National 4 Computing Science
Course Specification
This explains the overall structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- Computing Science Course Specification
June 2015
Unit Specifications
These provide an outline of what each Unit will cover within the following Unit Specifications and detail the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
Added Value Unit Specification
These define the mandatory requirements for the Added Value Unit, including the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
They also include the further mandatory information on Course coverage for the National 4 Course and include information on the assessment method to be used and the conditions of assessment.
Added Value Unit Assessment
The Computing Science Added Value Unit assessment is an assignment. It is supported by SQA-devised detailed instructions and electronic files, so centres should not normally make any changes to the assessment.
In the assessment, candidates are required to analyse a given problem and design and implement a solution using both an appropriate web authoring package and programming software, and to test and report on the solution.
Centres can choose from a bank of these assessments, available from September 2013. Centres can access the assessments through their SQA Co-ordinator.
As with all SQA Unit assessments, Added Value Unit assessments must be internally verified by centres.
Course and Unit Support Notes
These provide advice and guidance for teachers/lecturers on learning, teaching and assessment within the Course and its Units.
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Unit Assessment Support
These documents contain details of Unit assessment task(s), show approaches to gathering evidence and how the evidence can be judged against the Outcomes and Assessment Standards. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these confidential documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.
Verification and Course reports
Understanding Standards
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Examples of candidate evidence and commentaries for unit assessment can be found on the SQA Secure Site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.