Exam and Revision Information

National 5

Higher Advanced Higher

2016

Exam and Revision Information Page 1

Index: Art and Design 2 Biology 3 Business Management 4 Chemistry 5 Drama 6 English 7 French 10 Gaelic (Learners) 11 Gàidhlig 12 Geography 13 Graphic Communication 14 History 15 Human Biology 16 Maths 17 Modern Studies 18 Music 19 Physics 20 Physical Education 21 Psychology (College) 21

Exam and Revision Information Page 2

Art and Design

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Tuesday 31st May 2016

Important Deadlines: should have been completed already.

Revision Guidance: “How to Pass N5 Art” by Hodder Education https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Product/9781444187328.aspx Past papers SQA Higher http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=Art+and+Design&level=NH SQA National 5 http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=Art+and+Design&level=N5 Supplementary Literature: Notes on Cezanne and Peploe are available from the department. Powerpoints on a range of Artists and Designers are also available.

Websites:

www.scran.ac.uk - a good source of images and Art/Design questions (available in school). www.exploreart.co.uk - great source of Scottish paintings, short biographies and art glossary. www.sqa.org.uk – click on NQ at the bottom right hand corner and select Art & Design Candidate Gallery.

Exam and Revision Information Page 3

Biology

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Advanced Higher Monday 9th May 2016

Revision Guidance: Don’t leave revision too late – start NOW! Make a revision timetable. You have seven topics to revise. Be realistic

about how long you can spend on each topic between now and May and tick off each topic on the list when you have done it

Use the learning outcomes for each topic to focus your revision on what is really important. Use the textbook to find any facts you are not sure of

Make up your own revision notes – facts, mind maps etc. Use the Bitesize website to test yourself a section at a time. Make a note

of things you have difficulty with Try past exam questions on the topic you are studying. Check the answers

and get help if you need it Above all come and ask for help if you don’t understand anything Supplementary Literature: Official SQA Past papers, Intermediate 2 and Credit level papers will help

you prepare for the National 5 exam. Ask your teacher which you should use

Bright Red Study Guide, National 5 Biology ‘How to Pass National 5 Biology’ published by Hodder Gibson

Websites:

www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zync87h www.sqa.org.uk./pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm http://mrsmatheson.wordpress.com/

Exam and Revision Information Page 4

Business Management

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Friday 27th May 2016

Revision Guidance: Read through your notes and try as many practice questions as you can You are aiming to complete a paper without looking at your notes BUT if you

have to at first, then this is still revising! If a question asks you to ‘Describe’, a few words for an answer is not enough Remember with a Compare question, work through one point at a time Answer the question asked - look for the command word! Give examples from the real world whenever possible You have three textbooks – use them for reading and practice questions Read the purple handouts Supplementary Literature: Hodder and Gibson Success Guide. Hodder and Gibson Practice Papers. Leckie and Leckie Success Guide.

Websites:

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize - gives links to useful clips and notes. www.sqa.org.uk - look at the old Higher past papers for questions with the command words used in the new Higher. www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies - there are many resources on this site including PowerPoint presentations. If you use a search engine you will find many resources – remember most of these are aimed at real businesses and so they may use jargon. If you are not sure what something means, ASK!

Exam and Revision Information Page 5

Chemistry

Level Examination Date

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Wednesday 18th May 2016

Revision Guidance: Read small chunks of textbook regularly. Intersperse this with plenty of

questions from the selection at the end of each unit. Concentrate on the questions you get wrong or find difficult. Work on these until you understand the problems or bring them in to your teacher

Similar multiple choice questions have a tendency to be repeated from year to year. Practise as many as you can

Are you spending as much time revising your Chemistry as you are on any other subject? You should be!

You should be aiming to spend at least two hours a week on Chemistry revision

Supplementary Literature: Your most important documents, apart from your textbook, are the official SQA arrangements – your Learning Outcomes and the list of key areas. Make sure that you have revised each section and understood the Chemistry involved. You will also get unit summaries. The school can lend you official SQA past papers (very important in the last two months of the course) and a variety of revision guides on any specific part of the courses which you can identify as causing problems – ask your teacher.

