Application of maths v maths nat5

[Twix42]

Hi hoping for some help in understanding!!

DD has just started S4, and says she is in the top set for maths, she says she has 'done' Nat5 application of maths (life skills) and is now just starting Nat5 maths. She doesn't appear to have a grade or certificate or anything to prove this.
Does this sound right?

Other parents I know say their child is just starting Nat 5 life skills - Application of maths, now (in S4).

Can someone explain the difference in the courses to me?
Why are there 2 courses and is there a point to it? Is application of maths of less value?
I am so confused, as my own experience was with 1 GCSE maths course taken in 5th year in England LOL
Please be gentle!!
Thanks 😊

Never heard of the first one. Dd just did Maths at Nat5.

N5 Application of Maths (in the normal not 2020 world) involves an SQA 2 paper exam . But theoretically if the school had gathered a body of evidence and had been doing early presentation in S3 the estimated grade could be submitted, as is happening with all candidates this year.

I would think though that you would have known that early presentation was taking place and Prelims would have happened to give exam experience.

DD4 was a C in prelim in S4 so was presented for N5 Maths and N5 Applications as she was borderline and risked no Numeracy qualification if she'd failed straight Maths.

I'd say they have decided she'd have no problem at N5 Maths in S4. Hope this makes sense .

Thanks Lidlfix, that does make sense, its just the first Ive heard of it! Have been unable to meet her maths teacher since she started high school!! (over subscribed at parents evening 😒)

Also, is it normal for them to only have 6 Nat 5 subjects in S4? Seems few compared to friends with kids at other HS in different areas.
She's doing maths English physics biology history and geography..

Just wondering if that sounds ok?!
Thanks so much😊

Dd sat 7 Nat5s in S4 and 5 highers in S5. My nephew sat 8 Nat5s at a different school in a different council area. Depends on the school really.

There is no normal, which is a massive and contentious issues in Scottish education. 5-8 which is a vast difference. Some schools don't do N5 at all and present straight to Highers in S5. I hope that's under reconsideration after this year. I shudder to think of candidates entering S6 who haven't set foot into an exam hall or going to uni entirely on teacher professional judgement . Next year's exams are already being looked at as we don't know what schools will look like next year

Thanks again for explaining Lidlfix appreciate it 👍
I think I just need to chill and wait and see what happens.
DD not worried about anything!

Happy to help. Education and the SQA years are complex issues. That's DD4 of 4 embarking on S6 and bringing my school years to an end . Well as a parent anyway

Ahh I'm just starting this journey 😊
I have another 2Dcs to go..
Its a steep learning curve and that's just for me 😂

Ds just finished S4 and is in the top set for maths. His teacher suggested to them they also do Application of Maths as they had finished Maths, just had to revise, and could do it no problem in a couple of weeks (for the parts that were application of maths specific) and they would have an extra Nat5.

So they all were registered for the exam, then lockdown happened before they covered it. They have had no specific Application of maths lessons, no prelim, so no specific 'evidence'. ds did a past paper and got >90%. No idea what will happen with his estimated grade.