Intermediate 2
Encyclopedia
Intermediate 2 level is Level 5 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
. Though equivalent to the Credit Level Standard Grade, there is an element of debate to this as it is perceived to be more difficult in some subjects, but less in others.
It was initially available to pupils (generally in S5) who achieved a grade 3 or 4 Standard Grade but, with some schools choosing to use Intermediates over Standard Grade, it is now more available to S3/S4 pupils (dependent upon the school or individual departments within schools choice). It is believed that in certain subjects Intermediates are more useful to the students than Standard Grades because the work required for completion is more demanding, and better prepares the pupils for Higher, with a similar format to the reformed higher exams. Furthermore the pupils are introduced to Higher work before they have sat their Intermediate 2 exam which also makes the transition easier (again this is very much dependent upon the subject).
The Intermediate 2 courses are generally made up of 3 national units, the main exceptions are English, Physics, and French, with mandatory internal assessments in each. The courses all consist of 40 hours. Mandatory passes are needed in the internal assessments or NAB's National Assessment Bank
to gain the overall Course Award. However internal assessments are minimum competence, and so many schools have introduced end-of-unit assessments to help stop complacency.
As with other exams in the Higher Still curriculum, the grades pupils can receive in the final exam are A (usually about 70%+), B (usually about 60%+), a C (usually about 50%+), a D (usually 45%-49%) or a Fail (below 45%).
Pupils also sit preliminary exams (more commonly referred to as "Prelims" or, in some schools, "Mocks") before the final exams usually sat in December or January. These exams are held under exam conditions and are intended to be more challenging than the final exam and to help prepare them for it. If the pupil passes the Prelim of a certain subject, it can be used as an appeal if they fail to attend, or achieve their expected grade in the final exam.
The next level of education provided in Scotland are the "Highers
"
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland...
. Though equivalent to the Credit Level Standard Grade, there is an element of debate to this as it is perceived to be more difficult in some subjects, but less in others.
It was initially available to pupils (generally in S5) who achieved a grade 3 or 4 Standard Grade but, with some schools choosing to use Intermediates over Standard Grade, it is now more available to S3/S4 pupils (dependent upon the school or individual departments within schools choice). It is believed that in certain subjects Intermediates are more useful to the students than Standard Grades because the work required for completion is more demanding, and better prepares the pupils for Higher, with a similar format to the reformed higher exams. Furthermore the pupils are introduced to Higher work before they have sat their Intermediate 2 exam which also makes the transition easier (again this is very much dependent upon the subject).
The Intermediate 2 courses are generally made up of 3 national units, the main exceptions are English, Physics, and French, with mandatory internal assessments in each. The courses all consist of 40 hours. Mandatory passes are needed in the internal assessments or NAB's National Assessment Bank
National Assessment Bank
National Assessment Banks, commonly referred to as NABs after the National Assessment Bank from which these assessments are selected by teachers, are internal assessments that form part of the Scottish Higher and Intermediate courses. These are assessed by a centre and are moderated by the SQA...
to gain the overall Course Award. However internal assessments are minimum competence, and so many schools have introduced end-of-unit assessments to help stop complacency.
As with other exams in the Higher Still curriculum, the grades pupils can receive in the final exam are A (usually about 70%+), B (usually about 60%+), a C (usually about 50%+), a D (usually 45%-49%) or a Fail (below 45%).
Pupils also sit preliminary exams (more commonly referred to as "Prelims" or, in some schools, "Mocks") before the final exams usually sat in December or January. These exams are held under exam conditions and are intended to be more challenging than the final exam and to help prepare them for it. If the pupil passes the Prelim of a certain subject, it can be used as an appeal if they fail to attend, or achieve their expected grade in the final exam.
The next level of education provided in Scotland are the "Highers
Higher (Scottish)
In Scotland the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education...
"
Subjects Offered at Intermediate 2
- Accounting
- Administration
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Management
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Drama
- Economics
- English
- English (for speakers of other languages)
- French
- Gaelic (non-native speakers)
- Gàidhlig (native speakers)
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Graphic Communications
- History
- Home Economics: Fashion and Textile Technology
- Home Economics: Health and Food Technology
- Hospitality: Professional Cookery
- Human Biology
- Information Systems
- Italian
- Latin
- Mandarin Chinese (session 2008/2009)
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Modern Studies
- Music
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Product Design
- Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
- Russian
- Spanish