Arrangements for National 3 and National 4 in session 2020-21
01-MAR-2021
National 3
We are not making any modifications to the National 3 Gàidhlig assessments in session 2020-21.
National 4 - assessment of added value units
SQA has been reviewing its approach to assessment in National 4 courses in response to feedback from teachers and lecturers, and to support schools, colleges, and training providers to manage assessment where it has been impacted by disruption to learning and the ongoing restrictions associated with COVID-19.
We have decided that candidates will not be required to complete National 4 added value units in session 2020-21. This decision is supported by the National Qualifications 2021 Group. Removing the mandatory requirement to complete the added value unit will help to free up more time for learning and teaching and for assessing other units in National 4 courses, where this is needed.
To achieve the overall course award for National 4 this session, candidates must pass all contributing units in the National 4 course. Teachers and lecturers will still need to submit a 'pass' result for the added value unit to ensure candidates are certificated for the course award, however this does not need to be evidence-based.
While there is no requirement to gather evidence for the added value unit this session, it is still important that candidates have opportunities to develop and demonstrate the required skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course that are outlined in the National 4 added value unit specification, where possible. This will support candidates as they progress to further learning and assessment at SCQF level 5.
The following freestanding units were previously part of a course.
Please note these units no longer contribute to the achievement of a National Course.
Unit assessment support packages (UASPs) for freestanding units
UASPs are available on SQA's secure website. Please contact your SQA co-ordinator to access them. Multiple packs are available at each level, and each pack contains:
unit assessment tasks
approaches to gathering evidence
judging evidence against outcomes and assessment standards.
Alongside further information on the particular unit(s).