This year preliminary examinations for S4, S5 and S6 will take place during a 3 week diet starting in January 2014.
Information for each year group issued via 'pupil post' is indicated below along with the relevant examination timetables.
- S4 pupils - click here
- S5/S6 pupils - click here
S4 Pupils - TIMETABLE
The preliminary examinations are designed to give pupils a taste for what they will experience in the finals in May. It also allows staff, pupils and parents to assess progress, and identify areas for development in the coming months.
It is worth pointing out that the majority of National 4 qualifications do not have an external examination; therefore a prelim is not necessary.
As has always been the case, S4 pupils do not get study leave at prelim time, and are expected to be in classes when they are not in an examination.
Pupils who qualify for additional arrangements in these examinations will also receive a personalised timetable, to follow.
In the past prelim evidence was crucial for the appeals process. As of this session the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has changed this process. Evidence from assessments, including prelims, will only be considered where a pupil misses the final exam as a result of illness, or some other circumstance beyond their control. For all other pupils who perform below the standard expected there is the opportunity for the paper in question to be checked for either administrative or marking errors. We will send out a more detailed guide to appeals around the time of the examinations in May, but if you are interested to find out more before then I would suggest you visit the SQA website, where you will find a comprehensive guide to the new appeals process.
I appreciate that this is a very testing time for pupils and parents alike. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Likewise, if there are any practical issues with the examination timetable, please contact us as soon as possible.
S Illingworth
Depute Head Teacher
S5/S6 Pupils - TIMETABLE
The preliminary examinations are designed to give pupils a taste for what they will experience in the finals in May. It also allows staff, pupils and parents to assess progress, and identify areas for development in the coming months.
For the first time S4, S5 and S6 will be sitting their prelims in one diet, running from 13.1.14 – 31.1.14. Those S5/S6 pupils studying National 5 qualifications may have some exams in the first week of the diet. It is worth pointing out that the majority of National 4 qualifications do not have an external examination; therefore a prelim is not necessary.
As has always been the case, S5/S6 pupils get one week of study leave at prelim time. This will run from 20.1.14 – 24.1.14, inclusive. During the final week of examinations (27.1.14 – 31.1.14) pupils are expected to be back in classes when they do not have an exam. Pupils should return to class upon completing an exam.
Pupils who qualify for additional arrangements in these examinations will also receive a personalised timetable, to follow.
In the past prelim evidence was crucial for the appeals process. As of this session the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has changed this process. Evidence from assessments, including prelims, will only be considered where a pupil misses the final exam as a result of illness, or some other circumstance beyond their control. For all other pupils who perform below the standard expected there is the opportunity for the paper in question to be checked for either administrative or marking errors. We will send out a more detailed guide to appeals around the time of the examinations in May, but if you are interested to find out more before then I would suggest you visit the SQA website, where you will find a comprehensive guide to the new appeals process.
I appreciate that this is a very testing time for pupils and parents alike. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Likewise, if there are any practical issues with the examination timetable, particularly where two exams clash, please contact us as soon as possible.
S Illingworth
Depute Head Teacher
