SQA Higher Environmental Science specification (X826 76)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your SQA Higher Environmental Science exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official SQA Higher Environmental Science specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official SQA Higher Environmental Science (X826 76) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official SQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
This Higher Environmental Science course provides learners with a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of environmental systems and sustainable practices. Rooted in both scientific and social science perspectives, the course explores the living environment, Earth's resources, and sustainability issues. It equips candidates with skills to investigate, analyse, and evaluate environmental issues, encouraging them to form scientifically informed and ethically considered views. Practical and field work investigations are central, supporting the development of scientific literacy, problem-solving, and independent working. Candidates study complex systems interactions and consider environmental challenges and solutions at local and global levels.
Subject content breakdown
Living environment
- Investigating ecosystems and biodiversity: classification (ecosystem, species, genetic), sampling techniques (transect, quadrat, Lincoln index), abiotic and biotic factors.
- Interdependence: food webs, energy transfer (GPP, NPP, ecological efficiency), succession, population dynamics (exponential, logistic, oscillations).
- Human influences on biodiversity: habitat fragmentation and rewilding, sustainable harvesting, pollution (point, diffuse), plagioclimax, conservation, environmental assessments (EIA, SEA), agency roles (SEPA, NatureScot, MS).
Earth’s resources
- Geosphere: plate tectonics (constructive/destructive), mineral formation (bauxite), geothermal energy (sources, production, benefits/challenges).
- Hydrosphere: hydrological cycle (evaporation, infiltration, storage), oceanic circulation (thermohaline, gyres, conveyor belt), upwelling and nutrients.
- Biosphere: soil formation (inputs, processes, profiles), podzol and brown earth comparison, biofuels (types, advantages/disadvantages).
- Atmosphere: atmospheric composition, tri-cellular model (Hadley, Ferrel, Polar cells), global energy budget, natural climate change (Milankovitch cycles, volcanism).
Sustainability
- Global challenges: food, water, and energy security, impacts of development and climate change.
- Food: intensive agriculture (mechanisation, GM, fertilisers), aquaculture and marine fisheries, impacts (eutrophication, bioaccumulation, biomagnification).
- Water: sustainable management (drip irrigation, greywater), purification stages, sewage treatment and end-uses of sludge.
- Energy: shale gas (fracking), hydrogen (electrolysis, gasification), nuclear (fission), pros/cons of each method.
- Waste management: life cycle analysis (circular vs linear economy), waste hierarchy (prevention to disposal), open/closed loop recycling.
- Anthropogenic climate change: greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O), impacts on biodiversity, soil, ocean, mitigation strategies at all scales.
Assessment structure
Question Paper 1
- 20 marks, 45 minutes.
- Case study with structured questions based on unfamiliar situations or field contexts.
- Mix of knowledge application, data interpretation, and justification.
- Equal focus on knowledge/understanding and inquiry/problem-solving.
Question Paper 2
- 100 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Section 1: Structured-response (80 marks), with multi-part, context-based questions.
- Section 2: Extended-response (20 marks), one structured and one unstructured option to choose from.
- Covers entire course, integrating knowledge and inquiry skills.
Assignment
- 20 marks, scaled to 30 (20% of total grade).
- Two stages: research (field/experimental work + literature) and report (under strict supervision).
- Skills assessed: aim setting, data collection/handling, graphing, analysis, conclusion, evaluation, structure.
- Max 8 hours, with 2 hours for report writing.
Grading
- Grades A–D awarded based on combined marks from all three components.
- Grade C = competent performance; Grade A = consistently high achievement.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your SQA Higher Environmental Science isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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