Literacy and Numeracy

Subject updates

English subject updates

Mathematics subject updates

Common questions

English common questions

Assessment in session 2020-21

Assessing talking skills in English and Literacy units in session 2020-21

In session 2020-21 there is no requirement to assess talking skills in the following English and Literacy units:

  • Literacy SCQF levels 3-5
  • Creation and Production SCQF levels 4-6
  • Producing Language SCQF level 3

This is an addition to previously published modifications and is in line with the removal of the requirement to assess Spoken Language in National 5 and Higher English courses. Talking skills are fundamental to English and Literacy courses and, although talking does not need to be formally assessed in session 2020-21, centres are encouraged to continue to develop these skills where there are opportunities to do so. Discussion can be a hugely effective contributor to learning, so we encourage integrating this into all areas of the course, where appropriate.

Qualification content and delivery tools

Mandatory information

Literacy Unit Specifications in English

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

Literacy Unit Specifications in Gàidhlig

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

Numeracy Unit Specifications

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

Advice and guidance

Literacy - Unit Support Notes

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

If a Unit is being done on a free-standing basis, notes need only be read along with the Unit Specification.

Numeracy - Unit Support Notes

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

If a Unit is being done on a free-standing basis, notes need only be read along with the Unit Specification.

Assessment support

Unit Assessment Support Materials

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.

Bridging packs for Literacy (National 5), Gàidhlig: Literacy (National 5) and Numeracy (National 5) are now available and teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.

Annotated Unit assessment support is available for Literacy Units at National 3 and National 4. These documents are designed to encourage and promote inclusive practice in the assessment of the National Literacy Units, particularly where learners may have reading and writing difficulties. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.

Verification

Resources

Understanding Standards

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.

Course assessment overview

Changes to understanding standards materials

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