National 5 History
Course Specification (28/05/2025)
Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- National 5 History course specification May 2024
- Sònrachadh Cùrsa Nàiseanta 5 Eachdraidh - An Cèitean 2025
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- National 5 History specimen question paper August 2024
- National 5 History specimen question paper (gaelic translation) June 2025
2021
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
- National 5 History question paper (405 KB)
- National 5 History marking instructions (1.09 MB)
- National 5 Eachdraidh question paper (280 KB)
Coursework
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.
- History Coursework assessment task for National 5
July 2019 - History Coursework assessment task for National 5 (Gaelic Translation)
November 2019 - History Assignment Resource Sheet for Printing (Gaelic Medium)
January 2018 - History Assignment Resource Sheet (Gaelic Medium)
January 2018 - History Assignment Resource Sheet
October 2017 - History Assignment Resource Sheet for Printing
October 2017 - Guidance on conditions of assessment
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (05/12/2024)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Course assessment overview
Webinar (recording 1 November 2024): course assessment from session 2024-2025
- Download webinar
- Webinar Q and A (138 KB)
Webinar (recording 1 December 2021): Question Paper from session 2021-2022
- Download webinar
- Webinar Q and A (138 KB)
- Webinar Reference Library (8.67 MB)
Audio Presentation
Changes to understanding standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Additional Resources session 2020-22
Please note: Additional resources published during sessions 2020-2022 are currently under review. Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website.
Course reports (27/11/2024)
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
- 2024 National 5 History course report November 2024
- 2023 National 5 History course report September 2023
- 2022 National 5 History course report September 2022
Ushare open learning resources
Related Information
Contact Information
- Candidate and General Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000