Higher

Course Outline

Higher offers progression from National 5 by allowing students to further develop their skills by adding a greater degree of detail and complexity to the course. It is generally expected that any student gaining an A or B grade at National 5 has developed the necessary knowledge and understanding to progress to Higher.

Higher offers learners opportunities to extend a wide range of skills and develop the ability to:

listen, talk, read and write in detail, as appropriate to purpose, audience and context.
understand, analyse and evaluate detailed and complex texts, as appropriate to purpose and audience in the contexts of literature, language and media.
create and produce detailed and complex texts, as appropriate to purpose, audience and context
plan and research, integrating and applying language skills as appropriate to purpose, audience and context.
apply detailed knowledge of language.

The Difference from National 5

Although the course structure is similar to National 5, there are several differences under the surface that make Higher a more challenging qualification.

The length and complexity of the texts studied on the course is increased. Students will generally be dealing with more complex and mature subject matter.
The level of awareness students are required to have about cultural and social issues both current and historical is increased. Successful candidates regularly read both complex fiction and non fiction texts in their own time.
Knowledge of complex language use and writer's techniques is required. This also best developed by regular reading of complex texts in the candidate's own time.
Candidates are no longer awarded marks for quoting from the texts studied, although knowledge of quotations is required. Candidates are instead awarded marks for the quality and depth of their analysis and the commentary they provide.

Course Assessment

Portfolio: (30% of final grade)
One piece of writing that is broadly discursive (1000 - 1200 words)
Example: Discursive Example Higher (PDF) [539KB] (opens new window)
One piece of writing that is broadly creative (1000 - 1200 words)
Example: Creative Example Higher (PDF) [377KB] (opens new window)
Pieces need to be typed onto the template provided by the SQA: template (Word doc) [29KB] (opens new window)

Please Note: All coursework must be completed to be sent to the SQA by the deadline given by the class teacher. A failure to do so would disqualify the student from sitting the exam and gaining a qualification in the subject at this level.

Exam: (70% of final grade)
Paper 1: Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation - Close Reading (30 marks)
Example: Higher Close Reading (PDF) [366KB] (opens new window)
Paper 2: Critical Reading
- Scottish Text (20 marks)
- Critical Essay (20 marks)
Example: Higher Critical Reading (PDF) [286KB] (opens new window)

There will be a Prelim Exam to allow students to practice writing under exam conditions and give an indication of their progress.

Homework and Study Support

Homework will form an essential part of the course. It is not possible for any student to cover every element of the course purely in class time. Every student is required to perform various tasks at home as part of the course. This work will either have an direct or indirect impact on their final grade.

More information on homework policies along with strategies for students and parents can be found here.