2. New Advanced Higher Subject Implementation Events
Geography:
Advanced Higher Course Assessment
Describe the purpose of this part of the programme –i.e. to provide an opportunity to discuss the Course assessment for Advanced Higher Courses.
Key points:
Repeat from morning session the key
Reduce the amount of assessmenmt
Reduce the duplication in assessmenmt
Show relationship between the key part of the course.
There has been change but it has been measured and focussed.

3. Course Assessment at Advanced Higher
Course Assessment at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher assesses Added Value
Courses at Advanced Higher are normally assessed by one or two Components
For Geography there are 2 Components – a Question Paper and a Project (folio)- Study + Issue.
Courses at Advanced Higher are graded A – D, as at present
Controlled Assessment of setting, conducting and marking
Consider issues arising from external assessment reports
No dual running at Advanced Higher in session
Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher – assess Added Value
Added value – is not a new concept – it was used in the Course assessment of National Courses at Intermediate 1 and above and in the new National 5 Courses. In the new Courses, added value is described in Course Specifications and Course Assessment Specifications.
Higher – Course assessment at Advanced Higher (as at Higher and National 5) is normally based on two of the seven agreed assessment methods. For Advanced Higher Modern Studies these are:
Question Paper and a Project, with findings presented in a dissertation
This provides the basis for grading. Courses at Advanced Higher will be graded A – D, as at present
Arrangement for setting, conducting and marking as described in terms of Controlled Assessment. Both the Question Paper and the dissertation will be submitted to the SQA for marking.
So, structurally things will not change markedly.
External assessment reports [insert content here]
Dual running of Higher was brought in only at that level. There has never been a plan to run Advanced Higher in both formats.

4. Project
The Project will be worth 100 marks and consist of two sections:
Project: Folio Section A: Geographical Study — a detailed study based on geographical research – 3000 words – 60 marks
Project: Folio Section B: Geographical Issue — a critical evaluation of an issue from a geographical perspective – 1300 words – 40 marks
Criteria marking
Reasonable assistance
Structure for Project very similar to current.
Project is seen as a high value element of Advanced Higher by universities. Considerable input in the development from HEIs – at least five universities in Scotland gave advice and guidance. (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Edinburgh, Stirling and UWS)
Section A: Geographical Study
The word range for the completed Geographical Study should be between 2000 and 3000 words in length (excluding any text used on front covers, list of contents, annotations to any illustrations, references, bibliography, appendices). The word count should be submitted with the project
(Study). If the word count exceeds 10%, a penalty will be applied
Section B: Geographical Issue
The word range for the completed Geographical Issue should be between 800 and 1300 words in length (excluding any text used on front covers, list of contents, annotations to any illustrations, references, bibliography, appendices). The word count should be submitted with the project (Issue). If the word count exceeds 10%, a penalty will be applied
Marking instructions based on clear descriptions of skills
Skill definitions and requirements aligned across Unit Assessment Support Packs, Question Paper and Coursework
Question Paper command words/phrases focus on specific skills, as appropriate
Marking instructions in greater detail, but space left for marker/PA judgement
Reasonable assistance follows basically the same guidelines as at present…

5. Reasonable Assistance
Project
Reasonable Assistance
Assessors should provide reasonable guidance on the types of study and issue which will enable candidates to meet all the requirements of this project (folio). They may also guide candidates as to the likely availability and accessibility of resources for their chosen study and issue.
Candidates should work on their research with minimum support from the assessor.
This is a continuation of the support you currently give at this level.
The research, the thinking, the judgements, the presentation of ideas must be the candidate’s own work.
You can support the candidate in their choice, advising on resource availability and advising on initial drafts.
This text will be inserted into the revised documentation.
From: AH Geography. Project - folio: General assessment information

6. Advanced Higher Study Criteria
Project: Folio Section A: Geographical Study
The candidate is required to demonstrate the ability to undertake detailed research of a geographical nature which uses primary and/or secondary sources, to gather and process data and which reports findings appropriately.

