Higher Geography 2020/2021 (PDF format, download) [20/17E]

Complete Higher Geography Prelim Paper (160 marks).

This pack contains a full prelim, covering both papers and all sections. Paper 1 (Physical Environments [Section 1: 50 marks] and Human Environments [Section 2: 50 marks], 100 marks, 1 hour and 50 minutes) and Paper 2 (Global Issues [Section 1: 40 marks] and Application of Geographical Skills [Section 2: 20 marks], 60 marks, 1 hour 10 minutes).

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Papers have been updated for 2021 – Paper 1 (100 marks, 1 hour 50 minutes – erosional and depositional features from coastal landscapes will not be assessed) and Paper 2 (40 marks, 50 minutes – Global Issues section will offer all four global issues but candidates will only be asked to answer one question). Content is outlined in SQA’s Modification Summary Report.

The question papers are carefully balanced and closely emulate the national standard. Papers appropriately sample material from the full course (as specified in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section in the SQA’s Course Assessment Specification) to help generate valid, reliable and robust estimates. The detailed marking scheme gives likely candidate responses and full guidance on marks allocations.

As in previous years, the recent SQA Ordnance Survey map extract on which P&N questions are based is given below:

P&N Geography prelim papers are drafted by setters whom we have head-hunted on the basis of their considerable experience of the examination system at appropriate levels. Papers are securely trialled by professionals who “work the papers” to ensure materials are of an appropriate level of demand, balance, etc. and that marking instructions closely reflect current SQA marking standards/marks allocations.

All 2020/2021 P&N papers fully comply with current SQA Arrangements Documents etc. valid for the next SQA examination diet (2021). Our prelim question papers contain completely new material each year and are guaranteed ‘sight unseen’. Papers are independently scrutinised to ensure a high-quality, valid and reliable assessment resource which offers appropriate challenge.

Download P&N Geography Prelims Flyer 2020/2021

(Flyers were finalised and issued to centres before SQA’s 14/8/20 proposed modifications for session 20-21. For an update on P&N’s response, please see our updates)