National 5 and Higher English

Please scroll down and have a look at what is expected in these courses. You will also find quick links to the SQA pages. 

What does the exam look like?

  • Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation = 30 marks
  • Critical Reading = 40 marks
  • Portfolio: Writing = 30 marks
  • 100 marks in total 

Portfolio: Writing 

•You will produce many pieces of writing (and submit one to the SQA) which demonstrate:
•Skills in writing in different genres, namely creative and discursive writing
• Skills in writing for different purposes and audiences
•The portfolio will have 15 marks (the marks will be doubled and account for 30% of the total mark).
•The written texts must be of no more than 1,000 words each (N5) and 1300 words (Higher). Essays must be at least 500 words.
•The learner’s writing will be marked in terms of content, accuracy, language use and ability to achieve the intended purpose.

Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation 

•These 30 marks will be awarded for addressing the challenge of applying the reading skills of understanding, analysis and evaluation of a non-fiction text.
•This will be what we call an ‘unseen text’ – this means you will not know what the article is about before you go into the exam so you need to build your skills in reading and analysing articles without support.

N5 RUAE

•Identify key information and ideas from the texts

•Explain relationships between ideas

•Analyse features of language and discuss their relationship with the ideas of the texts as a whole. Features of language might include word choice, imagery, tone, sentence structure, punctuation, sound techniques, and so on.

•Summarise information for a purpose.

•Evaluate the effect of the language and/or ideas of the text(s).

•You have 1 hour to complete this paper (N5).

Higher RUAE

•The passage at Higher increases in complexity in terms of language and the questions you are asked.
•There is a requirement to write in your own words at H, unless stated otherwise.
•There is also a second passage at H where you will be asked to discuss areas of agreement/disagreement between the two.

•You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete thise paper.

Critical reading 

•These 40 marks will be awarded for applying critical reading, knowledge and understanding.
•This question paper has two Sections- Scots text and critical essay.
•In each Section, you must cover a different genre and cannot use the same text twice.
•Twenty marks will be available for each of the two Sections.
•You will be given 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete  both sections of this paper.
 

Scottish text

•You will apply your skills in understanding, analysis and evaluation to previously studied Scottish literature by answering questions on the work of one Scottish writer.
•Your teacher will choose one genre- drama, poetry or prose.
•There will be one extract from the text you have studied, with questions provided for each Scottish writer on the list.

Scottish text N5 and H differences

•12 marks will be available at N5 and 10 at H for answering detailed questions on the extract.
•A further 8 marks (N5) or 10 marks (H) will be available for answering one question requiring a broader knowledge of rest of the novel or play, or other short stories or poems by the writer.
•In the final question you can answer the in either a series of linked statements, or in bullet points.

Critical essay 

•You will apply your understanding, analysis and evaluation skills to previously studied texts that your teacher has selected from the following contexts: drama, prose, poetry, by writing one critical essay.
•Several questions will be provided for each genre, but you should select only one.

Spoken Language Unit

An essential component of the course is the Spoken Language Unit.  This is a group discussion which will assess both your talking and listening skills.

This aspect of the course will but will be observed through classroom interactions and formal assessment– so make sure you are an active participant!

 

SQA quick links 

Course specification 

National 5

Higher

Past papers all levels 

Past papers