Understanding Standards
Understanding Standards is part of our support for teachers and lecturers delivering National Qualifications.
We have subject-based resources that explain the standards required in SQA assessments to strengthen your understanding of national standards and help prepare learners for assessment.
Understanding Standards resources include:
- Understanding Standards events
- webinars
- audio presentations
- candidate evidence
- practical skills videos
Events and webinars session 2023-24
Events
Events will run as all day events from 9.30am until 3.30pm. Exceptions: National 5 and Higher Graphic Communication events will run as two half day sessions (one am and one pm) on respective days. The am session will run from 9am-12.30pm. The pm session will run from 12.30-4pm.
Applications of Mathematics Higher, 16 September 2023 (1 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Applications of Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics National 5, 23 September 2023 (1 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies Advanced Higher, 27 September 2023 (1 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Scottish Baccalaureate SCQF 7, 27 September 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the assessment of the Scottish Baccalaureate Interdisciplinary Project. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies Advanced Higher, 28 September 2023 (2 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
RMPS All levels 29 September 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on Unit assessment for RMPS at all levels. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Drama Higher 30 September 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Drama. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics Advanced Higher, 30 September 2023 (1 of 2) Perth
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Sociology National 5 and Higher, 02 October 2023 (1 of 1) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on the National 5 and Higher question papers for Sociology. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Applications of Mathematics Higher, 07 October 2023 (2 of 2) Aberdeen
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Applications of Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies Higher, 31 October 2023 (1 of 3) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies Higher, 01 November 2023 (2 of 3) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Fashion and Textile Technology Higher, 02 November 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the question paper and assignment for Higher Fashion and Textile Technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies Higher, 02 November 2023 (3 of 3) Perth
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Geography National 5 and Higher, 03 November 2023 (1 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be the assignment for National 5 and Higher Geography. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the assessment of the assignment.
RMPS National 5, 03 November 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 RMPS. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics Higher, 03 November 2023 (1 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics of Mechanics Advanced Higher, 04 November 2023 (1 of 1) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Statistics Advanced Higher, 04 November 2023 (1 of 1) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Statistics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
RMPS Higher, 08 November 2023 (1 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher RMPS. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Health and Food Technology Higher, 09 November 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the question paper and assignment for Higher Health and Food Technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
RMPS Higher, 09 November 2023 (2 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher RMPS. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
History Higher, 09 November 2023 (1 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on the Higher History assignment. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Geography National 5 and Higher, 10 November 2023 (2 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be the assignment for National 5 and Higher Geography. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the assessment of the assignment.
Philosophy Higher, 10 November 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Philosophy. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Applications of Mathematics National 5, 11 November 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Applications of Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
History Higher, 14 November 2023 (2 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on the Higher History assignment. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies National 5, 14 November 2023 (1 of 3) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Politics Higher, 15 November 2023 (1 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Politics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Graphic Communication National 5, 16 November 2023 am session (1 of 2) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the National 5 assignment with a short session covering the question paper. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Graphic Communication National 5, 16 November 2023 pm session (2 of 2) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the National 5 assignment with a short session covering the question paper. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies National 5, 16 November 2023 (2 of 3) Perth
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics Higher, 17 November 2023 (2 of 2) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Media Higher, 17 November 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Media. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics National 5, 18 November 2023 (2 of 2) Aberdeen
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
History National 5, 20 November 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on the National 5 History assignment. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
RMPS Advanced Higher, 20 November 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher RMPS. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Modern Studies National 5, 21 November 2023 (3 of 3) Edinburgh
The focus of this event will be on assessment for National 5 Modern Studies. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Graphic Communication Higher, 23 November 2023 am session (1 of 2) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the Higher assignment with a short session covering the question paper. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Graphic Communication Higher, 23 November 2023 pm session (2 of 2) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the Higher assignment with a short session covering the question paper. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Politics Higher, 23 November 2023 (2 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Higher Politics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Classical Studies National 5 and Higher, 24 November 2023 (1 of 1) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on the National 5 and Higher Classical Studies assignment. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Mathematics Advanced Higher, 25 November 2023 (2 of 2) Glasgow
The focus of this event will be on assessment for Advanced Higher Mathematics. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
Graphic Communication Advanced Higher, 07 December 2023 (1 of 1) Stirling
The focus of this event will be on the project with a short session on the question paper. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and discuss candidate evidence with colleagues during workshop activities.
To book a place on any of the events log in to events
Webinars
Modern Languages (Chinese Languages, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Spanish, Urdu) National 5 and Higher, 19 September 2023 (5-6pm)
The aim of this webinar session is to provide an overview of approaches to delivering the National 5 and Higher Modern Languages assignment-writing coursework task which is returning as a course component in session 2023-24. The webinar is suitable for colleagues who have previously delivered and also those delivering for the first time. The session will consider the purpose of assignment-writing, the assessment conditions, candidate resources, and the piece of writing itself, with discussion of generic examples of assignment-writing.
Modern Languages (Chinese Languages, French, Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian, Spanish, Urdu) National 5 and Higher, 27 September 2023 (5-6pm)
The aim of this webinar session is to provide an overview of approaches to delivering the National 5 and Higher Modern Languages assignment-writing coursework task which is returning as a course component in session 2023-24. The webinar is suitable for colleagues who have previously delivered and also those delivering for the first time. The session will consider the purpose of assignment-writing, the assessment conditions, candidate resources, and the piece of writing itself, with discussion of generic examples of assignment-writing.
Fashion and Textile Technology National 5, 01 November 2023 (4.30-5.30pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for National 5 Fashion and Textile Technology.
Drama National 5, 01 November 2023 (4.30-5.30pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for the National 5 Drama question paper and performance components and discuss observations from the 2023 exam diet.
Drama Advanced Higher, 08 November 2023 (4.30-5.30pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for the Advanced Higher Drama course.
Health and Food Technology National 5, 08 November 2023 (4.30-5.30pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for National 5 Health and Food Technology.
Health and Food Technology Advanced Higher, 15 November 2023 (4.30-5.30pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for Advanced Higher Health and Food Technology.
NPA Climate Change and Sustainability SCQF Levels 3 and 4, 16 January 2024 (4.30-5.30pm)
The focus of this webinar will be on the National Progression Award in Climate Change and Sustainability at SCQF levels 3 and 4.
Media National 5, 22 January 2024 (4.30-6pm)
This webinar will support attendees in their understanding of the standards for National 5 Media and offer them the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about the course assessment.
To book a place on any of the webinars log in to webinars
Find our Published Understanding Standards resources
All our NQ subject pages have links to published Understanding Standards resources, which you will find within the Understanding Standards tab.
You can also find resources on our Understanding Standards website. (Some are also available from the SQA Secure website for secure assessments).