Websites:

Bitesize (Scotland) Evans2Chemweb SQA (Past Papers and Specimen Paper) Scholar One word of warning…. If you want to revise online, revise. Don’t try to use social media sites at the same time or you’ll be wasting your time!

Exam and Revision Information Page 6

Drama

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Wednesday May 25th 2016

Important Deadlines: Practical Performance Exam: All performance exams will be in March. Pupils will be notified of exact dates nearer the time.

Revision Guidance: Attendance at after school or lunchtime rehearsals until Practical Exam is

over. Then at after school theory sessions until 27th April Revision questions will be given on a regular basis in class and for

homework Practise responses over and over Submit practice answers for marking then read teacher comments and use

these to improve answers Full attendance in school Learn lines for performance exam – unless you can work without the script

it will be hard to rehearse fully Supplementary Literature: Practice papers on SQA website.

Websites:

Bitesize Drama for terminology. Google for research purposes regarding costume/design/staging ideas. National Theatre website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk Other theatre websites.

Exam and Revision Information Page 7

English

Level Examination Date

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Thursday 5th May 2016

Important Deadlines (all levels): pupils will have undertaken most of their Internally Assessed Units prior to the Easter break. However, any outstanding units need to be completed before the end of May.

The Exams The exams at all levels will be exactly as the pupils experience in their prelim. The Advanced Higher English Course There are five elements in this course, all of which must be passed in order to gain Advanced Higher accreditation. Two are internally assessed and three are externally assessed. Internally Assessed Units:

Creation and Production (Writing Skills) Analysis and Evaluation (Reading and Textual Analysis Skills)

Externally Assessed Components:

The Writing Folio: 30% Two pieces of writing in two different genres

The Dissertation: 30% The Final Exam: 40%

Candidates will choose one question from a range of questions and write a critical essay in response to it. One hour 30 minutes is allocated for this question

Candidates will choose one question on an unseen literary text and write an extended critical analysis of it. One hour 30 minutes is allocated for this question

Pupils will have a choice of Poetry, Prose Fiction, Prose Non-Fiction or Drama in both sections of the exam

Pupils will receive an SQA accreditation graded A – D.

Exam and Revision Information Page 8

The Higher English Course There are four elements in this course all of which must be passed in order to gain Higher accreditation. Two are internally assessed and two are externally assessed. Internally Assessed Units:

Creation and Production (Writing and Talking skills) Analysis and Evaluation (Reading and Listening skills)

Externally Assessed Components:

The Writing Folio: 30% One Creative Writing piece One Discursive Writing piece

The Final Exam: 70% Reading for Analysis, Understanding and Evaluation in which

pupils must answer questions on two thematically-linked passages. One hour 30 minutes is allocated for this paper. (30%)

Critical Reading in which pupils must read an extract from a Scottish text previously studied and answer questions (20%); write one critical essay on a previously studied text from a choice of Drama, Prose, Poetry, Film and Television Drama or Language (20%). One hour 30 minutes is allocated for this paper

Pupils will receive an SQA accreditation graded A – D. The National 5 English Course There are four elements in this course all of which must be passed in order to gain National 5 accreditation. Two are internally assessed and two are externally assessed. Internally Assessed Units:

Creation and Production (Writing and Talking skills) Analysis and Evaluation (Reading and Listening skills)

Externally Assessed Components:

The Writing Folio: 30% One Creative Writing piece One Discursive Writing piece

The Final Exam: 70% Reading for Analysis, Understanding and Evaluation. One

hour is allocated for this paper (30%)

Exam and Revision Information Page 9

Critical Reading: read an extract from a Scottish text previously studied and answer questions; write one critical essay on a previously studied text from a choice of Drama, Prose, Poetry, Film and Television Drama or Language (20% each). One hour and 30 minutes is allocated for this paper

