2. Understanding Standards: An Overview of Course Assessment
Geography National 5
An Overview of Course Assessment
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Purple = R204 G153 B209 & Dark Blue =R0 G51 B102

3. What this Presentation Covers
To provide teachers and lecturers with a detailed overview of revised National 5 course assessment for session 2017 – 18.
the overall structure of the revised course assessment
what is unchanged and what is changed
a detailed overview of each component
general guidance on preparing candidates for assessment e.g. hints and tips, what is and is not required each

4. Overall Structure of the revised course assessment
Question paper 80 marks
Physical Environments 30 marks
Human Environments 30 marks
Global Issues 20 marks
Assignment 20 marks

5. An overview of what is unchanged
The content of the course remains the same!
The assignment remains the same!

6. Mandatory Skills and Knowledge and Understanding
The three areas of study remain the same:
Physical Environments
Human Environments
Global Issues

7. Physical Environments
Course content
weather
landscape types (glaciation and coasts OR
limestone and rivers)
candidates have a choice of question on landscape type: they must answer all other questions in the question paper

8. Human Environments Course content
In the context of developed and developing countries:
Population distribution and population change
indicators of development
urban geography
rural geography
candidates must answer all questions

9. Global Issues Course content
Candidates will study two of the following global issues:
climate change
natural regions (impact of human activity on the physical environment)pact
environmental hazards
trade and globalisation
tourism
health
candidates must answer two from these six options

10. Geographical Skills mapping skills related to Ordnance Survey maps
extracting, interpreting and presenting numerical and graphical information

11. An overview of what is changed
Question paper
will sample a wider range of the course
the number of marks will increase from 60 marks to 80
worth 80% of the overall marks for the course
duration has been extended to 2 hours and 20 minutes

12. Ordnance Survey mapping skills
grid references (4/6 figure)
identifying and locating physical and human features and patterns
measuring distance using scale
interpreting relief and contour patterns
using maps in association with photographs, field sketches, cross sections/transects

13. Preparing candidates for the question paper (Component 1)
learning and teaching of the course content is unchanged
the question paper is longer – 80 marks – 2 hours and 20 minutes
there is more scope to assess both content and skills
Ordnance Survey questions may be more varied and will include patterns on the usual sampling basis

14. Assignment – what is unchanged
The assignment has not changed and so the work carried out and produced by the candidates remains the same.
The conditions for the production of evidence stage have not changed but have been further clarified for teachers and lecturers.

15. Assignment – what is unchanged
Research skills including field work skills
Gathering: choosing, with minimum support, an appropriate geographical topic or issue
collecting information from a limited range of sources of information
Processing: processing the information gathered, using geographical skills/techniques
Interpreting: drawing on knowledge and understanding to explain and analyse key features of the topic or issue
reaching a well-supported conclusion, supported by evidence

16. Geography National 5 assignment
Assignment Marks
Geography National 5 assignment
20 marks – 20% of the marks for the course
The researching stage is designed to be capable of completion over a notional period of 8 hours.
The production of evidence stage must be completed in 1 hour and 1 sitting.

17. Assignment stages — Researching
Candidates have an open choice of topic or issue.
Candidates research the topic/issue and organise and process their findings to address it, using the specified resources (Processed Information) collected during their research to support them in the production of evidence.
The researching stage is conducted under some supervision and control.

18. Assignment Stages — Researching
Teachers and lecturers must ensure that the work is the candidates own by, for example;
interim progress meetings with candidates
questioning
candidate’s record of activity/progress
teacher/lecturer observation
Group work is acceptable but there must be clear evidence that each candidate has met the evidence requirements.

19. Assignment Stages — Production of evidence
The production of evidence is conducted under a high degree of supervision and should be carried out:
independently by the candidate
within 1 hour
in 1 sitting
using only the two single sided A4 or one single-sided A3 Processed Information sheet/s
in time to meet the SQA submission date
when the candidate is ready
with no access to the internet or any other files

20. Assignment Stages — Production of Evidence
During the period of assessment, candidates must:
be in direct sight of the teacher/lecturer
not communicate with each other
have access only to the Processed Information
not receive any assistance from the teacher/lecturer

21. Assignment — Reasonable Assistance
Researching Stage
directing candidates to the instructions for candidates
clarifying instructions/requirements of the task
advising candidates on the choice of issue/topic
advising about possible sources of information
arranging visits, including fieldwork, to gather evidence
interim progress checks

22. Assignment — Reasonable Assistance
Production of evidence stage
advising candidates of the nature and volume of specified resources (Processed Information) to support the production of evidence

23. Assignment — Reasonable Assistance
At any stage, reasonable assistance does not include:
providing the topic/issue
directing candidates to specific resources
providing model answers
providing detailed feedback on drafts, including marking

24. Assignment — Evidence to be gathered for SQA
processed information (two single sided a4 or one single-sided a3 sheet/s)
candidate evidence produced under a high degree of supervision

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