1. Modern studies higher
Question Stems

2. What are the different question stems?
Evaluate – This question will be worth 12 marks
Analyse – This question will be worth 12 marks
To what extent – This will question will be worth 20 marks
Discuss - This will question will be worth 20 marks
What are the different question stems?

3. Knowledge and understanding – always worth a Maximum of 8 marks
Description
Explanation
Exemplification
Knowledge and understanding – always worth a Maximum of 8 marks

4. SQAs definition – Candidates will make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of something
Choice of two questions in the final exam
Candidates in this question will use their Knowledge and Understanding to answer the question and can be awarded up to 8 marks for this
The final 4 marks come from evaluative comments that the candidate makes
Evaluative comments are where candidates draw relevant conclusions and/or make relevant judgements about an issue
A maximum of 6 marks can be awarded for any one developed point
evaluate

5. Evaluate question Leave around 25-30 minutes for this question
No need for an introduction
One approach would be to have:
3 to 4 paragraphs plus a conclusion
Each paragraph would contain: Relevant and detailed KU, balance where appropriate and at least one evaluative comment per paragraph
An overall balanced conclusion which would make several evaluative comments
REMEMBER – KU IS WORTH 8 MARKS AND EVLAUTIVE COMMENTS ARE WORTH 4 MARKS
Evaluate question

6. ANALYSE Choice of two questions
Leave around minutes for this question
No need for an introduction
4 paragraphs
A maximum of 6 marks per developed point
In each paragraph candidates should describe/explain a relevant point and then provide a link to this issue which allows for analysis
For example, candidates could describe/explain an economic inequality facing females and then analyse what the government has done to tackle this
Candidates are not required to make a judgement or draw conclusions on the issue they are analysing
ANALYSE

7. Candidates will be asked to identify links between different factors relating to an issue they have studied
The key to this question is being able to clearly and correctly identify links within a relevant issue
Candidates in this question will use their Knowledge and Understanding to answer the question and can be awarded up to 8 marks for this
The final 4 marks come from analysis that the candidate makes
Marks for analysis could be achieved by looking at the consequences of something, links between things, similarities/contradictions between aspects of an issue, alternative viewpoints and so on
analyse

8. To what extent/discuss
Worth 20 marks
Candidates in this question will use their Knowledge and Understanding to answer the question and can be awarded up to 8 marks for this
12 marks come from analysis and evaluative comments that the candidate makes
This question is simply bringing the evaluative and analyse question from earlier in the paper together
Maximum 6 marks per developed point
Marks for structure/coherence of argument – up to 2 marks for this
To what extent/discuss

9. To what extent/discuss
Spend 45 minutes on this essay
5 to 6 paragraphs plus an overall conclusion
Both of these questions are very similar
However there will be a choice to do either the ‘to what extent’ or the ‘discuss’ question
Each paragraph candidates should: include detailed and relevant KU, make links/examine consequences etc which will allow for analysis and draw conclusions and make judgements which will allow for effective evaluation
Conclusions
For the ‘to what extent’ question candidates should make a judgement with regards the extent to which the view is accurate with a clear and detailed justification for this
For the ‘discuss’ question, candidates should make a judgement about how accurate the statement is with a clear and detailed justification for this
To what extent/discuss

10. Potential exam questions - evaluate
Evaluate the effectiveness of an electoral system you have studied in providing fair representation
3 to 4 paragraphs plus a conclusion
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which shows a knowledge of the features of the electoral system
They would also be expected to be able to make judgements about how these features provide/don’t provide fair representation
They would then need to finish with an overall conclusion about whether or not the system they have chosen offers fair representation offering some balance in the process
Potential exam questions - evaluate

11. Potential exam questions - evaluate
Evaluate the effectiveness of parliamentary representatives in holding the government to account
3 to 4 paragraphs plus a conclusion
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which shows a knowledge of the ways in which MSPs/MPs/Peers can hold the government to account
They would also be expected to be able to make judgements about how effective these ways are in holding the government to account
They would then need to finish with an overall conclusion about whether or not parliamentary representatives can effectively hold the government to account
Potential exam questions - evaluate

12. Potential exam questions - analyse
Analyse government policies to tackle inequalities that affect a group in society
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which identifies an inequality and how it affects a group they have studied (e.g gender, ethnic minorities, different social classes)
The candidate would then show the relationship between the inequality the group suffers from and a government policy that deals with this inequality(including balance where appropriate)
They can illustrate the relationship by writing about the affects of the policy on the group they have studied
Potential exam questions - analyse

13. Potential exam questions - analyse
Analyse the different lifestyle choices that may result in poor health
Choose three to four lifestyle choices to analyse
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which identifies a lifestyle choice that people in society make and gives evidence to support this
The candidate would then show the relationship between the lifestyle choice and the effect it has on poor health (including balance where appropriate)
They can illustrate the relationship by writing about the consequences of the lifestyle choice (they could use statistics, case studies, reports, government responses to the problem to help with this)
Potential exam questions - analyse

14. Potential exam questions – to what extent
To what extent does a world power you have studied have influence in international relations
5 to 6 paragraphs plus an overall conclusion
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which shows how a world power (e.g USA) has influence in international organisations and/or on individual countries around the world
The candidate would then show the implications/consequences of this influence (including balance where appropriate)
Candidates should also make a judgement on the level of influence the country in question has (big influence, growing influence, positive influence, negative influence etc)
An overall conclusion which makes a judgement on the question as a whole ensuring the ‘to what extent’ part of the question is dealt with
Potential exam questions – to what extent

15. Potential exam questions – discuss
International organisations have been successful in resolving a significant world issue. Discuss
5 to 6 paragraphs plus an overall conclusion
The candidate would be expected to provide detailed KU which clearly shows a key feature of the world issue they have studied
The candidate would then show the implications/consequences of international organisations’ responses to this key feature of the issue (including balance where appropriate)
Candidates should also make a judgement on how successful international organisations have been in responding to the key feature of the issue they have raised
An overall conclusion which makes a judgement on the accuracy of the statement in the question
Potential exam questions – discuss

16. Objectivity question 8 marks in total
3 marks for a singled developed point
Credit for linking within and between sources
All sources must be used for full marks to be obtained
Include 3/4 paragraphs which support and oppose the view in the question
A final paragraph on how accurate the statement is overall is required (worth up to 2 marks)
If an overall judgement is not made on how accurate the statement is then a maximum of 6 marks can be obtained
Candidates must include evaluative commentary on their evidence/arguments to gain full marks
Objectivity question

17. Conclusions 8 marks in total 3 marks for a singled developed point
Credit for linking within and between sources
All sources must be used for full marks to be obtained
Three conclusions are required
Make a conclusion on each of the bullet points in the question (there will be two bullet points to deal with)
Make an overall conclusion using the prompt in the question.
Each conclusion should be fully justified using the evidence from the sources available
Candidates must include evaluative commentary on their evidence/arguments
Conclusions