National 4 and National 5 Biology

Assessment Arrangements The Biology course consists of 3 units: Life On Earth Cell Biology Multicellular Organisms

Requirements for achieving National 5 All three unit tests passed at National 5.(Life On Earth, Cell Biology and Multicellular organisms) Learning Outcome 1 - Experimental report Learning Outcome 2.2/2.3 - Short research report on an aspect of Biology Course Assignment (which counts for 20% of final grade) – It is in the form of an extended research project which is externally marked by the SQA.(Exam board) Final external exam in May

Requirements for achieving National 4 All three unit tests passed at National 4.(Life On Earth, Cell Biology, Multicellular Organisms) Learning Outcome 1 – Experimental report Learning Outcome 2.2/2.3 - Short research report on an aspect of Biology Added Value Unit – which is in the form of an Internally assessed research project. National 4 is assessed as Pass or Fail.

Unit Assessments These are tests which are completed in class under exam conditions. Pupils will be asked a set of questions for each of the three units testing ‘Key Areas’(their knowledge) and ‘Problem Solving’. At least half the responses to ‘Key Areas’ questions must be correct in order to achieve a pass. There are 4 different types of ‘Problem Solving’ questions – 1. Selecting information, 2. Processing information 3. Analysing information 4. Predicting information

Learning Outcome 1Experimental Report Pupils given multiple opportunities throughout the course to complete this learning outcome. A ‘candidates guide’ which is in your pack is issued to help pupils structure their report. Each subsection of the report must be passed, however this can be achieved over the multiple opportunities provided. This will be subjected to external verification by the SQA.

Short research report LO (2.2 / 2.3)  Pupils have to research a key area of Biology and produce a short report  They will be given multiple opportunities to complete this through the course.  ‘Candidate Guide’ provided  The report is subject to external verification by the SQA.

Course Assignment (N5) Added Value Unit (N4) Topic chosen from given list Estimated 6 hours research National 5 final report –20% of the final grade. –Produced under exam conditions –Report is sent away to SQA National 4 final report –internally marked –external verification ‘Candidate Guide’ provided ( to help pupils structure report) Assignment information:

National 5 External Exam 2 hour exam paper worth 100 marks. Section A 20 marks multiple-choice Section B 80 marks extended questions Final mark 20% course assignment 80% final exam Graded A to D Specimen paper:

How can you help?? Short research task (LO2.2/2.3) – Biology issue and effects on environment Course Assignment N5 and Added Value Unit N4 Research assistance Preparation for writing the final report

Work steadily throughout the year and you won’t need luck in the final exam.