National 5 Media

Course Specification (03/06/2026)

Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

Session 2026-27 onwards

Session 2025-26

Past Papers and Marking Instructions

Access all past papers by subject/level


Specimen question paper

Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).

Changes have been made to this course following feedback from educators and learners:


Reduced marks for the question paper from 60 to 48 — 38 marks are available for section 1 and 10 marks for section 2.
Reduced the duration of the question paper by 20 minutes from 2 hours to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Removed scaling for the assignment.


We’ve amended the question paper details in the course specification and the specimen question paper. There's no change to teaching and learning. Please inform learners of these changes and update your assessments, for example prelims.
 

Session 2026-27 onwards

Session 2025-26

Coursework (03/06/2026)

This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.

Session 2026-27 onwards

Assignment template

Optional template to download for the submission of the Coursework Assessment Task for National 5 Media. The template sets out the criteria for the assignment in separate boxes. Please note that the size of each box can be amended to suit candidate needs.

Session 2025-26

Guidance on conditions of assessment

Understanding Standards (02/07/2026)

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Further Understanding Standards materials for this subject can be found on Qualifications Scotland secure website and you can access these through your Co-ordinator.

Webinar (recording)

A recording of the National 5 Webinar 13 January 2025 can be found on the Secure site (ask your Co-ordinator) 

Course assessment from session 2022-2023 (17 January 2022)

Course assesment from session 2020-21 (13 January 2020)

Changes to Understanding Standards materials

Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

Course reports (11/09/2025)

Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.

Course Reports

Verification Reports

Ushare open learning resources