Pupils will receive an SQA accreditation graded A – D. Revision Guidance The most important revision tactic is to read as much as possible! The Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation passages tend to

be extracts from broadsheet newspapers and literary fiction, therefore it is a very good idea to read as much of this type of writing as possible

Practice and timing are equally important! Past papers are available through the English Department or can be purchased, complete with answers, through most good bookstores

Study and revision classes run at lunchtimes and/or after school and of course, pupils can approach their English teacher with regard to anything they are unsure of or worried about

Don’t leave it until the last minute! Do a little and often Remember, the more prepared you are, the more confident you will be on

the day of the exam! Supplementary Literature: Leckie and Leckie Past Papers. Hodder Gibson Practice Papers. Waterstones have a good reference selection. The Amazon website is useful.

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/ www.sqa.org.uk If you have any other concerns or questions, please contact the English Department at the high school: 01478 614810 www.portreehigh.highland.sch.uk

Exam and Revision Information Page 10

French

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Monday 16 May 2016

Important Deadlines: Higher and National 5 Unit Assessment to be completed by Easter holidays. Higher and National 5 Speaking exams will take place in school and will be sent to the SQA before the end of March.

Revision Guidance:

Use CFE Higher booklets: Society, Learning, Employability and Culture Revise reading texts and vocabulary Use ‘How to Pass Higher French’ for revision of all four skills – in

particular Listening and Writing Use all additional material issued in class for revision of grammar and

tenses in particular Complete as many past papers as you can Watch French films Scholar

Supplementary Literature: Higher French course notes by Leckie & Leckie with CD. Higher French practice papers on Reading and Directed Writing (both available at bookshops such as WH Smith or Amazon). How to Pass Higher French by Douglas Angus. CFE Higher French Success Guide by Leckie & Leckie.

Websites:

www.hvic.org.uk/pupilzone/secondary subjectslinks/ModernLanguages/French www.grantowngrammar.highland.sch.uk/Subjects/languages/main.htm/French www.bbc.co.uklanguages/French www.lepointdufle.net www.linguascope.com (Ask your teacher for the username and password to access this site.)

Exam and Revision Information Page 11

Gaelic (Learners)

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Thursday 19 May 2016

Important Deadlines: Final Talk Assessments: National 5: 21st – 23rd March Higher: 14th – 18th March

Revision Guidance:

Carefully revise course vocabulary and practise your writing techniques Redraft class writing pieces until they represent your best work and try to reproduce that quality in your exam

Prepare thoroughly for Talk assessment. A good Talk grade can make all the difference to your overall performance. You will receive guidance from your teacher

Work through past papers to improve your timing and exam technique. Get every mark you can!

Supplementary Literature: Revision booklets available from the department. Specimen and Past papers at National 5 and Higher are available at www.sqa.org.uk published with extended marking schemes. Department issued support material - Writing pack.

Websites:

www.sqa.org.uk www.scholar.hw.ac.uk – pupils have their own login details There are other useful pages on the BBC site: www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher/gaelic

For further links go to: www.learngaelic.net – try using the dictionary facilities online – Stòr-Dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig

Exam and Revision Information Page 12

Gàidhlig

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Wednesday 1 June 2016

Important Deadlines: Final Talk Assessments: National 5: 8th – 12th March Higher: 14th - 18th March

Revision Guidance:

Prepare thoroughly for Talk assessment. This represents 30% of your overall grade. You will receive guidance from your teacher

Work through past papers to improve your timing and exam technique. Get every mark you can!

Redraft writing pieces until they represent your best work. Reproduce that quality in your exam.

Supplementary literature: Revision notes on Literature. Specimen and Past papers at National 5 and Higher are available at www.sqa.org.uk published with extended marking schemes. Writing and literature pack.

Websites:

www.learngaelic.net www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/bitesize www.sqa.org.uk

Exam and Revision Information Page 13

Geography

Level Examination Date

National 5 / Higher Friday 6th May 2016

Important Deadlines: Complete all Unit Assessments by 18th March.

