National 5 and Higher

[Rocy]

Hello

Hope you all well. I wish to ask WHEN and HOW students take National 5 and Higher in secondary schools in Scotland? Do these exam take place in students own schools or publicly at particular date?

Furthermore, what solution available to student if the school doesn't offered the subject they wish to attempt in National 5 or Higher, eg student wants to attempt Biology but the school can't offer the subject?

Sorry my question may be a bit silly because I am new to Scotland. Thank you so much!

I think you should post this in Scotsnet as you will get more replies.

Both my DCs went through the Scottish educational system.

If your school doesn't offer a subject, you may have the chance of travelling to another school to do this. I've not heard of this done for Nat 5 though as. Most schools offer a range of subjects at this level.

The exams are held in the school. My own DC studied Nat 5 French outside of school (his school only allowed six Nat 5s so this allowed him to take an extra one) and they arranged him to take the exam in the school with others. I also know of a student who took Latin Nat 5 at the school, although the school definitely didn't offer this so there may be some flexibility.

Please post in Scotsnet though as you will have more qualified people advising there.

National 5s (in secondary 4 year) Highers (secondary 5) and Advanced Highers ( secondary 6) in each subject the school offers are held on the same day of the year at every high school with independent invigilators in attendance. Scotland only has one exam board.

Although some children go to university with Highers alone directly from S5, it's increasingly common for kids to stay and do Advanced Highers and possibly additional Highers in S6.If the aim is to study academic subjects such as medicine, dentistry, law etc at a good university in Scotland ( and definitely in England) this will usually require three advanced Highers at good grades (together with good grades at Higher ( usually five Highers) and 6-8 Nat 5s).
You need to select the secondary school carefully. They vary greatly in quality and outcomes and some won't offer the spread of subjects you want or need if you wish to study medicine at university for example - ideally need chance to do three sciences at school. There's no guarantee that it will be easy to do a subject elsewhere if the school don't offer it.

...if the school doesn't offer it!

Some schools have children sit one or two nat 5s in 3rd year. Schools will often have an agreement with another school around less popular subjects so pupils would travel if necessary. Pupils can also attend college whilst still at school for a subject. Most people go to their local school, unlike in England where you search around. You automatically get a place at your catchment school and only need to put in a placement request if you want a different one for any reason. There are a handful of specialist schools for music and dance and some other schools may have specialisms such as a sport. There are non- denominational schools and Roman Catholic schools. Some Independent schools may do A levels instead.

Nat 5s sat in S4 and Highers in S5 & S6. Advanced highers S6.
All sat in school.

For higher and Adv higher there's usually an arrangement for child to take a subject at another school or college if own school doesn't offer it. I've not heard of this happening for Nat5 though as most schools will cover all the mainstream subjects.

As PP said if you post on Scotsnet you'll get plenty replies and someone may have experience of taking Nat5 elsewhere

Thank you so much, the suggestion are very helpful to me.

Hi there I was looking for some advice my son is choosing his national 5 subjects but I'm very confused as he's not really sure what he wants to do yet. Will it be wise to choose 3 sciences or will that be difficult ??