Higher Modern Studies
Higher Modern Studies is marked out of 110: Paper 1 (52 marks), Paper 2 (28 marks) and the assignment (30 marks). Both papers are on Wednesday 26 May 2027.
- Paper 109:00 to 10:45
- Paper 211:15 to 12:30
What grade is my mark?
Type a total mark to see the grade it would have got.
How the A and C boundaries have moved
Boundaries as a share of the total marks. A lower line means the papers were judged harder that year. Qualifications Scotland publishes boundaries from 2022 in this format.
| Year | Out of | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 110 | 77 | 65 | 53 | 41 |
| 2025 | 110 | 77 | 65 | 54 | 42 |
| 2024 | 110 | 76 | 64 | 53 | 41 |
| 2023 | 80 | 54 | 45 | 36 | 27 |
| 2022 | 80 | 51 | 42 | 33 | 24 |
Paper structure
Higher Modern Studies has two papers and an assignment, for 110 marks in total.
Paper 1 lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and is worth 52 marks. You write one 20-mark answer on Democracy in Scotland and the UK. You write another 20-mark answer on your social issues topic. You finish with one 12-mark answer on your international topic.
Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 28 marks. All three questions are compulsory:
- drawing and supporting conclusions from sources (10 marks)
- detecting and explaining the degree of objectivity (10 marks)
- evaluating the reliability of three sources (8 marks)
In 2027 Paper 1 is on Wednesday 26 May, 9am to 10:45am. Paper 2 runs from 11:15am to 12:30pm.
Options studied
Democracy covers how Scotland is governed and the effects of leaving the EU. It also covers accountability, electoral systems, voting behaviour and pressure groups. Social issues is either Social inequality or Crime and the law. International issues is either World powers, a G20 country other than the UK, or World issues.
The assignment
You pick any contemporary Modern Studies issue and research it for about 8 hours. You then write it up in one sitting of 1 hour 30 minutes. A research sheet of up to two A4 sides comes in with you. It is not marked, but it must be submitted.
The 2025 course report praised assignments that used sources well for analysis and synthesis. The weakest copied memorised source material with no comment of their own.
Lessons from the 2025 course report
Strong answers included Brexit essays that weighed advantages and disadvantages. Inequality answers that cited specific policies, like the National Living Wage and Universal Credit, also did well.
Weaker answers had clear patterns:
- generic, dated or inaccurate accounts of how Scotland could be governed
- world issues answers focused on one country's domestic impact, not the international picture
- reliability answers that assumed a recent source must be reliable
The report advised using recent, accurate examples. It also asked candidates to state sources and dates clearly in the assignment.
In 2025, an A needed 77 out of 110, a B 65 and a C 54.
Working with past papers
Paper 2 questions follow fixed formats, so past papers are ideal practice. Use the marking instructions to see how evidence from within and between sources is credited.
For Paper 1, plan 20-mark answers in five minutes, then write against the clock. Check that each paragraph includes analysis, not just description.
Revision checklist
Tick topics as you revise. Ticks are saved on this device only.
- Practise each Paper 2 question type with past papers and marking instructions
- Link evidence within and between sources when drawing conclusions
- Judge reliability on authorship, purpose and evidence, not only on date
- Update case study examples so they are current and accurate
- Plan and write a 20-mark Paper 1 answer in about 40 minutes
- Revise electoral systems with strengths and weaknesses of each
- Keep your international answers focused on international impact
- Prepare a two-sided research sheet with dated, named sources
- Rehearse the assignment write-up in a single 1 hour 30 minute sitting
Quick answers
- How many marks is Higher Modern Studies out of?
110. Paper 1 is worth 52 marks, Paper 2 is worth 28 marks and the assignment is worth 30.
- What questions are in Higher Modern Studies Paper 2?
Three source-based questions: conclusions (10 marks), objectivity (10 marks) and reliability (8 marks). All are compulsory.
- What can I take into the Higher Modern Studies assignment?
A Modern Studies research sheet of up to two A4 sides. It is not marked but must be handed in with your write-up.
- When is the Higher Modern Studies exam in 2027?
Wednesday 26 May 2027. Paper 1 runs from 9am to 10:45am and Paper 2 from 11:15am to 12:30pm.