Changes to assessment National 5 Technical Subjects

Short presentation Discussion Review specimen material

Introduction Units removed from National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.

Time schedule: National 5 from 2017–18 Higher from 2018–19 Advanced Higher from 2019–20

Following the removal of units and unit assessments, course assessments are to be strengthened to ensure they assess the full content of the course.

The goal: to reduce the volume of assessment, while maintaining the standards and integrity of National Qualifications

How will this be achieved: For each course, one or more of the following changes will be made to the course assessment: extend the existing question paper extend the existing item of coursework introduce a new question paper component introduce a new coursework component

Important things to note: Dual-entry at National 4 and National 5 is not allowed. Candidates can be entered for the free-standing SCQF level 5 units in addition to the National 4 course. Grade D will be extended from a notional 45–49% to a notional 40–49%. This move is intended to recognise the achievement of candidates who are aspiring to attain a National 5 course, but who do not perform as well as predicted in the course assessment. It will provide opportunities for candidates who do not achieve grades A to C to have their achievement recognised and to be certificated for the level of qualification for which they were entered.

How this effects technical subjects

National 5 Design & Manufacture The existing assignment will be extended and split into two separate assignments: Assignment 1 (Design), which will be externally assessed by SQA Assignment 2 (Manufacture), which will be marked internally by centres and subject to visiting verification by SQA. The question paper will be extended and restructured to include more questions and the number of available marks will increase from 60 marks to 80 marks. The duration of the exam will therefore also increase.

National 5 Design & Manufacture Comparison Old structure The course assessment has 2 components: Component 1 Assignment Design - 45 marks (30%) Practical - 45 marks (30%) Total marks for assignment = 90 marks (60%) Component 2 Question paper - 60 marks (40%) Time - 1 hour 30 minutes Total = 150 marks New structure The course assessment has three components. Component 1 Question paper - 80 marks (44%) - 1 hour and 45 minutes Externally marked Component 2 Assignment — design 55 marks (31%) Component 3 Assignment — practical 45 marks (25%) Internally marked but subject to SQA verification Total = 180 marks

National 5 Design & Manufacture Assessment conditions: The assignment is set annually by the SQA. The design part of the assignment will be sent away for external marking. The practical activity will be internally marked and subject to SQA verification. The time taken to complete the assignment is not fixed.

National 5 Graphic Communication All assessment is now externally assessed. The question paper is being extended to ensure it samples a greater amount of course content, following the removal of units. Moving to the external assessment of the assignment will address issues relating to the reliability of marking. The weighting of the question paper and coursework has been adjusted to enhance the reliability of the course assessment The assignment is now “closed book” and must be completed within 8 hours

National 5 Graphic Communication Comparison Old structure The course assessment has two components: Component 1 Question paper – 60 marks (50%) Component 2 Assignment – 60 marks (50 %) Total 120 marks New structure The course assessment has two components. Component 1 Question paper - 80 marks (67%) - 2 hours Externally marked Component 2 Assignment - 40 marks (33%) Externally marked. Total marks = 120

National 5 Graphic Communication Assessment conditions: The assignment is set annually by the SQA. The assignment is carried out over 8 hours. This is a closed book assessment. The assignment must be carried out without interruption by periods of learning and teaching.

National 5 Practical Woodworking A question paper has now been added to the assessment When completing the practical activity, a log book must be kept and is used as part of the assessment.

Practical Woodworking Comparison Old structure Component 1 – practical activity 100 marks, internally marked subject to SQA verification New structure Component 1 – question paper 60 marks -1 hour, externally marked Component 2 – practical activity 70 marks – internally marked subject to SQA verification.

National 5 Practical Woodworking Assessment conditions: The assignment is set annually by the SQA. The practical activity will be internally marked and subject to SQA verification. The time taken to complete the assignment is not fixed.

Support All pupils have been offered course notes book and past exam/model papers for a refundable deposit of £5 Support is available to all pupils, who work in class, every lunchtime Details of skills, knowledge and understanding that are assessed in the final exam will be issued to all pupils. A detailed preliminary exam study plan will be issued to all pupils. Websites: Technologystudent.com, SQA.org, inveralmondchs.org

N5 Graphic Communication Sample Revision topic 1 DTP The use of thumbnails and what they can be used for. The advantages of using DTP software to produce a graphic layout. Elements and principles DTP generic terms Revision topic 2 British Standards Use of scale Types of dimensioning Line types Title block Revision topic 3 2D and 3D CAD Modelling plans N5 Graphic Communication Prelim Revision Topics Modelling techniques (including assembly) 2D drawing and edit commands Advantages of 3D CAD illustrations Revision topic 4 The 3P’s Identification and uses of preliminary, production and promotional drawings. Revision topic 5 Orthographic Drawings Sectional drawings True shapes Surface Developments Revision topic 6 Construction drawings Types Symbols Common scales Revision topic 7 Pictorial drawings Recognition Advantages Revision topic 8 Visualisation Recognise components/assemblies in different views Revision topic 9 Impact on the environment Packaging Remote working Electronic v hard copy