National Tests

Based on the 5-14 Curriculum in Literacy and Numeracy, National Tests may be taken at any stage. Level A is the easiest and is sat near the start of the child's school career. Level F is the hardest and is usually sat in the second year of secondary school (S2). It is designed so that only about 20% of students are expected to achieve Level F by the end of S2. All, however, should achieve Level D or E.

Standard Grades

These exams are usually sat in the fourth year of secondary school (S4), when students are 16, after a two-year course. They are available in all the traditional subjects as well as more modern and vocational areas. Assessment is by a combination of examinations and coursework.

There are seven levels of award: 1 or 2 is a Credit, 3 or 4 is a General, 5 and 6 is a Foundation and 7 is a pass. All students sit the General paper. Each student then also sits either the Credit paper or the Foundation paper, depending on ability.

National Units and National Courses

These are usually taken by students over 16, although some subjects such as RE, Work Experience and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) are sat by students in S3 and S4. Each National Course takes around 40 hours to complete and is marked on the basis of coursework, projects or assignments, plus an exam. The exams cover everything that has been studied in the units.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority website contains further useful information: www.sqa.org.uk.

Based on an article by Lorna Smith

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