National 5 Modern Studies
National 5 Modern Studies is an 80-mark exam and a 20-mark assignment, 100 marks in all. The 2027 exam is on Wednesday 26 May, 13:00 to 15:20.
- Question paper13:00 to 15:20
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 | 100 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 |
| 2025 | 100 | 70 | 58 | 47 | 35 |
| 2024 | 100 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 |
| 2023 | 80 | 56 | 47 | 38 | 29 |
| 2022 | 80 | 56 | 46 | 36 | 26 |
Exam structure
The question paper carries 80 marks and lasts 2 hours 20 minutes. It has three sections, and you answer the option your class studied in each one.
- Section 1, democracy: Scotland or the United Kingdom
- Section 2, social issues: social inequality or crime and the law
- Section 3, international issues: a world power or a world issue
Each section has four questions. Three test knowledge and understanding through describe and explain questions. The fourth tests evaluating skills using sources.
The assignment
You choose a contemporary Modern Studies topic, research it and then write it up in 1 hour under supervision. You may bring a Modern Studies research sheet of up to two single-sided A4 pages. The assignment is marked out of 20 and not scaled.
The topic must be a genuine Modern Studies issue. The 2025 course report noted that some topics fell outside the subject.
Points from the 2025 course report
Most candidates performed well in the source evaluation questions. Many reached full marks on several knowledge questions, including one on whether prison works.
The harder parts were:
- 4-mark and 6-mark knowledge questions needing detailed examples
- describing how representatives work, often confused with constituency work
- explaining why the private sector has been successful
- consequences questions answered about individuals rather than wider society
In the assignment, candidates lost marks when research sheets were missing. Others named methods vaguely, such as the internet, or copied from their research sheet.
The report asked centres to use current examples. It also stressed reading questions that set a maximum number of marks for one point.
What earns marks
Knowledge answers reward developed points backed by an up-to-date example. A single, fully developed point can earn up to 4 marks. Name real policies, statistics, parties or countries rather than speaking in general terms.
In source questions, quote the evidence and link it to the claim. Use every source you are given, and show where they agree or conflict.
Practice with past papers
Pick out the questions for your options only, then sit them in timed conditions. Work through the source questions separately, checking that every point cites a source. Keep a list of recent examples for each option, updated as news changes.
Revision checklist
Tick topics as you revise. Ticks are saved on this device only.
- Build an examples bank for each option with recent statistics and named policies.
- Practise 4-mark describe answers that develop one point with a real example.
- Practise 6-mark explain answers that give reasons, not just descriptions.
- Learn the difference between how representatives represent people and their constituency work.
- Do one options and choices source question a week, using every source.
- Practise conclusions questions that link two sources to each conclusion.
- Practise selective use of facts questions that show where evidence supports and opposes a view.
- Choose an assignment topic with a clear hypothesis inside the course content.
- Name specific research methods, such as a named survey or official report, on your research sheet.
- Keep the research sheet to two single-sided A4 pages and summarise rather than copy.
Quick answers
- How many marks is National 5 Modern Studies out of?
100 marks in total: 80 for the question paper and 20 for the assignment.
- What can I take into the Modern Studies assignment write-up?
A Modern Studies research sheet of no more than two single-sided A4 pages.
- When is the National 5 Modern Studies exam in 2027?
Wednesday 26 May 2027, 13:00 to 15:20.