External Examination Procedures

By JR on 26/6/2003

Standard Grade

All pupils are offered the opportunity to be presented for eight Standard Grade courses. These cater for pupils of all abilities. However, in keeping with SEED Circular 3/2001, pupils with specific educational requirements may be offered a more flexible curricular experience. Although there continues to be a formal examination at the end of the two-year course and although Fourth Year pupils have "prelim"examinations in December, it is important to note that classwork, project work, assignments and other assessable work attempted over the course have a significant place in forming the final overall grade received by each pupil in each subject.

Higher and Intermediate 2 Grades

The timescale for these one-year courses is very tight and that, plus the standard of these courses, makes their successful completion in one year a demanding task. Pupils gaining Grades 3 or 4 in Standard Grade may attempt an Intermediate 2 course in S5 with a view to tackling Higher in S6.

"Prelim"examinations take place in February to March but Unit assessments also influence pupils' chances. To pass a course, pupils must pass ALL Unit assessments AND the external examinations. Throughout the year, Guidance interviews take place when pupils (and their parents) are involved in discussions with the school about appropriate presentations and then the Scottish Qualifications Authority is given final information about those pupils who will be presented in each subject. Our whole reason for being is to nurture the talents of our pupils towards the greatest possible success: equally we will be realistic where a pupil is significantly out of touch with a subject in recommending non-presentation for that subject.

Access 3 and Intermediate 1 Grades

The Higher and Intermediate 2 courses are complemented by courses at Intermediate 1 which may be attempted by pupils gaining Grades 5 or 6 at Standard Grade. Pupils succeeding in these courses may progress to Intermediate 2 courses in S6. Access 3 courses are intended for pupils who gained Grade 7 in Standard Grade or who followed a specialised course in S3 and S4 to assist with specific learning difficulties. A very small number of pupils may be offered the opportunity to participate in Access 2 courses.

Advanced Higher

The final level of external examination is open to Sixth Year pupils studying courses at the highest level. In Perth High School, these courses have been available in many subjects across the curriculum from Session 2000-01 onwards. The academic demands made upon candidates in Advanced Higher are considerable: candidates face a demanding timescale (much as in Higher) and a terminal examination of a very high standard. S6 students are required to take at least three courses.

» About the School Index
» PHS Online Home