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Original poster

Nat 5 / Higher

15 replies

WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 24/01/2023 23:19

Parents evening last week and DC in S3 is making choices. We were advised he could skip nat5 for a subject and do his higher at the end of S4. This is a state school in not a great area - is this mad or actually possible? It feels like a lot of pressure tho he's very talented in this subject. Any advice?

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Aurea · 25/01/2023 06:30

My son did two highers in S4 (alongside five Nat 5s) a couple of years ago. One in music, the other in maths.

Music is a common higher to do early in our (state) school for the musically gifted. The kids are taught together in a nat 5/higher/advanced higher composite class so a decision on the level of qualification can be made later on in the year.

What subject is it for?

Original poster
WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 25/01/2023 20:54

Yes it's music. Found out today that they are moving the maths classes around so it's also likely they'll do higher maths as well. Just worried it's a lot of pressure in S4 as they are one of the youngest in the year.

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Aurea · 25/01/2023 21:02

If you take highers early in S4, the qualifications count as one sitting for uni applications so it's a real advantage if they can get still get top grades. Allowances are not made for an early qualifications if grades are dropped though.

Original poster
WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 25/01/2023 21:32

That's really helpful - thank you. That's what I'm worried about, what if they don't achieve what they are predicted and crash out? It sounds great if they do achieve it though.

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Aurea · 26/01/2023 09:23

Yes. It is a risk. My two were sitting at grade 7 in two instruments at the time (minimum standard grade 4) which gave some reassurance. They both achieved 100% in the practical components which is worth 60% of the whole mark.

Flossieflamingo · 26/01/2023 17:05

My son did Higher maths in S4, now doing advanced Higher maths along with 4 Highers in S5. He was one of only two that did this and they were taught Higher in a N5 class, so it’s definitely possible.
My only comment would be that I don’t actually think it is of any great advantage to take exams early. My son was just very bored in maths and this was the suggested additional support.

HufflepuffRavenclaw · 26/01/2023 17:52

If it counts as one sitting for UCAS then yes advantageous. My concern would be what they would be doing in S5 when the rest of the year (or most of them) are doing maths in that timetabling "column".

DS is in S3 and he has a child (with a maths teacher dad) who did Nat 5 maths in S2 and has just sat H Maths prelim in S3. Nobody's very sure what they are going to do with him in S4 when everyone else is in Maths and he;s already got his Higher.

Aurea · 26/01/2023 18:29

One of my sons took higher maths in S4, advanced higher maths in S5 (both with A1 grades) and is now doing four advanced highers in S6 (including mechanics and physics to keep his maths skills up-to-date). He is the first in his school to do this so it's a bit of a risk, I guess. However, I think as long as they keep doing some form of maths in S6 this shouldn't be detrimental for uni application. He's in the process of applying for computer science.

Flossieflamingo · 26/01/2023 19:43

Yes- definitely think about what your child will do maths wise in S5/6.
My son is planning to do advanced higher mechanics with the 3 sciences to keep up his maths skills in S6. The school should be able to tell you what options they can offer. Mechanics is self taught in our school but overlaps with physics and AH maths.
A few people have suggested that some universities may not consider a 4 H and 1 AH as “5 Highers in one sitting” but there is a statement on Edinburgh Uni website that makes me think that is probably not the case. But something to consider/ask
about.

MichaelFabricantWig · 26/01/2023 22:26

Don’t know about music but N5 to higher generally is a big BIG jump. My son got 7 As at Nat 5, mainly band 1, and those results have not been replicated in higher prelims!

Original poster
WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 23/02/2023 02:14

Thanks for all the advice. He's scoring 100% in his assessments for Music and Maths (scoring top grades for his other subjects too) and is a December baby so young for his year. That's a good point about what they offer in 6th year if he's ahead already. We have a meeting after the Easter holiday to decide con the best course of action

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horseymum · 26/02/2023 08:53

Music is one of the subjects that if you are learning an instrument from scratch on starting high school or even when starting the nat 5 course, it will be really hard to get to grade 3 ish. But if you have been learning an instrument since mid primary, the level is really easy and the listening paper shouldn't be too tricky either so I would be fine with them doing it earlier.

gawditswindy · 26/02/2023 22:30

I'd imagine there'll be a safety net (n5 or n5 units for example) if it turns out by prelim time that he's not quite achieving as they'd hoped.

Original poster
WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 26/02/2023 23:45

@horseymum that's good to know. 4 instruments have been played since mid primary, fifth one picked up in S1 so hopefully it'll be ok

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Original poster
WhenAGrapeIsBorn · 26/02/2023 23:47

@gawditswindy yup that's what I was wondering. Will see what the meeting after Easter brings.

Thanks to everyone for the support and knowledge!

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