Supporting study

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 06/06/2023

Preparing for assessments

Exams and coursework are planned to take place in 2023, as they did in 2022.

For 2023, SQA has kept the changes it made to exams and coursework in response to the disruption to learning and teaching caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These changes are called ‘modifications’ and they vary by subject and level. The purpose of these modifications is to reduce the volume of assessment and ease teacher, lecturer and learner workload, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the qualifications.

Your child’s teachers or lecturers will advise them on how each of their courses will be assessed. You can also view information on the modifications to assessment on the SQA website.

Useful websites

Revision guides

Past papers and marking instructions

  • Past question papers: Download official SQA National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher past papers and marking instructions. Some of the 2022 past papers are labelled ‘modified’. This means SQA made changes to the question paper as part of its modifications to assessment. These modifications are also in place for 2023. Your child should check with their teacher before using past papers for revising.

Additional support needs/disabilities

  • Children who are disabled and/or have additional support needs can get assessment support when they are studying for National Qualifications. You should contact your child’s school to discuss the different types of support available.
  • SQA can put assessment arrangements in place to support disabled learners or learners with additional support needs during their assessments. View SQA’s assessment arrangement guide for learners..
  • View more information on Digital SQA exam papers and assessments.
  • Dyslexia Scotland has leaflets and information to guide learners when studying and preparing for exams.
  • Support with exams and assessments.

'Nationals in a Nutshell' guides

  • National 4 in a Nutshell - a series of summaries of the National 4 qualifications from the National Parent Forum of Scotland for parents and carers. Please note that the course assignment (added value unit) for National 4 is optional for 2021 to allow more teaching and learning time.
  • National 5 in a Nutshell - a series of summaries of the National 5 qualifications from the National Parent Forum of Scotland for parents and carers. 
  • Highers in a Nutshell – written for parents and carers, these are clear concise guides to Highers. 

Related links

SQA support for parents/carers - Information to help you support your child if they are studying National Qualifications.

SQA support for learners – Information to help children stay informed and prepare for their assessments in 2023.

Support for pupils who are worried about exams on the Reach website.

Supporting study

Published 01/01/2017.  Last updated 06/06/2023

Preparing for assessments

Exams and coursework are planned to take place in 2023, as they did in 2022.

For 2023, SQA has kept the changes it made to exams and coursework in response to the disruption to learning and teaching caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These changes are called ‘modifications’ and they vary by subject and level. The purpose of these modifications is to reduce the volume of assessment and ease teacher, lecturer and learner workload, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the qualifications.

Your child’s teachers or lecturers will advise them on how each of their courses will be assessed. You can also view information on the modifications to assessment on the SQA website.

Useful websites

Revision guides

Past papers and marking instructions

  • Past question papers: Download official SQA National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher past papers and marking instructions. Some of the 2022 past papers are labelled ‘modified’. This means SQA made changes to the question paper as part of its modifications to assessment. These modifications are also in place for 2023. Your child should check with their teacher before using past papers for revising.

Additional support needs/disabilities

  • Children who are disabled and/or have additional support needs can get assessment support when they are studying for National Qualifications. You should contact your child’s school to discuss the different types of support available.
  • SQA can put assessment arrangements in place to support disabled learners or learners with additional support needs during their assessments. View SQA’s assessment arrangement guide for learners..
  • View more information on Digital SQA exam papers and assessments.
  • Dyslexia Scotland has leaflets and information to guide learners when studying and preparing for exams.
  • Support with exams and assessments.

'Nationals in a Nutshell' guides

  • National 4 in a Nutshell - a series of summaries of the National 4 qualifications from the National Parent Forum of Scotland for parents and carers. Please note that the course assignment (added value unit) for National 4 is optional for 2021 to allow more teaching and learning time.
  • National 5 in a Nutshell - a series of summaries of the National 5 qualifications from the National Parent Forum of Scotland for parents and carers. 
  • Highers in a Nutshell – written for parents and carers, these are clear concise guides to Highers. 

Related links

SQA support for parents/carers - Information to help you support your child if they are studying National Qualifications.

SQA support for learners – Information to help children stay informed and prepare for their assessments in 2023.

Support for pupils who are worried about exams on the Reach website.