New Advanced Higher Subject Implementation Events Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

Advanced Higher Course Assessment

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

Courses at Advanced Higher are graded A – D, as at present

Controlled Assessment of setting, conducting and marking

For Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies there is 2 Components – a Question Paper and a Project

Different approaches for different subjects

Consider issues arising from external assessment reports

No dual running at Advanced Higher in session 2015-16

Advanced Higher - Question Paper The Question paper will be set and marked by SQA,

and conducted in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.

Learners will complete this in 2 hours. The Question Paper will be marked out of 60. The Question Paper has two sections -

Section 1: Philosophy of Religion

Section 2 will have two Parts:

- Part A Religious Experience

- Part B Medical Ethics

Advanced Higher - Question Paper Candidates will answer two questions, each

worth 30 marks. There will be optional questions – candidates will

select one question from a choice of two Both questions will come from the same sub-

section e.g. Atheism Mandatory content will be sampled Will assess the skills of analysing and evaluating

arguments and evidence and synthesizing information in

order to structure and sustain lines of argumentWill draw on in-depth knowledge and understanding

Advanced Higher - Question Paper

A limited range of command words/question stems will be used in the paper such as, for example:

To what extent present a

‘[statement]’ Discuss reasoned argument

Critically evaluate and conclusion

Greater clarity and support for centres in general marking principles and detailed marking instructions as to how these questions will be marked.

Advanced Higher – Project: Dissertation

The project: dissertation will be managed by centres within SQA guidelines and conducted under some supervision and control.

Evidence for assessment will be produced independently by the learner in time to meet a submission date set by SQA.

The project: dissertation will be marked out of 40. All marking will be quality assured by SQA. Open choice of context

Advanced Higher - Project: Dissertation

Opportunity for learner personalisation and choice

Candidates will have an open choice of religious, moral or philosophical question or issue

Marked out of 40

Externally marked

3000-4000 words

Criteria marking

Knowledge integral

Advanced Higher - Project: Dissertation

Justifying an appropriate complex religious, moral or philosophical question or issue for research

using a wide range of sources of information to research the question or issue

analysing and critically evaluating arguments and evidence

synthesising information to structure and sustain lines of argument to progress towards a conclusion

organising, presenting and referencing findings using an appropriate referencing system

Advanced Higher - Project: Dissertation

SQA will provide General Assessment Information and the Assessment Task

Task does not change from year to year

Detailed marking instructions available and can be shared with candidates

Guide to candidates will be provided, as at National 5 and Higher

Workshop 2Course 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

Using the materials provided, in small groups of 2-3, discuss:

The links between Unit, Question paper and Project: dissertation marking grids

The guidance for the researching elements of the Course 

www.sqa.org.uk I 0303 333 0330