About assessment arrangements
Assessment Arrangements for 2020-21
The Assessment Arrangements Request (AAR) system opens for Higher and Advanced Higher on 1 December 2020.
Our general guidance on assessment arrangements for 2020-21 is unchanged and can be found below. You should continue to use the same internal assessment arrangements processes already in place in your centre to support candidates requiring an assessment arrangement.
Please be aware of the following when considering assessment arrangements:
- That you comply with the most up to date guidance on COVID-19 both from your local authority and Scottish government
- Where an arrangement is not possible, try, wherever possible, an alternative. For example, if a candidate uses a human reader but this is not possible to provide, consider whether a computer reader would suffice. The candidate may need extra time to practice this.
- Where candidates are unable to come into the centre, assessments can be conducted remotely provided appropriate authentication measures are in place, which for some assessments will require online supervision. We will issue more guidance on this shortly
National 5
In 2021, National 5 courses will be assessed using an alternative certification approach, based on teacher and lecturer judgement supported by assessment resources and quality assurance.
If any of your candidates are disabled or have additional support needs and have been identified as needing assessment arrangements, please ensure that these are in place for each assessment and/or assignment. Where possible, you should follow your normal internal verification process for requesting assessment arrangements.
Please note that the AAR system system will not accept requests for National 5 candidates this year, but please keep a record of your decisions and any evidence that supports them.
Higher and Advanced Higher
You should continue to enter assessment arrangement requests on the AAR system for Higher and Advanced Higher examinations.
Assessment arrangements allow candidates who are disabled, and/or have been identified as having additional support needs, access to appropriate arrangements to complete the assessment without compromising its integrity.
Principles and procedures you must follow when providing assessment arrangements:
Further guidance
- Additional Guidance for use when requesting Adapted Question Papers and Artwork (3.08 MB)
- Using a scribe in the assessment of writing in Modern Languages and Gaelic (Learners) (18 KB)
- Information on the appropriate use of Speech Recognition Software in SQA’s external examinations (43 KB)
- Use of a bilingual dictionary for English as an Additional Language (EAL) candidates (173 KB)
A large comprehensive school describes how they have approached supporting candidates with mental health difficulties in SQA's National Qualifications.
Case Study on Mental Health (210 KB)