Revision Guidance:

Refer to the explanations of the course requirements Make use of exemplar answers Learn key points / terminology in all topics

Make a revision timetable and ensure you stick to it Be active in your revision by carefully condensing notes

Practise with past papers under exam conditions Ask staff for help / advice / to mark past papers and give you feedback How to Pass N5 Geography books available for loan (£3 deposit) Revision class on Thursday 3.30 – 5.00pm

Supplementary Literature: How to Pass Higher / N5 Geography. (Hodder Gibson) Bright Red Study Guide – N5 or Higher Geography. (Bright Red) N5 Geography / Higher – Practice Papers. (Leckie and Leckie) SQA Past Papers and Marking Instructions.

Websites:

www.georesource.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/education www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/video www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers www.coolgeography.co.uk

Exam and Revision Information Page 14

Graphic Communication

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Tuesday 10th May 2016

Important Deadlines: IP Folio for all examinations – 23rd March.

Revision Guidance: This is a practical subject where pupils require specialised equipment or software to complete coursework or revision. There are various materials stored on the school network. It can be found by following the file path: Pupil Shared-Technology-Graphic Communication-Nat5. This can be copied to a pen drive or CD. Pupils are encouraged to attend class as often as possible. A revision class runs on Tuesday and Thursday after school. Pupils have been issued with a Knowledge and Interpretation Guide.

Websites:

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/standard

Exam and Revision Information Page 15

History

Level Examination Date

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Friday 20th May 2016

Important Deadlines: Nat 5 Assignment March: Higher Assignment March 15th and Advanced Higher Dissertation April 15th

Revision Guidance:

Make a revision timetable and ensure you stick to it Be active in your revision by carefully condensing notes Practise with past papers under exam conditions to improve time-

management Use of exemplar answers

Learn the key points of all topics

Revision tutorial offered during pre-arranged lunchtimes/after school Supplementary Literature: Revision worksheets and notes. SQA past papers and marking instructions. How to Pass National 5 textbook.

Websites:

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/hist www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers

www.ltscotland.org.uk/higherscottishhistory/index.asp www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/Nat5/history/ www.schoolhistory.co.uk/diagrams/ www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/3309.html

Exam and Revision Information Page 16

Human Biology

Level Examination Date

Higher Monday 9th May 2016

Revision Guidance:

Don’t leave revision too late – if you haven’t already done so, start NOW! Make a revision timetable. You have four topics to revise. Be realistic

about how long you can spend on each topic between now and May and tick off each chapter on the list when you have done it

Use the learning outcomes for each topic to focus your revision on what is really important. Use the textbook or monograph to find any facts you are not sure of

Make up your own revision notes – facts, mind maps, etc. Use the websites below to test yourself a section at a time. Make a note

of things you have difficulty with Try past exam questions on the topic you are studying. Check the

answers and get help if you need it Above all come and ask for help if you don’t understand anything

Supplementary Literature: Official SQA past papers, available for all levels. How to pass Intermediate 2/Higher/Higher Human Biology – all published by Hodder Gibson.

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher http://scholar.hw.ac.uk/courses/html www.sparknotes.com/biology www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm

Exam and Revision Information Page 17

Maths

Level Examination Date

National 5 Lifeskills Maths

National 5 Maths

Higher/Advanced Higher Maths

Wednesday 4th May 2016

Thursday 12th May 2016

Thursday 12th May 2016

Revision Guidance:

Don’t delay - if you haven’t already done so, START NOW! Be organised - make a revision timetable and stick to it Don’t just read notes - work through examples past papers Get help - attend supported study session groups Be prepared - have all the correct equipment for your exam Be disciplined - use your exam study time effectively

Additional Materials:

Check your Glow groups for revision material. Buy a set of past papers / specimen papers. Use the free past papers from the SQA website – see below.

