2. Understanding Standards: Advanced Higher Event
Modern Studies

3. Important Documentation
Course Assessment Specification (August 2015)
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course/Unit Support Notes (May 2015)
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Specimen and Exemplar Question Papers
General assessment information for Advanced Higher Modern Studies
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Approved List of Dissertations
2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Report (October 2016)
All available via

4. Further Documentation
Coursework assessment task for Advanced Higher Modern Studies 
Available via SQA Secure Site
See your centre’s SQA coordinator for access

5. Aims of the day
To support teachers, lecturers and assessors in their understanding of national standards by:
reviewing candidate evidence
discussing this evidence and associated Marking Instructions with colleagues
asking questions and seeking clarification about national standards

6. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Approximately 851 resulted entries
Grade A %
Grade A - B %
Grade A - C %
Grade D and No Award 18.3%

7. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Grade Boundaries
Upper A marks
A Mark marks
B Mark marks
C Mark marks
D Mark marks
No Award less than 62 marks

8. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Average mark
Question Paper (out of 90)
Assignment/Dissertation 32.7 (out of 50)

9. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Question Paper
22% of centres/candidates attempt Political Issues
76% of centres/candidates attempt Law & Order
2% of centres/candidates attempt Social Inequality

10. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Question Paper: Political Issues
Q. 1 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 2 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 3 avg. mark (30)
Q. 4 avg. mark (15)
Q. 5 avg. mark (15)
* Most popular essay questions in this study area

11. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Question Paper: Law & Order
Q. 6 avg. mark (30)
Q. 7 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 8 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 9 avg. mark (15)
Q. 10 avg. mark (15)
* Most popular essay questions in this study area

12. General Information 2016 Exam Diet
Question Paper: Social Inequality
Q. 11 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 12 avg. mark (30)
Q. 13 avg. mark (30) *
Q. 14 avg. mark (15)
Q. 15 avg. mark (15)
* Most popular essay questions in this study area

13. The 30 mark extended response
Workshop 1
Question Paper
Section A
The 30 mark extended response

14. Extended Responses Areas in which candidates performed well
Referencing international comparator country or countries
Referencing ideas/theories or academic arguments
Analysis of differences/similarities between the UK/Scotland and comparator country or countries made

15. Extended Responses Areas which candidates found demanding
No reference to any international comparator(s)
Candidates losing 10 marks across analysis/ comparison criteria
Lack of on-going evaluation or conclusions
Summary ‘conclusions’

16. Extended Responses Advice for future presentations
Ensure coverage of international comparator country or countries and evaluate relative to UK/Scotland
Answer the question set and address various sides of the ‘argument’
Offer current, up-to-date and on-going evidence/ exemplification
Go beyond ‘summary’ conclusions

17. The 30 mark extended response
Analysis (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks:
“ includes relevant and contemporary supporting
evidence from an international comparator country”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 4)

18. The 30 mark extended response
Analysis (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks:
“ analytical comments are integrated in-depth with international comparison …comments clearly integrate the ideas/arguments of others with the candidate’s own”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 4)

19. The 30 mark extended response
Comparison (6 marks)
Award 0 marks where:
“ No evidence of relevant international comparison”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 5)

20. The 30 mark extended response
Comparison (6 marks)
For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks:
“ points of comparison are integrated into and form a key part of the candidate’s line argument”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 5)

21. The 30 mark extended response
Evaluation (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks:
“In addition, there is reasoned evaluation of at
least one alternative factor.”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 6)

22. The 30 mark extended response
Evaluation (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks:
“points of evaluation are integrated throughout the candidate’s line of argument …the overall judgement includes reasons for discounting or accepting alternatives: these reasons are used to clearly support the overall conclusion.”
(2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 6)

23. The 30 mark extended response
Synthesis (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 3-4 marks:
“ Pieces of information are drawn together into an overall conclusion which provides an overall
judgement on the question …The conclusion follows from a line of argument and is supported
by accurate, detailed reasons/evidence …”
(2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 7)

24. The 30 mark extended response
Synthesis (8 marks)
For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks:
“…overall conclusion includes a response to
at least one relevant counter-argument”
AND
“ the line of argument integrates points of analysis and evaluation, using these to support the overall judgement ….the overall judgement is based on a range of analysis or evaluation”
(2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 7)

25. The 30 mark extended response
Workshop 1: Activity
The 30 mark extended response
Assessment criteria
Analysis 8 marks
Comparison 6 marks
Evaluation 8 marks
Synthesis/Conclusion 8 marks

26. Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions
Workshop 2
Question Paper
Section B
Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions

27. Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14)
Areas in which candidates performed well
Analysis of two stated methods  
Referencing advantages and disadvantages of two methods
Concluding comment or justification

28. Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14)
Areas which candidates found demanding
Supporting analysis of research methods with in depth knowledge and contemporary or relevant supporting evidence
Consideration of the ‘scenario’ posed in research method questions
Lack of comment on ethical issues of research methods

29. Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14)
Advice for future presentations
Familiarise candidates with assessable criteria
Integrate as part of coursework/dissertation
Ensure candidate opportunities to study examples of academic application of methods

30. Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15)
Areas in which candidates performed well
Balanced comment on strengths and weaknesses of the source.
 Citation of supporting evidence from the source
A clear judgement on source trustworthiness

31. Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15)
Areas which candidates found demanding
Descriptive use of source information
Lack of supporting evidence
No overall judgement on trustworthiness

32. Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15)
Advice for future presentations
Ensure regular opportunity to critically evaluate complex political or social information
Support evidence drawing source and knowledge and understanding
Comment on source errors and omissions from the source if relevant.
Offer clear judgement on source trustworthiness

33. Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14)
Expect reference to the following:
key ethical/practical aspects of using the research method
evaluation of the suitability of research methods for researching [the] given scenario,
contemporary/relevant evidence supporting knowledge about Social Science research methods
a line of argument leading to an overall judgement
(2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions
page 2)

34. Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15)
Expect reference to the following:
analysis of the source to identify key aspects* which affect validity/reliability
evaluation of the reliability/validity of the source in the context of Social Science
research, supported with contemporary/relevant evidence
supporting knowledge about conducting Social Science research
a line of argument leading to an overall judgement.
(2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions
page 2)

35. Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions
Workshop 2: Activity
Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions
Assessment criteria
Analysis 6 marks
Evaluation 6 marks
Conclusion 3 marks

36. Workshop 3
The Dissertation

37. Dissertation
Areas in which candidates performed well
justifying an appropriate, complex, contemporary political/social issue
using a wide range of sources of information
organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate conventions

38. Dissertation Areas which candidates found demanding
evaluating research methodology
analysing the issue
evaluating arguments and evidence
synthesising evidence to structure and sustain a coherent line of argument leading to a conclusion, supported by evidence

39. Dissertation Advice for future presentations
Ensure relevant hypothesis and aims
Justify research methods/consider ethics and adaptations to be made
Adopt a ‘house’ style of academic referencing

40. Workshop 3: Activity – Dissertation
justifying an appropriate, complex, contemporary political/social issue (8 marks)
evaluating research methodology (6 marks)
using a wide range of sources of information (6 marks)
analysing the issue (8 marks)
evaluating arguments and evidence (8 marks)
synthesising evidence to structure and sustain a coherent line of argument leading to a conclusion, supported by evidence (10 marks)
organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate conventions (4 marks)

41. Plenary Q & A For any other questions or queries contact: Via SQA or