August 1 2010
Higher Geography Homepage
Please note that as of now, Higher Geography is marked in whole marks only. This means that each tick now represents one whole mark, and the total marks for the question papers and each individual question have been doubled from those published prior to session 2007/2008. The Higher Geography exemplification materials on this website illustrate the current marks allocations.
SQA Documents
The Conditions and Arrangements for Higher can be accessed in a new window from the following link: Link to Higher Conditions and Arrangements document.
The Principal Assessor Report is published each year, it contains useful information about the exam, e.g. areas of the exam which candidates struggled with. This year's Principal Assessor Report can be accessed in a new window from the following link: Link to External Assessment Report.
Aim
The principal aim of the Higher level Course in Geography is that, by using the concepts and techniques of geographical analysis, candidates develop a detailed understanding of aspects of the contemporary world which are of concern to all citizens.
Course structure
This Course has three mandatory Units:
- Geography: Physical Environments
- Geography: Human Environments
- Geography: Environmental Interactions
Assessment
To achieve the Course award, the candidate must pass the Units as well as the Course assessment. The candidate’s grade is based on the Course assessment.
The key elements of the Course are to develop:
- an understanding of the ways in which people and the environment interact in response to physical and human processes at local, national and international scales
- an awareness of spatial relationships and an understanding of the changing world in a balanced and critical way
- general skills of research, analysis and evaluation techniques and terminology to extract, analyse, interpret and explain geographical phenomena
- expertise in the use of a range of maps, diagrams, statistical techniques and new technology, to process and communicate information
External Assessment
The Course assessment consists of two question papers. The papers are out of 100 marks each and are equally weighted.
