How is English assessed?
How is English assessed?
It is important to note that in Standard Grade English there are no distinct Foundation, General and Credit courses. Classes are arranged broadly in ability groups but a degree of flexibility is maintained. In all cases, no final decision about the level of presentation will be taken until well into Fourth Year.
There are three main areas of assessment:
It is important to note that in Standard Grade English there are no distinct Foundation, General and Credit courses. Classes are arranged broadly in ability groups but a degree of flexibility is maintained. In all cases, no final decision about the level of presentation will be taken until well into Fourth Year.
There are three main areas of assessment:
1. Talk - both individual presentation and group discussion. A grade is awarded by the class teacher and moderated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The grade depends on the quality of the pupil?s performance over a number of assessments spread throughout the course. It accounts for one third of the overall award.
2. A folio of course work is submitted to the Scottish Qualifications Authority for external marking. This consists of a pupil?s best five pieces of work over S3 and S4; two extended writing pieces and three responses to literature. Grades awarded depend on the quality of the pupil performance. The folio accounts for one third of the overall award.
3. An external examination in fourth year is held involving close reading and writing. The close reading examination is the only area of Standard Grade English where there are separate Foundation, General and Credit papers. All pupils attempt General reading and either Credit or Foundation, as appropriate. There is one writing paper and the grade awarded depends on the pupil?s performance. Exam grades account for one third of the overall award.
Grades 1 & 2 represent performance at Credit level, Grades 3 & 4 are a General level, and Grades 5 & 6 are the Foundation award.
Reading, Writing and Talk carry equal weighting in relation to the overall grade.
Reading, Writing and Talk carry equal weighting in relation to the overall grade.
Since the completion of course work (in reading, writing and talk) contributes two thirds to the final award in fourth year, it is important that pupils work consistently and attend regularly throughout the two year course, in order to maximise their potential.
It is important, also, to realise that work and grades from Third Year can be used for the final folio. This means that Fourth Year standards in marking are applied in grading third year work but it also underlines the importance of working hard in S3.
Pupils continuing into S5 National Qualification courses will be allocated to such courses based on their Standard Grade performance. Normally an overall Grade 1 or 2 will be required for entrance to the Higher course; Grade 3 for Intermediate 2: and Grades 4 or 5 for Intermediate 1.
It is important, also, to realise that work and grades from Third Year can be used for the final folio. This means that Fourth Year standards in marking are applied in grading third year work but it also underlines the importance of working hard in S3.
Pupils continuing into S5 National Qualification courses will be allocated to such courses based on their Standard Grade performance. Normally an overall Grade 1 or 2 will be required for entrance to the Higher course; Grade 3 for Intermediate 2: and Grades 4 or 5 for Intermediate 1.