Consultation outcomes - National Qualifications in 2020/21

Consultation on proposed modifications to course assessments

This report provides an analysis of responses to the technical consultation on proposed modifications to National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher course assessments in session 2020–21.

As part of our consultation, we also invited comment on issues of equality and accessibility.

Consultation on contingency arrangements for the exam timetable

This report provides an analysis of responses to SQA’s consultation on contingency arrangements for the 2021 examination timetable of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.

Arrangements for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

Following the announcement by the Deputy First Minister on 7 October 2020, there will be no external assessment of National 5 courses in session 2020–21. We are working with stakeholders on an alternative certification model for National 5 that is based on teacher and lecturer estimates. Details of the modifications we had previously intended to make to the National 5 course assessments are included in the technical consultation report as a point of reference.

Higher and Advanced Higher exams are still planned for 2021 and this will remain under review. For further detail of the modifications to Higher and Advanced Higher course assessments for each subject, and rationales for the decisions made, please see the relevant National Course subject pages.