Understanding Standards: Advanced Higher Course Event Principal Assessor (PA) Advanced Higher Latin

Aims of the Event To support teachers, lecturers and assessors in their understanding of national standards for Advanced Higher by: Sharing general updates Reviewing the Advanced Higher Course structure Sharing Verification Key Messages and Course Reports for 2015/16 Considering candidate evidence from Course Assessment: Literary Appreciation, Translating and Dissertation Discussing candidate evidence and associated Marking Instructions with colleagues Providing an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about national standards

2016/17 Updates Verification update and Key Messages for 2015/16 published Course Reports for 2016 diet published Reminder revised Higher prescribed text

Updates applicable beyond session 16/17 Current mandatory units for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher would no longer form part of the requirement of the Course. Removal will be progressive over sessions 17/18, 18/19, 19/20. SQA will also retain the units of the Courses as free standing units for learners who wish to take and be certificated for these. suspension of the random sample element of unit verification, currently in place in session 16/17, would be extended to 2017/18

SCQF level 7 32 SCQF credit points Advanced Higher - Skills Understanding, analysing and evaluating texts in Latin and translated into English Translating skills, including developing advanced knowledge and understanding of accidence, syntax, literary styles and nuances Developing advanced knowledge and understanding of literary techniques and Roman culture Other course aims include: develop, to an advanced level, language skills in order to translate unseen verse and prose passages into English develop knowledge of a wide range of Latin vocabulary further develop language acquisition skills explore the interconnected nature of languages SCQF level 7 32 SCQF credit points

Course Structure: Unit Assessments The course is made up of three Units understanding, analysing and evaluating texts Literary Appreciation planning, research and presentation of findings Project translation of complex, unseen texts Translating Internally assessed Sample centrally verified by SQA (Nominee verifiers)

Literary Appreciation Understanding, analysing and evaluating Course Structure: Course Assessment 1h30min, 60 marks Paper 1 Literary Appreciation Understanding, analysing and evaluating Choice between sections 1 and 2 (verse or prose) Marks given for: understanding main ideas/themes analysing and evaluating literary techniques knowledge and understanding of Roman culture communicating critical response to chosen text

Course Structure: Course Assessment 1hr, 50 marks Paper 2 Translating Translating 1 unseen text to translate into English (approx.140 -150 words) No dictionary but word list provided Marks given for: accuracy of translation and conveying the essential ideas

Course Structure: Course Assessments Dissertation (60 marks) Prepared internally, externally marked. 3000-4000 words long, should include word count. 10% beyond word count – penalty applies. Max. 20 marks awarded for each of three elements: content use of primary and secondary resources argument and analysis Range of marks 20-17, 16-13, 12-10, 9-6, 5-1, 0.

Verification Key Messages Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Verifier for Latin) Approach to Unit Assessments: Literary Appreciation and Translating Vast majority of centres used SQA UASPs. Some centres amended UASP questions/tasks to suit the needs of candidates. Most centres submitted very clear and well-organised packages: facilitates the verification process and assists in providing useful feedback to centres.

Verification Key Messages Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Verifier for Latin) Approach to Assessment in Units: Added Value Unit SQA AVU template followed Good evidence of understanding of requirements of the four Assessment Standards Encouraging to see personalisation and choice in selection of topics

Verification Key Messages Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Verifier for Latin) Assessment Judgements: Literary Appreciation and Translating Vast majority of centres applied judging evidence reliably and in line with national standards. Holistically, at least half of the passage should be translated properly for a ‘pass’. Acceptable to put numerical scores on candidates’ scripts in both Translating and Literary Appreciation. Amended Judging Evidence / ‘centre-devised’ marking schemes.

Literary Appreciation Course Reports Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Assessor for Latin) Literary Appreciation On the whole candidates engaged well with the questions. Candidates were able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the prescribed texts.

Translating Course Reports Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Assessor for Latin) Translating The majority of candidates were well prepared and their performance was good. Candidates were able to engage with passage and demonstrate a good command of grammar and syntax.

Project-dissertation Course Reports Summary - 2015/16 (Principal Assessor for Latin) Project-dissertation Perhaps the most significant factor in determining success was the candidate’s choice of topic. Stronger project-dissertations those that were more targeted or had analytical titles.

Course Reports Summary – 2015/16 (Principal Assessor for Latin) Advice on General Preparation Literary Appreciation: A thorough knowledge of the prescribed texts is of prime importance as questions require an accurate grasp of detail. Continue to prepare candidates to answer questions on content, style and tone. Translating: Candidates must have a firm grasp of the prescribed grammar and syntax. Continue to practise translating complex passages. Project-dissertation: Candidates advised to choose their topic wisely and quote in Latin.

Number candidates (cumul.) 2016 Statistics – Advanced Higher Latin Grade Number candidates (cumul.) % % cumul. A 42 53.2 A-B 60 22.7 75.9 A-C 70 12.7 88.6 A-D 72 2.5 91.1 No award 7 8.9 100 Entries 79

Sources of Further Information Latin homepage for Subject updates and Review Report http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45663.html Exemplification http://www.understandingstandards.org.uk 2016 Statistical Information on National Qualifications and Awards http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/64717.html Latin Advanced Higher Verification Key Message Reports, Course Report http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/48455.html

Literary Appreciation Workshop 1 – approximately 1 hour Refer to Marking Instructions Discuss with colleagues and feedback after each piece of candidate evidence Literary Appreciation

Workshop 2 – approximately 1h20min Refer to Marking Instructions Discuss with colleagues and feedback after each piece of candidate evidence Translating

Project - Dissertation Workshop 3 – approximately 1 hour Refer to Marking Instructions Discuss with colleagues and feedback after each piece of candidate evidence Project - Dissertation

SQA Marker Opportunities Marker applications are encouraged from new Markers who would like to join a marking team for 2017 Nat 5 / Higher / Advanced Higher opportunities SQA’s new eRecruiter system, where applications may be submitted, is available online: https://appointeeopportunities.sqa.org.uk

SQA Marker Opportunities Marker applications are encouraged from new Markers who would like to join a marking team for 2017 Nat 5 / Higher / Advanced Higher opportunities SQA’s new eRecruiter system, where applications may be submitted, is available online: https://appointeeopportunities.sqa.org.uk

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