S4 Prelim Examinations: National 5 Courses

What Are The Prelims For? To practise under time pressure for National 5 exams To practise working with invigilators To find out what areas you need to focus on in each subject To provide evidence of performance to help teachers make estimates for SQA Are essential if you miss an exam for medical reasons Prelim grades are relevant for S5 course choices.

Appeals The appeals process you may have heard about from older pupils no longer applies. Prelims cannot be used to appeal a result in the final exam that is lower than the school had estimated. Prelims have more to do with identifying key areas for future learning than anything else.

Exam Timetable

S4 Classes during the prelims When not in exams, pupils should be in normal classes When an exam ends, pupils should return to their normal timetabled class If there are 5 minutes or fewer left in a period when an exam ends, pupils should wait and then go to their next period class Pupils at National 4 level (where there are no exams) in any subject are expected to be in their normal class while the National 5 prelim in that subject is taking place Class teachers will decide how to use their contact with S4 during the prelims, for example by –Continuing with teaching of the group (if that is practicable) –Using the time for one-to-one work with pupils –Setting subject-based revision work for the group –Allowing the pupils to work on revision of their own choosing

Timetables CheckCheck –Exams –Times –Rooms –Note that some exams run beyond normal period times. –If in doubt speak to your teacher or to Mr Paterson. –Pupils with adjusted arrangements will receive individualised timetable very soon.

Exam Rules Attendance/timingAttendance/timing LatenessLateness Leaving an examLeaving an exam – a note will be made of the time that you leave an exam if you leave early

Seat Numbers

Your Conduct School Uniform – normal rules applySchool Uniform – normal rules apply Invigilators – SQA representativesInvigilators – SQA representatives Items with writing on not allowedItems with writing on not allowed Food/drink – water/medicines onlyFood/drink – water/medicines only Bags not allowedBags not allowed Jackets not allowedJackets not allowed Pencil cases not allowedPencil cases not allowed Silence essentialSilence essential Mobile Phones/mp3s not allowedMobile Phones/mp3s not allowed HIGHEST STANDARDS EXPECTEDHIGHEST STANDARDS EXPECTED

Fire Alarm Exam is still in progressExam is still in progress Follow instructions of the invigilatorFollow instructions of the invigilator

Around the Building Other exams may be runningOther exams may be running Other classes are still in progress – the rest of the school is operating as normalOther classes are still in progress – the rest of the school is operating as normal Please go quietly back to class, or wait as quietly as you can in the social area if you have another exam about to start.Please go quietly back to class, or wait as quietly as you can in the social area if you have another exam about to start.

Your Coursework & Assessments Remember that all assessments you do in class for Units are SQA assessments and the same rules apply regarding your conduct.

Questions See Mr Paterson if you have any questions before or during the Prelim period, or with any questions about Scottish Qualifications Authority issues.See Mr Paterson if you have any questions before or during the Prelim period, or with any questions about Scottish Qualifications Authority issues.