Websites:

www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers www.mathsrevision.com www.mathsroom.co.uk www.highlandlearning.org.uk www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education www.scholar.hw.ac.uk (Higher and Advanced Higher) www.hsn.uk.net (Higher) www.portreehighschoolmaths.weebly.com What we can do for you ……MATHS SUPPORTED STUDY Tuesday after school

National 5 Miss MacCallum Room 11 Advanced Higher Mrs Murray Room 12

Thursday after school Higher Mrs Tinney Room 7 Lifeskills Miss Yoxon Room 10 Final Tip: Don’t just practise until you get it right – practise till you

never get it wrong!

Exam and Revision Information Page 18

Modern Studies

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher Monday 30th May 2016

Revision Guidance:

Make a revision timetable and ensure you stick to it Refer to the ‘Tool Kit’ your teacher has given you Be active in your revision by carefully condensing notes Practise with past papers under exam conditions Use the How to Pass books for guidance Visit the SQA website and BBC Bitesize Modern Studies website Attend revision tutorial after school on Mondays and Tuesdays Higher students should regularly visit PHS Mod Studs on Twitter Use exemplar answers Learn the key factors in all topics Watch the news to help build up your bank of relevant examples

Websites:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/mod/studies http://www.portreehigh.highland.sch.uk/ku-practice.html http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers https://twitter.com/

Exam and Revision Information Page 19

Music

Level Examination Date

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Listening: Friday 13th May 2016

Important Deadlines 10th/11th March: Practical Exams – except Advanced Higher (usually late April/May) 24th March: Composition Folio and Understanding Music Projects submitted for marking 13th April: N5 Understanding Music prelim 18th April: Higher Understanding Music prelim 21st April: Advanced Higher Understanding Music prelim

Supplementary Literature: How to Pass National 5 Music - by Joe McGowan How to Pass Higher Music, Hodder and Gibson, with CD. (Ignore the section on arranging as part of the composition unit. Some of the concepts in this book are no longer relevant for the New Higher – so use your checklist for clarification.) Pupils will receive concepts lists and revision aids in class. Websites: www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqmusic www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learnlisteningonline www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/ http://trainer.thetamusic.com/en http://paisleygrammarschool.flipsnackedu.com/browse/

Exam and Revision Information Page 20

Physics

Level Examination Date

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Tuesday 24th May 2016

Revision Guidance:

Make a revision timetable. Use your notes, summaries, textbook and websites to go over a section at a time – for about 20-30 minutes

Make up your own revision notes – facts, formulas, ‘Mind Maps’ etc. Try questions you have done before and old exam questions. Check the

answers – get help if you keep getting them wrong. Come and ask for help if you don’t understand anything

Revision exercises will be put on the blog site (see below) Don’t leave revision too late – START NOW!!

For the exam: Bring your scientific calculator – be sure you really know how to use it! Have a ruler and protractor in case you need to do scale drawings – spare pencils, rubber and pens too. Take your time over the questions – read them carefully and have a think about what you are being asked before you start to write anything. Stop and go onto the next question if you are taking too long; you can come back to it later. Try to give clear explanations when asked for them; use a diagram if this helps. Supplementary Literature: Leckie and Leckie past paper exam questions. “How to Pass National 5 Physics published by Hodder Gibson. Physics Revision notes for Higher.

Websites:

www.hvlc.org.uk www.bbc.co.uk/scotland.education/subjects/z6fsgk7 www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher/physics www.helpmyphysics.co.uk www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers Scholar website: http://courses.scholar.hw.ac.uk/vlr/scholar/login.jsp www.mrmackenzie.co.uk www.wattphysics.wordpress.com

Exam and Revision Information Page 21

Physical Education

Level Examination Date

National 5 and Higher No final exam - Folio to be completed Practical final performance preparation at lunchtime/after school/within local clubs. Friday 3rd June 2016

Important Deadlines: National 4/5 All written work to be completed by Easter holidays.

Revision Guidance: Text book and Course notes issued to all pupils. Additional revision notes.

www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers - past papers and marking instructions for ‘new’ Higher. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/levels/z6gw2hv

Psychology (College Open Learning)

Level Examination Date

Higher Wednesday 12 June 2016

See Tutor for other assessment dates