2. Key messages from Verification 2013-14  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

3. New Advanced Higher Subject Implementation Events Modern Studies: Advanced Higher Course Assessment

4. Course Assessment at Advanced Higher  Course Assessment at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher assesses Added Value  Courses at Advanced Higher are normally assessed by one or two Components  For Modern Studies there are 2 Components – a Question Paper and a Project (dissertation).  Courses at Advanced Higher are graded A – D, as at present  Controlled Assessment of setting, conducting and marking  Consider issues arising from external assessment reports  No dual running at Advanced Higher in session 2015-16

5. Advanced Higher – Question Paper  3 hours  90 marks  Three 30 marks questions (complete two)  Two 15 mark questions (complete both) –Research methods –Source  Builds on current paper  Revised command words

6. Advanced Higher – Question Paper 30 mark questions  1 from each area of study within a study theme  Complete two questions  Elements: –Analysing, synthesising and evaluating to structure and sustain lines of argument –Making international comparisons –Applying knowledge and understanding of complex political or social issues

7. Advanced Higher – Question Paper 15 mark questions  Complete both  Elements: –Analysing and evaluating social science research methods –Analysing and evaluating a source of information –Applying knowledge and understanding of social science research

8. Advanced Higher – Support  Unit Support – Extra unit assessment package – –unit by unit for every study theme plus a portfolio approach structure;  Study themes – international comparison support –New sources web page. Will sit on secure website –Extra content support in Specimen Question Paper Marking Instructions;  Research / Sources and Research Methods Section –Extra guidance and scaffolding in Unit candidate assessment task; –Detailed guidance in Specimen Question Paper Marking Instructions; –Detailed guidance in Dissertation candidate task;  Dissertation – guidance –Detailed support for candidates –Detailed marking criteria and explanation of required elements

9. Project - Dissertation Very little change from current practice:  Research project  Findings presented as a dissertation  50 marks  4000 – 5000 words  Criteria marking  Reasonable assistance

10. Project – Dissertation - Reasonable Assistance From: AH Modern Studies. Project - dissertation: General assessment information

11. Advanced Higher Dissertation Criteria In presenting their findings, candidates will:  Justify an appropriate, complex, contemporary political / social issue  Evaluate research methodology  Use a wide range of sources of information  Analyse the issue  Evaluate arguments and evidence (cont)

12. Advanced Higher Dissertation Criteria (cont)  Synthesise information to develop a sustained and coherent line of argument, leading to a conclusion, supported by evidence  Organise, present and reference findings using appropriate conventions

13. Workshop 2 Course Assessment Using the materials provided, in small groups of 2- 3, discuss:  Identify subject-specific topics for discussion Workshop Aims  To understand the requirements of Advanced Higher Course Assessments Using the materials provided, in small groups of 2-3, discuss:  The links between the Unit, Question Paper and Dissertation marking grids  The guidance for the research elements of the course

14. www.sqa.org.uk I 0303 333 0330