New Advanced Higher Subject Implementation Events Qualifications Update: Chemistry

Key Messages Session 2014/15 – first diet of new Higher, triple run with Highers & Revised Highers Session 2015/16 – first diet of Advanced Higher- no dual running Session 2014/15 – first Higher, triple run with Highers & Revised Highers

Key Messages cont’d Provides progression from Higher Chemistry Content is similar to the Revised Advanced Higher Chemistry Develops an increased depth and complexity of knowledge and understanding Further develops higher order skills Encourages independent learning Offers personalisation and choice Provides flexibility

Course Structure 3 Units: – internally assessed by centres – externally verified by SQA – Pass/Fail Course assessment – Question Paper o marked by SQA – Coursework (Project) o conducted by Centres & marked by SQA

SQA is developing Unit and Course assessment materials to support the Advanced Higher Chemistry Course. Unit Assessment Support will provide three support packages that exemplify approaches to assessment and gathering evidence. Centres will be free to develop their own assessment packages. Key messages: Assessment Support

Key messages: Assessment Support cont’d Course assessment consisting of: – Question paper o a specimen Question Paper and marking instructions published February 2015, which meet the requirements of the Course Assessment Specification. – Project o Project Information published March 2015, which meets the requirements of the Course Assessment Specification.

Key messages: Unit Specifications ‘Standard’ Units Outcome 1 Minor changes to wording of Assessment Standards Outcome 2 Assessment Standard 2.1 reworded to ‘Making accurate statements and giving clear descriptions/explanations’ Assessment Standards 2.2 and 2.3 removed Assessment Standard 2.4 therefore becomes 2.2 New Assessment Standard ‘selecting information’ removed from problem solving types

Key messages: Transfer of evidence Both Outcome 1 and Assessment Standard 2.2 need only be achieved once in any of these Units of this Course: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis Units. Outcome 1 in the Researching Chemistry Unit of this Course can be used as evidence of the achievement of Outcome 1 in the Inorganic and Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis Units of this Course.

Mandatory content is being reviewed and updated Question Paper will have 100 marks Project will have 30 marks Key messages: Course Assessment Specification

Assessment Support Schedule 2014/15 Oct 14Unit Assessment Support (Package 1) Jan 15CfE Advanced Higher Subject Update Letter Jan 15Subject Course Comparison N5 – AH Feb 15Unit Assessment Support (Package 2) Feb 15AH Specimen Question Paper + Marking Instr. Mar 15Coursework General Assessment Information Apr 15Unit Assessment Support (Package 3) Apr 15Update Mandatory Documents as required May 15 Update Unit Assessment Support as required – CUSN, UASP Packs 1 and 2

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Key messages from Verification Use valid and reliable assessments –SQA-produced Unit Assessment Support Packs –Centre devised assessments that have been prior verified –Your own assessments – strongly advise you have these prior verified –Advise staff to go back and look at subject verification comments for N5 Making assessment judgements –SQA packs are designed on a pass/fail basis –Use Judging Evidence Tables to make assessment judgments against Assessment Standards, and have commentary on how to meet each Assessment Standard –A task/activity can meet most or all of the Unit Outcomes and Assessment Standards –Indicate on candidate’s work that Unit Assessment Standards have been met Unit Assessment complementing learning and teaching –Unit Assessment is open and flexible –Assessment should allow you space to prepare for Added Value/Course Assessment

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