7. Advanced Higher Study Criteria
In order to complete Geographical Study candidates will:
Justify the choice of a complex geographical topic to research
Plan and carry out detailed research, which could include fieldwork
Evaluate the research techniques and the reliability of data gathered.
Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic being studied from wider reading
Use a wide range of appropriate techniques to process the gathered information
Analyse all the information that has been gathered and processed to identify and explain relationships.
Reach reasoned conclusions supported by a wide range of evidence
Need here to briefly go through the criteria. Demonstrate the clear and logicl flow of each criteria onto the next.
Stress the links to the Unit Skills using the Relationship grid and how they differ – added value
No need here to go into any depth about each .
Planning
Research/gathering
Processing
Analysis/Reaching a conclusion

8. Advanced Higher Study Criteria
Project: Folio Section B: Geographical Issues
The candidate is required to demonstrate the ability to carry out a critical evaluation of a current complex geographical issue by identifying viewpoints, from a wide range of sources, about the issue and evaluating these viewpoints in a way that allows valid conclusions to be drawn.

9. Advanced Higher Issues Criteria
 In order to complete a Geographical Issue candidates will:
Justify the choice of a current complex geographical issue to critically evaluate
Undertake wider background reading from a wide range of sources relating to the geographical issue.
Summarise a wide range of viewpoints on the complex geographical issue.
Critically evaluate each of the viewpoints.
Reach reasoned conclusions supported by a wide range of evidence
Need here to briefly go through the criteria. Demonstrate the clear and logical flow of each criteria onto the next.
Stress the links to the Unit Skills using the Relationship grid and how they differ – added value
No need here to go into any depth about each .
Planning
Research/gathering
Processing
Analysis/Reaching a conclusion

10. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Builds on current paper
Duration: 2 hours 30 mins
50 marks
Three skill areas
Map Interpretation (20 marks)
Gathering and Processing techniques (10 marks)
Geographical Data Handling (20 marks)
Revised command words
No optional questions – candidates answer all questions.
Stress the similarities with existing
Building on Unit skills + opportunity for candidates to show learning related to Project
Reduced duplication – removal of minimum competence skills.

11. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Map Interpretation 20 marks
Questions will assess mapping skills techniques and the ability to use map evidence to support a response. Candidates will use a 1:25000 scale Ordnance Survey map and other supplementary items.
Questions will draw on the skills, knowledge and understanding described in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section.
Map interpretation: the candidate will be expected to demonstrate mapping skills techniques through their ability to use evidence from maps and other supplementary items to support a response.. 1:25000 scale Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer Series topographical sheets of England and Wales will be used. Although assessing the skills of map interpretation, it is anticipated candidates will apply prior knowledge of map reading and interpretation to these questions.e.g use of scale, drawing to scale, interpretation of relief and surface features etc.. This will also include grid references and reference to features symbolised on the map.
In addition to the OS map, supplementary items will be provided in the form of one or more of the following: maps or map based diagrams, photographs, sketches, graphical information or outline drawings or drawings based on photographs, data tables and written text about the area.
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

12. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Gathering and Processing Techniques 10 marks
Questions will assess knowledge and understanding of gathering and processing techniques in the context of research/fieldwork, and the analysis/evaluation of data which might be obtained as a result of using those techniques. Questions may use the supplementary items supplied with the question paper.
(Candidates will not be asked to carry out calculations or complete tables of data in the question paper. These are assessed at Unit level and in the project)
Gathering and Processing Techniques: the candidate will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of gathering and processing techniques in the context of research/fieldwork, and the analysis/evaluation of data which might be obtained as a result of using those techniques. Questions may use the supplementary items supplied with the question paper.
(Candidates will not be asked to carry out calculations or complete tables of data in the question paper. These are assessed at Unit level and in the project)
The question paper will sample from the following skills and techniques:
Physical
Vegetation Analysis
Slope analysis
Stream analysis
Soil analysis
Pebble analysis
Beach profile analysis
Micro-climate analysis
Human
Rural land use mapping
Urban land use mapping
Traffic survey
Pedestrian survey
Environmental quality survey
Questionnaire design and implementation
Interview design and implementation
Perception studies
Questions will draw on the skills, knowledge and understanding described in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section.
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

13. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Geographical Data Handling 20 marks
Questions will assess the interpretation and analysis of a given set of data, including statistical data, to evaluate techniques used and their effectiveness in explaining geographical relationships. Questions will use the supplementary items supplied with the question paper..
Questions will draw on the skills, knowledge and understanding described in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section.
The question paper will sample from the following skills and techniques:
handling different data types — nominal, ordinal, interval,
Sampling Methods – random, regular, stratified
Graphical presentation of data - systems diagrams, Logarithmic graph ,Kite diagram, scattergraphs, Polar graph, Triangular graph, dispersion diagrams, bipolar analysis, map or map based diagram e.g. choropleth, proportional symbols , dot, flow line, sphere of influence, isoline cross-section, transect, annotated overlay.
Descriptive statistics — measures of central tendency — mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range, standard deviation, standard error of the mean, coefficient of variation
measures of dispersion — standard deviation
Inferential statistical testing: chi squared, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, linear regression, nearest neighbour
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

14. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
The questions or sub-questions will cover the three skill areas along with accompanying supplementary items.
Questions within the paper may focus on one particular skill area or they may integrate more than one skill area.
Use of an Atlas
An atlas must be provided by the centre for each learner for use in the examination. It should be suitable for use at SCQF level 7 and be of a general type (ie not devoted to one region or purely thematic). An atlas is a very valuable resource and will help candidates locate the OS map extract in its broader setting and provide thematic information for questions. Centres are responsible for ensuring that atlases used are clean copies and contain no additional material.
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

15. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
An atlas must be provided by the centre for each learner for use in the examination. It should be suitable for use at SCQF level 7 and be of a general type (ie not devoted to one region or purely thematic).
Use of an Atlas
An atlas must be provided by the centre for each learner for use in the examination. It should be suitable for use at SCQF level 7 and be of a general type (ie not devoted to one region or purely thematic). An atlas is a very valuable resource and will help candidates locate the OS map extract in its broader setting and provide thematic information for questions. Centres are responsible for ensuring that atlases used are clean copies and contain no additional material.
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

16. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Duration: 2 hours 30 mins
50 marks
Three skill areas
Map Interpretation (20 marks)
Gathering and Processing techniques (10 marks)
Geographical Data Handling (20 marks)
Use of an Atlas
An atlas must be provided by the centre for each learner for use in the examination. It should be suitable for use at SCQF level 7 and be of a general type (ie not devoted to one region or purely thematic). An atlas is a very valuable resource and will help candidates locate the OS map extract in its broader setting and provide thematic information for questions. Centres are responsible for ensuring that atlases used are clean copies and contain no additional material.
From: AH Geography. Course Assessment Specification

17. Advanced Higher – Question Paper
Question Paper Skills Areas
Map Interpretation
20 marks
Gathering and Processing Techniques 10 marks
Geographical Data Handling
SQP
Map Interpretation Overlays
Gathering and Processing Techniques
Geographical Data Handling Supplementary Items
OS Map shared between these two skill areas
EQP
Map Interpretation OS Map Overlays
Gathering and Processing Techniques
Geographical Data Handling Supplementary Item
The following exemplifies other ways the question paper may be arranged.
Map Interpretation
OS Map
Overlay item
Gathering and Processing Techniques
Geographical Data Handling
Supplementary Items shared between these skill areas
Map Interpretation + Gathering and Processing Techniques
Two skill areas integrated and Supplementary Items shared e.g. OS Map, Overlays, Supplementary Item
Geographical Data Handling Supplementary Item

18. Workshop 2 Course Assessment
Using the materials provided, in small groups of 2-3, discuss:
Identify subject-specific topics for discussion
Workshop Aims
To understand the requirements of Advanced Higher Course Assessments
Relationship between Outcomes/Assessment Standards and Project/Question Paper
Using the materials provided, in small groups of 2-3, discuss:
The links between the Unit, Question Paper and Project(Study)+(Issue) marking grids
The detail within the Course Assessment Specification
 Further mandatory information on Course coverage
As in Workshop 1, you have considerable licence this year to tailor your activity to cover issues that might arise out of new forms of course assessment, significant changes to content etc – anticipate the needs of your audience here. Also remember that some colleagues will have read the documents very thoroughly, while others might, because they are presenting for the old Higher this year, not be as fully versed in SQA documentation. processes and approaches. Worthwhile stressing as we did in the AH update letter that it is important to be aware of the contents of the suite of AH documents, not just one or two.