Pupils in Scotland could face exam chaos because several study guides for the country’s new qualifications are yet to go on sale.
Nationals were brought in to replace Standard Grades and Intermediates as part of the Curriculum for Excellence. This April, students in their fourth year of secondary school will become the first to sit the new exams. But concerns have been raised about their ability to prepare after a delay in publishing practice papers and assessment aids.
The booklets, produced by firms approved by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA), are used by pupils to support their learning. Teachers hoped the publications would help reduce some of the uncertainty they have over teaching new National exams. But some titles are due to go on sale just days before or even after exams for the subjects they cover.
Alan McKenzie, of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: “Our members have complained that the SQA has only produced one specimen exam paper for each of the National subjects. They take a belt and braces approach to preparation which is why many of them are so keen to get a hold of these guides.”
He added: “The National exams start in April, yet many of these books are still to be published. Some teachers have prepared prelims without being able to refer to them. The general picture is one of complete concern by our members.”
The warning over the lack of study aids is the latest controversy to hit the National exams, which will be sat by 54,000 15 and 16-year-olds. Earlier this month a survey revealed school staff are unhappy about a lack of support from the SQA.
It also found teachers have had little time to adapt their techniques to suit the new exams and are struggling to understand the purpose of the changes to the qualifications.
Publisher Leckie and Leckie are among the firms which produce guides and study aids. Its National 5 Chemistry practice papers booklet has an “estimated” publication date of May 4 even though the exam takes place just eight days later.
The papers for National 5 History are set to hit the shops on April 7, exactly a month before the exam. But History course notes are not due to be published until June 4, four weeks after.
Meanwhile, Hodder Education is set to publish How To Pass National 5 Music on April 25, despite the exam taking place on May 2. Similarly, its National 4 and 5 guide to Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies is due to be published on April 25, even though the exam is the following day.
A spokesman for teaching union EIS, said: “The timetable for publication of the relevant course and exam information by Government agencies has inevitably caused difficulty and delay for publishers in finalising the supporting course materials.”
One of the publishers involved described the delays as “regrettable”. Peter Dennis, of Leckie and Leckie, said the firm’s authors had “little time given between the publication of the official final course specifications and specimen exam papers and the start of the new courses”.
He said “the slippage of some publication dates from their original intended release is regrettable” and its books would be out as soon as possible.
Hodder Education was contacted for a comment but did not respond.
A spokesman for the SQA said it had published specimen exam papers in February 2013 as well as a “significant amount of other support and materials”.
He added: “We continue to listen to teachers’ comments, identifying where additional support is needed and offering extra help where necessary.”
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