NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SQA EXAMS 2019 Parents’ Information Evening Monday 25th March Inspiring Individuals, Outstanding Together

What qualifications will pupils attain? In S4 most pupils will be presented at the following levels: National 3 National 5 National 4 National 5 Units In S5/6 most pupils will be presented at the following levels National 4 Higher/Higher Units National 5 Advanced Higher

How will these be graded? National 3 and 4 will be graded PASS/FAIL National 5 will be graded A to D or ‘No Award’ Higher/Advanced Higher graded A to D or ‘No Award’

EXAM TIMETABLE Pupils have been issued with a general exam timetable. Please ensure this is checked carefully and inform Mrs Henderson immediately if there are any difficulties. Timings may be different to those on the SQA timetable so please ensure the school timetable is used for exam timings. Groupcall messages will be sent each day as a reminder of the following day’s exams.

PERSONAL EXAM TIMETABLE Every pupil will receive a personal timetable in April which will show date of birth, address, SCN all the exams which your young person is sitting the room number/venue of each exam and seat number

PREPARING FOR EXAMS Teachers have provided a timetable/programme of revision sessions. Pupils should have already been attending these. Pupils should speak to their teachers if they have any questions and are encouraged to complete past papers. Study leave should be used for study!

SCHOLAR www.scholar.hw.ac.uk

PREPARING FOR EXAMS Pupils have been issued the booklet ‘Your Exams’ and this has been discussed in PSE. www.sqa.org.uk/yourexams Pupils have also been issued with the MySQA leaflet for electronic receipt of results. www.sqa.org.uk/mysqa Both are available on the SQA website.

EXAM PERIOD The SQA Exam diet will run from Thursday 25 April to Friday 31 May inclusive. During this Exam period pupils will have Study Leave which will begin on Wednesday 24 April. Arrangements should be made with Subject Teachers to come in for support with revision and pupils may be expected to attend to complete assessments (dates to be advised).

EXAM PERIOD Pupils attending school must sign in/out at Reception if attending school other than for an exam. They do not need to sign in if sitting an exam as attendance is taken in the exam room. School uniform MUST be worn whenever a pupil is in school. Pupils in S4 and S5 who are returning to school will return on Monday 3 June.

STUDY AT OTHER VENUES Pupils who travel for courses at City Campus schools will sit their exams here. Pupils should continue to attend College schools links courses until Friday 26 April. Pupils studying a Foundation Apprenticeship will continue to attend until Friday 28 June.

ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM Have breakfast! Arrive early! Pupils must be at the correct exam room at least 15 minutes before the start time of the exam. - Late candidates may not be allowed into the exam and will not be allowed into any listening exam. Be in uniform

ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM If your young person is unwell on the day of an exam, you must contact the school by 8.15 am. A Medical Certificate from your Doctor covering the day of the exam must be given to school on the day of absence or the following day. If your young person becomes ill during an exam, and we are able to confirm this, you will not need to provide a medical certificate for them.

IN THE EXAM Be organised - have all pencils, pens ruler, calculator and dictionary, if permitted. Follow all Invigilator instructions. Make sure all questions are attempted. The question paper will say “End of Question Paper” after the last question. During the exam pupils are required to remain in the exam room for the duration of the exam.

IN THE EXAM If finished early in an exam, pupils must sit quietly and not distract others, using the time to check work and ensure no questions have been left unanswered. Pupils should check their name and SCN is on everything they need to submit. All question papers, answer papers and exam materials MUST be left in the exam room at the end of the exam.

IN THE EXAM Any pupil behaving in an inappropriate manner – for example, talking, turning round, failing to follow instructions – will be asked to leave the exam room and will NOT be allowed to complete the exam. Suspected malpractice - a candidate suspected of cheating in an exam may lose awards in all subjects.

IN THE EXAM Check no prohibited items have been brought into the exam room: mobile phone/WAP enabled phone music/MP3 player calculator — except in specified subjects dictionary — except in specified subjects cases — calculator or pencil, etc books, notes, sketches, paper of any kind, or any other prohibited item

MOBILE PHONES We recommend mobile phones are left at home or in lockers. If a pupil does have a mobile phone this must be handed to the invigilator when requested. These must not be in pockets or bags and must be switched completely off. Pupils are not permitted to leave the exam room until phones are reissued.

EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES The Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service supports candidates who have been unable to attend an exam, or those whose performance in the exam may have been affected by a personal circumstance or unplanned incident on the day, which is outwith their control. In such situations you must contact Mrs Henderson, or the guidance teacher of your young person to discuss if they are eligible.

EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES Exceptional circumstances are categorised as personal circumstances or examination circumstances. Outline reason Detailed reason Personal circumstance Bereavement Medical condition* Domestic circumstance Exceptional absence Examination circumstance Examination arrangements Disruption

RESULTS Candidates will receive Exam results on 6 August by post. Registering with MySQA will allow results to also be received electronically. You will be given information prior to the summer holidays regarding contacting the school following the issue of results if you have any queries. Results may affect courses chosen for next session.

Inspiring Individuals, Outstanding Together Good Luck!