017 - Question Paper Brief - Higher Computing Science
September 2016
The National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) have also produced Higher Revision in a Nutshell guides to help learners prepare for Higher exams.
Questions in the Higher Computing Science question paper will now be numbered sequentially throughout, as shown in the Exemplar Question Paper. The Specimen Question Paper will be updated to reflect this in due course.
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 Higher Computing Science
September 2016 - Guidance on conditions of assessment (409 KB)
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
- 2017 Higher Computing Science Course Report October 2017
- 2016 Higher Computing Science Course Report October 2016
- 2015 Higher Computing Science Course Report Oct 2015
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 2 June 2017
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2017
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages October 2016
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages October 2015
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 Report
Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
- 2017 Higher Computing Science Course Report October 2017
- 2016 Higher Computing Science Course Report October 2016
- 2015 Higher Computing Science Course Report Oct 2015
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 2 June 2017
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2017
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages October 2016
- Computing Science Verification Key Messages October 2015
Assessment
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Resources
Understanding Standards
- Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
- Changes to published Understanding Standards materials
- Overview of Course Assessment Presentation with audio (10 minutes) (15.59 MB)
Please note: Understanding Standards material is regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
More examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
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.