Exam Preparation

National 5 Drama – Advice to parents and carers from staff

The Written exam- (50 Marks and sat in May/June within the SQA diet)

Section 1- students will answer a series of questions on their practical exam text

• Read the play they are studying for section 1. This text which will be provided by the school.
• Ask them questions about the section 1 play.

Section 2- students will be asked to create a play based on a selection of unseen stimuli.

• Offer to test them on their flashcards which they will have hard copies of but will also be on their one note

The Practical Exam- (60 Marks (May/June in SQA diet)

• Test them on their lines and read in for the other character so they can practise their cues
• Ask them questions such as-  who their character is, what their motivation is in the scene, and how their character feels about the other character

Further Information: N5 Drama

Higher Drama – Advice to parents and carers from staff

The Written exam- (50 Marks and sat in May/June within the SQA diet)

Section 1- students will have studied a text and they must write an essay showing their understanding backed up with quotes from the play

• Read the play they are studying for section 1. This text which will be provided by the school.
• Ask them questions about the section 1 play (themes, key characters, conflict, key moments)

Section 2- students will analyse a production they have seen. They must write an essay  demonstrating their understanding of the play backed up with the director’s decisions.

• Watch the play online using the students log in and discuss this with them, pausing it throughout to ask them what the director is trying to communicate.

The Practical Exam- (60 Marks (May/June in SQA diet)

Students will learn 2 acting pieces, each 10 minutes long

• Test them on their lines and read in for the other character so they can practise their cues
• Ask them questions such as-  who their character is, what their motivation is in the scene, and how their character feels about the other character

Further Information: Higher Drama

Advanced Higher Drama – Advice to parents and carers from staff

Project: Assignment (20 Marks, completed in class time in October) students will analyse a play they have seen and write an essay on this demonstrating the director’s approach

• Watch the play online using the students log in and discuss this with them, pausing it throughout to ask them what the director is trying to communicate.

Project: Dissertation (30 Marks, completed as coursework over the session) students will choose their own topic

• Ask them about the topic they have chosen,
• Pose questions such as; what is it you find interesting about this? What research have you done on this? What argument are you putting forward? What evidence have you got to support your argument?

The Practical Exam- (50 Marks, performed to an examiner in March/April)

Students will perform a 3 min monologue and a 20 min duologue.

• Test them on the lines for their monologue
• Read in for the other character in their duologue so they can practise their lines and cues

Further Information: AH Drama