Seniors: What's in the exam?

Here is a summary of what to expect in your exams. More detailed information can be found through the SQA website and the BBC Bitesize website - links for both of these are to the right.

Standard Grade
Writing Exam
You have 1 hour 15 minutes for this exam. You must write one essay. Read through the questions in the booklet and choose one to write about.

Reading Exam
You will sit two reading papers, either General & Foundation or General & Credit. Each paper lasts for 50 minutes. In each exam, read the passage carefully and try to answer all of the questions.

Intermediate One
Close Reading
You have 45 minutes for this exam. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions which follow. Try to use your own words unless you are asked to quote from the passage. This paper is worth 30 marks.

Critical Essay
You have 45 minutes for this exam. You must write one essay. The exam paper is divided into sections: Prose, Drama, Poetry, Film & TV Drama and Language. Pick a question that fits a text you have been studying (most likely you will have studied texts for the prose, drama or poetry sections). You essay is worth a maximum of 25 marks.

Intermediate Two
Close Reading
You have 1 hour for this exam. Read the passage carefully and then answer all the questions, using your own words as far as possible. This paper is worth 30 marks.

Critical Essays
You have 1 hour 30 minutes for this exam. You must write two essays. The exam paper is divided into sections: Prose, Drama, Poetry, Film & TV Drama and Language. You may not answer two questions from one section - i.e. you cannot write two essays for the Drama section. Each essay is worth a maximum of 25 marks.

Higher
Close Reading
You have 1 hour 30 minutes for this exam. Read the passage(s) carefully and then answer all the questions, using your own words as far as possible. This paper is worth 50 marks.

Critical Essays
You have 1 hour 30 minutes for this exam. You must write two essays. The exam paper is divided into sections: Prose, Drama, Poetry, Film & TV Drama and Language. You may not answer two questions from one section. Each essay is worth a maximum of 25 marks.