From The Student Room

TSR Wiki > Study Help > Exams and Qualifications > More Qualifications > Scottish Higher

---

What is Higher Still?

Higher Still is a system of educational qualifications that were introduced by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in 2000.

The system has a number of different levels;

Access 2 and 3; Basic, entry level qualifications

Intermediate 1

Intermediate 2

Highers; Required for entry to Universities

Advanced Highers; Required for entry to high-competition courses such as Medicine, Vet Med and Dentistry, or for level-2 entry to Scottish Universities.

Each level is offered in a variety of subjects.

What is Higher equivalent to in the English exam system?

Highers are considered to be slightly more advanced than an AS Level.

---

--Nathanm 19:09, 4 October 2006 (BST)

Course Summaries

Below are general summaries of the most popular Higher courses (English, Maths, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, History, Geography, Modern Studies and French)

English

The final exam is worth 100 marks in total and consists of 2 papers:

Paper 1 is a close reading paper, and is worth 50 marks.

Paper 2 presents a choice of essay questions, and the candidate is required to write 2 essays from different sections. Each essay is worth 25 marks.

Mathematics

1. Unit One
a. The straight line
b. Functions
c. Differentiation (basic calculus)
d. Recurrence Relations

2. Unit Two
a. Quadratic Theory
b. Integration (basic calculus)
c. Calculations in 3 dimensions and compound angle formulae
d. The circle

3. Unit Three
a. Vectors
b. Further differentiation and integration (further calculus)
c. The wave function

To study maths at higher, it is recommended that you have a Credit pass at standard grade or an A or B at int2

The final exam is worth 130marks and is split into 2 papers:

Paper 1 is 'non-calculator' is worth 70 marks and consists 2 sections.

Section A, which consists of 20 multichoice questions worth 2 marks each.

Section B, which is worth 30 marks in total.

Paper 2 allows the use of calculators. And is worth 60 marks.

Chemistry

1. Energy matters
a. A look at the enthalpy of combustion, solution, etc
b. A look at hydrogen and Van der Waal's attractions in the atom

2. The world of carbon
a. A look at carbon compounds

3. Chemical reactions
a. A look at processes in a chemical reaction such as equilibrium

For each unit, there are 3 prescribed practical abilities (PPA's) One of the Unit One PPA's must be passed and submitted to the SQA when the school is being moderated.

The final exam is 2.5 hours long and is separated into two sections, one multiple choice and one extended answer questions, where short written answers/calculations are required

To study higher chemistry, it is recommended you have a minimum of a 2 (KU2, PS2) at standard grade or a B at intermediate two

Human Biology

1. Cell Function and Inheritance

• the role of enzymes in cell metabolisms
• protein synthesis
• energy transfer
• cellular response in defence
• inheritance

2. The Continuation of Life

• reproduction
• development
• transport mechanisms
• delivery of materials to cells
• removal of materials from the blood
• regulating mechanisms

3. Behaviour, populations and the environment

• nervous system and memory
• behaviour
• population growth and the environment

This is a brief summary of the Human Biology course.

Physics

History

Geography

Modern Studies

French