2. Understanding Standards Latin (Advanced Higher)
An overview of course assessment
from 2019/2020

3. What this presentation covers
The aims of the audio recording are to provide:
an overview of the revised course assessment for Advanced Higher Latin from session 2019/20
information on what has changed and what is unchanged
information on the question paper components
general guidance on preparing candidates for assessment

4. Background
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills announced (in September 2016) the gradual removal of units and unit assessments from Higher to Advanced Higher courses
units and unit assessments to be replaced with a strengthened final exam and coursework

5. Background (continued)
the common goal is to reduce workload for candidates and practitioners while maintaining the standards and integrity of National Qualifications
the removal of units and unit assessments also presents an opportunity to streamline existing course documentation
the publication of revised course documentation will be completed by September 2019

6. Background (continued)
Since the September 2016 Scottish Government announcement SQA has:
reviewed and revised the National 5 and Higher Latin courses and implemented the changes
for the review of Advanced Higher Latin, consulted the teaching profession as fully as possible (all Principal Assessors, the National Qualifications Support team for Classical Languages and the Classics Network).

7. Timescales: Changes to Advanced Higher Latin
Jan-19
summary information for practitioners on the changes being made to National Qualifications published on SQA website
Apr-19
revised course specification published on SQA website
May-19 to Sep19
additional materials (including revised Course Support Notes, Specimen Question Papers, Audio recording and Webinar) published on SQA website

8. An overview of what is changed and what is unchanged
question paper for Literary Appreciation increased from 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes – no other change
the existing specimen question paper for literary appreciation will be revised to show the change in time
extension of Latin Translating question paper to include verse translating as well as prose and revised marking instructions (time increased from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes)
the existing specimen question paper for Translating will be revised to show these changes
no change to the Project Dissertation other than some clarification of marking instructions.

9. 2019 – 2020 Advanced Higher Latin assessment structure
Question Paper:
Literary Appreciation – 60 marks; choice of Letters and Letter Writing or Ovid and Latin Love Poetry; 1 hour 45 minutes
Translating – 60 marks total; 40 marks for prose; 20 marks for verse; 1 hour 30 minutes
Coursework:
Project-dissertation – 60 marks
Weighting now equal at 33.3% for each component.

10. Component 1 – question paper: Literary Appreciation
Continued focus on:
understanding, analysis and evaluation of texts
use of literary techniques
aspects of Roman culture

11. Component 2 – question paper: Translating
prose and verse translating passages with accompanying wordlists
prose continues to be an authentic passage from any appropriate author
verse will be hexameter poetry from the stated author, Ovid
specific marking instructions changed to accommodate 20 blocks for prose and 10 blocks for verse
2 – 1 – 0 marking retained.

12. General guidance on preparing candidates for assessment

13. Preparing candidates for assessment of Literary Appreciation
thorough knowledge of whole prescription for the genre
ability to answer questions on style, tone, technique as well as on content, imagery, structure
understanding of mythological and historical references in each genre
familiarity with command words
answer only from within the lines cited and avoid “over-answering” – the number of marks generally reflects the expected length
The 20 mark question rewards organisation, structure, developed discussion, analysis/evaluation.

14. Preparing candidates for assessment of Translating
thorough knowledge of and ability to apply prescribed accidence and syntax
ability to recognise different parts of speech and inflected endings
ability to analyse and unpack complex sentences
ability to scan ahead and anticipate how a sentence will develop
effective use of wordlists
effective use of introductory and linking passages in English

15. Preparing candidates for assessment of the Dissertation
choice of topic/title that offers scope for in-depth analysis and evaluation
substantial use of primary sources in Latin
use of Latin quotation to build the argument – engagement with Latin is key
effective acknowledgement/referencing of primary/secondary sources and use of bibliography
effective use of the number of words allowed
best results show detailed analysis; developed argument; clear introduction; coherent structure; valid conclusion based on evidence/sound reasoning

16. Qualifications team Karin Wilson karin.wilson@sqa.org.uk
Qualifications Manager
Joyce Gibson
Qualifications Officer
Margaret Sutherland
Subject Implementation Manager