ADES CAQ Meeting 17 January 2014 SQA Update Gill Stewart, Director, Qualifications Development Eric Martinez, Director, Operations

Supporting Schools – National 3-5 National CPD Events SQA / Local Authority Partnership to deliver. Initially focussed on priority areas. Identify past paper questions that can be used to help prepare for N5 exams -questions that can be used directly. -questions that can be adapted. Key messages from Verification Use of nominees by Local Authorities for CPD Subject Q&As – updated monthly Communication

Supporting Schools - Higher Higher Implementation Events Comparison between current & new Higher Publishing assessment materials - Unit assessment support packs - Specimen question papers - Coursework information

Key messages from Verification (Round 1) Use valid and reliable assessments -SQA-produced Unit Assessment Support Packs -Centre devised assessments that have been prior verified -Your own assessments – strongly advise you have these prior verified Making assessment judgements -SQA packs are designed on a pass/fail basis -Use Judging Evidence Tables to make assessment judgments against Assessment Standards -Judging Evidence Tables have commentary on how to meet each Assessment Standard -A task/activity can meet most or all of the Unit Outcome and Assessment Standards -Indicate on candidate’s work that Unit Assessment Standards have been met Unit Assessment complementing learning and teaching -Unit Assessment is open and flexible -Assessment should allow you space to prepare for Added Value/Course Assessment

Quality Assurance Round 1 verification complete Round 2 verification begun Release of Nominees Prior Verification

National Course Entries 2014 Summary Entry Data at 13 January 2014 LevelSQA Projections Entries at 06/01/14 % data received National 2N/A963 National 322,03010,207 National 4135,000101,881 National 5226,530244,237 Intermediate 131,31019,491 Intermediate 2122,750107,627 Higher186,850207,668 Advanced Higher 23,45024,713 TOTALS747,920716,78796%

Implementing the New Highers S QA National Qualifications typically available in schools: to DUAL RUNNING YEARSSESSION YEAR GROUP S4 New National 1 to National 5 S5 Current Higher, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 New National 1 to National 5 and Higher S6 Current Higher, Advanced Higher, and Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 New National 1 to National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Information on transition from National 5 to New Highers, areas of stability and change will be published at the end of January 2014

Key Operational Dates 2 December 2013 Verification Round 2 selections advised to schools 15 January 2014 Verification Round 2 materials uplift 10 FebruaryVisiting examination begins (until 16 May) 3 MarchVerification Round 3 selections advised to schools 31 MarchClosing date for withdrawals and change of course entry level End MarchVerification Round 2 key messages published 28 AprilVerification Round 3 materials uplift Closing date for Estimates 29 AprilExamination Diet begins

Key Operational Messages Please encourage schools to meet published activity time lines. These are vital to effective forward planning, resource deployment and certification Use your local Customer Support Manager to build links to SQA

Questions?