Select subject Select subject SQA confirms assessment changes will remain in place for 2022-23 The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has confirmed today that changes to the way National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher are assessed, that take into account disruption to learning caused by the global pandemic, will remain in place for the next academic year. newslogo.jpg SQA confirms assessment changes will remain in place for 2022-23 28 April 2022 None Thursday 28 April 2022 The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has confirmed that changes to the way National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher are assessed, that take into account disruption to learning caused by the global pandemic, will remain in place for the next academic year. SQA made significant modifications to course assessments for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses, and some National 3 and National 4 at the beginning of the 2020-21 academic year to reduce the volume of assessment and ease the workload of learners, teachers and lecturers. These changes remained in place for the current 2021-22 year. Over recent weeks, SQA has sought the views of learners, teachers, lecturers, parents and carers, as well as SQA’s Advisory Council, to consider whether these modifications should continue for 2022-23. Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive and Scotland’s Chief Examiner, said: “We recognise the ongoing disruption to teaching and learning that young people across Scotland have experienced since the start of the pandemic. “After careful consideration, and having reflected on the feedback we received, we can confirm that the current modifications to assessment will remain in place for 2022-23. The effects of the disruption will not go away after the summer break. Carrying the assessment modifications forward into the new academic year will help to provide some certainty for learners, teachers and lecturers and help free up more time for learning and teaching of the course content, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of their qualifications.” SQA has also confirmed that the current alternative assessment approaches to its Higher National and Vocational Qualifications (HNVQ) will continue for 2022-23. SQA is working with its partners on the National Qualifications Steering Group on the assessment arrangements that will be put in place for 2022-23 and will continue to engage with teachers, lecturers, learners, and parents/carers. 101229 447 28-APR-2022 Thu, 28 Apr 2022 11:56:18 +0000 UPDATED Exams get underway for learners across Scotland School pupils and college students across Scotland are preparing to sit their Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) National 5, Higher and Advanced Highers this week as the first exams in three years get underway. newslogo.jpg Exams get underway for learners across Scotland 25 April 2022 2021-22 Monday 25 April 2022 School pupils and college students across Scotland are preparing to sit their Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) National 5, Higher and Advanced Highers this week as the first exams in three years get underway. The exam period begins tomorrow, Tuesday 26 April, and concludes on Wednesday 1 June. More than 128,000 candidates will sit formal assessments over the five-week period, and for most, it will be their first time sitting national exams. SQA has despatched over two million question papers to more than five hundred schools, colleges, and training providers that are being used as exam venues. SQA exams will also be held in the United States of America, Croatia, Israel and The Netherlands, as special arrangements have been put in place to accommodate candidates who are representing their country at the time of their exams. In addition, many learners will be in the final stages of completing National 1 to National 4 qualifications, SQA Awards, Skills for Work courses, National Progression Awards and National Certificates that are continually-assessed throughout the year. These form part of a broad offering of qualifications, which support learners to progress into employment, training, further and higher education. In total, more than 142,000 candidates are expected to get their results on Tuesday 9 August. Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, said: “I wish all learners the very best as they prepare to sit their exams and complete their assessments, and take their opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and what they can do. I commend them for their hard work and resilience in the face of the many challenges presented by the pandemic. “I also pay tribute to the professionalism of Scotland’s teachers and lecturers and their commitment to learners across the country. Their work, and that of their colleagues, plays a vital role in enabling our young people to achieve qualifications they deserve. “Our learners are also being supported by the efforts of around 15,000 appointees, many of whom are in the teaching profession, and work tirelessly with us throughout the year, to set, invigilate, mark and quality assure exam scripts and assessments. They all play their part to ensure our learners’ hard work and commitment is recognised and valued, standing them in good stead for their next stage of education or working life.” SQA, alongside Education Scotland, local authorities, schools and colleges, has provided a range of support for learners this year to take into account the impact of the pandemic on learning and teaching, while maintaining the integrity, credibility and standard of qualifications. This includes a range of support for learners available on the SQA website, including a ‘Your Exams’ Guide which was given out via schools and colleges and gives learners an insight into what to expect over the exam period. Learners can also download SQA’s MyStudyPlan app to help them make the most of their revision time. While learners will receive their results by post on Tuesday 9 August, there is still time for them to register for a MySQA account to receive their results by text and/or email on Results Day. Learners should log onto MySQA and register for the service with their unique Scottish Candidate Number by 5pm on Wednesday 20 July. 101189 447 25-APR-2022 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:43:18 +0000 UPDATED
