1. New National Qualifications in
Scotland
NPFS Conference
October 2013
Dr John Allan/Jacqui Hill

2. What to look out for - October 2013
to August 2014
Publication of Specimen Question Papers for Higher
Publication of coursework general information for Higher
Publication of Higher Unit assessments
Publication of Higher coursework tasks
First certification of new National 1 to National 5 Units
and Courses
 Certification of current Access, Intermediate, Higher and
Advanced Higher Courses
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3. Qualifications: continuity and
change
♦ In Scotland the development of qualifications
over the past 40 years has supported social
economic progress,equality and democratisation
♦ The new Qualifications build on the strengths of
previous Qualifications
♦ The new Qualifications support Curriculum for
Excellence aims, values and purposes

4. Why qualifications?
The new Qualifications have been design to:
♦Support learning
♦Support personal choice
♦Support social justice and equality
♦Develop subject based skills, knowledge,
understanding
♦Develop skills for learning, life and work
♦Provide the key to further study and employment
♦Maintain high standards, integrity and relevance

5. Current Qualifications
Replaced
by
New Qualifications
Advanced Higher
(Revised)
Higher
(Revised)
National 5
National 4
National 3
National 2
National 1

6. Relationship between Curriculum
experiences and outcomes and
Qualifications
Continues to 12
4
3
2
1
≈
4
3
2
1

7. Open and transparent processes
Mandatory publications
 Unit Specifications
 Course Specifications
 Course Assessment Specifications
Guidance and support publications
 Course Support Notes
 Unit Support Notes
 Specimen Question Papers

8. What to look out for - September 2014 to
August 2016
2014/15
♦ Publication of Assessment Support for
Advanced Higher
♦ First certification of new Higher
♦ Last certification of Access, Intermediates,
‘old’ Higher and Advanced Higher
2015/16
♦ First certification of new Advanced Higher

9. Keeping informed and getting
involved
 More information
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58062.html
http://www.youtube.com/user/SQAonline
 MyAlerts
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/34808.html
 Have your say
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42227.html

10. Questions?