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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: National 5 Administration and IT Exam

C802 75

Course code

Qualifications Scotland

120 marks

Total marks (50 paper + 70 assignment)

N5 Admin & IT Course Specification

2 hours

Question paper duration

Qualifications Scotland

100

Free practice questions here

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N5 Administration and IT is graded A-D with C as the minimum pass. Assessment features a 50-mark written/scenario question paper (2 hours) and a 70-mark practical assignment covering IT applications (Spreadsheets, Databases, Word Processing, Presentations) and Administrative Theory (Health & Safety, Legislation, Customer Care, Work Environment).

Sample National 5 Administration and IT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your National 5 Administration and IT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is a key duty of an administrative assistant when preparing for an internal department meeting?
A.Drafting and distributing the Notice of Meeting and Agenda
B.Making final executive decisions on company budget allocation
C.Auditing the company financial statements for tax compliance
D.Conducting annual performance appraisals for department managers
Explanation: Administrative assistants are responsible for organizing logistics before a meeting, which includes preparing and issuing the Notice of Meeting and Agenda to all attendees. Executive decisions, financial audits, and staff appraisals are duties of senior management or specialized departments.
2What is the primary purpose of a Customer Care Charter in a business organisation?
A.To state the standards of service customers can expect to receive
B.To list the wholesale costs of products sold to customers
C.To outline internal disciplinary procedures for employees
D.To specify the tax obligations of commercial customers
Explanation: A Customer Care Charter is a published document setting out an organisation's commitment to customer service standards and explaining what customers can expect when dealing with the business. It helps build customer trust and clear benchmarks for staff.
3Which of the following is a direct benefit to an organisation of maintaining high standards of customer care?
A.Increased customer loyalty and repeat business
B.Higher raw material purchasing costs
C.Automatic exemption from national employment laws
D.Immediate reduction in employee pension contributions
Explanation: High standards of customer care lead to satisfied customers who return for repeat purchases and recommend the business to others, fostering customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. It does not alter purchasing costs or statutory legal requirements.
4Which legislation governs the lawful processing and protection of personal data stored by organisations in the UK?
A.Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
B.Computer Misuse Act 1990
C.Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
D.Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Explanation: The Data Protection Act 2018 (incorporating UK GDPR) regulates how personal data must be collected, stored, processed, and destroyed securely. The Computer Misuse Act covers hacking/unauthorised access, HASAWA covers safety, and Copyright covers IP.
5Under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which of the following is illegal?
A.Accessing computer material without authorization
B.Creating an electronic spreadsheet to budget departmental expenses
C.Formatting a Word document with headers and footers
D.Sending a routine email to a colleague using CC
Explanation: The Computer Misuse Act 1990 specifies three main offences: unauthorised access to computer material, unauthorised access with intent to commit a crime, and unauthorised modification of computer material (such as releasing viruses or changing files).
6What physical security measure prevents unauthorized visitors from walking freely into an office building?
A.Electronic keycard access doors and visitor sign-in desks
B.Spreadsheet password protection
C.Anti-virus software scanning
D.Data encryption on cloud storage
Explanation: Electronic keycards, turnstiles, and receptionist-monitored sign-in desks are physical security controls designed to restrict access to building premises. Passwords, anti-virus, and encryption are software/IT security controls.
7Which quality is essential for an administrative assistant who handles confidential employee records?
A.Discretion and trustworthiness
B.Graphic design mastery
C.Public speaking expertise
D.Advanced accounting auditing
Explanation: Handling confidential data such as salaries, medical notes, or disciplinary files requires high levels of discretion, integrity, and trustworthiness to ensure privacy standards and compliance with data protection laws.
8What is a likely consequence for an organisation that consistently provides poor customer service?
A.Loss of customers to competitors and damaged business reputation
B.Automatic reduction in business rates and property taxes
C.Higher employee retention and increased staff satisfaction
D.Immediate increase in market share
Explanation: Poor customer service leads to dissatisfied customers leaving for competitors, negative reviews/publicity, reduced revenues, and low staff morale due to dealing with constant complaints.
9When a customer phones to complain about a delayed delivery, what should an administrative assistant do first?
A.Listen calmly without interrupting and show empathy
B.Blame the courier driver immediately
C.Hang up the phone to avoid conflict
D.Refuse to record the complaint details
Explanation: The first step in complaint handling is to listen actively and calmly to the customer, acknowledge their frustration empathetically, and take accurate notes before investigating and resolving the issue.
10According to the Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR, how long should personal data be kept by an organisation?
A.No longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it is processed
B.Indefinitely regardless of whether it is still needed
C.Exactly 50 years for all types of records
D.Until the physical hard drive fails naturally
Explanation: The 'storage limitation' principle dictates that personal data must not be kept for longer than is necessary for the specified purposes for which it was originally collected and processed.

About the National 5 Administration and IT Exam

National 5 Administration and IT (course code C802 75) is a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 5 qualification administered by Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA). The course develops administrative theory, IT skills in spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and presentations, and electronic communication capabilities. Assessment consists of a 50-mark question paper (2 hours) and a 70-mark practical assignment completed within 3 hours.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

2 hours for the question paper; the assignment is completed in up to 3 hours

Passing Score

Graded A-D, with No Award below D. Notional grade boundaries are 50% of the total course assessment marks for a C, 70% for an A and 85% for an upper A; final boundaries are set each year at awarding meetings after marking.

Exam Fee

No candidate fee is published by Qualifications Scotland: entry fees are invoiced to the presenting centre, so school and college candidates in Scotland are not charged. Private candidates must arrange an approved presenting centre, which sets its own charge. (Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA))

National 5 Administration and IT Exam Content Outline

~25%

Administrative Theory and Services

Duties and skills of administrative staff; customer care (customer charters, benefits/consequences, complaints handling); security of information, people and property (GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, Computer Misuse Act, Copyright)

~15%

Work Environment, Health & Safety

Flexible working practices (homeworking, hot-desking, flexitime, teleworking); office layouts (open-plan vs cellular); Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992, ergonomic measures

~40%

IT Applications (Spreadsheets, Databases, Word Processing, Presentations)

Spreadsheet formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT, IF, VLOOKUP) and formatting/charts; database tables, field types, primary keys, queries, forms and reports; word processing formatting, tables, mail merge; presentation master slides, transitions, animations and action buttons

~20%

Communication and Information Handling

Electronic communication (email features, CC/BCC, attachments, distribution lists); e-diary scheduling and reminders; internet/intranet information search and credibility; meeting documentation (notice of meeting, agenda, minutes)

How to Pass the National 5 Administration and IT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Graded A-D, with No Award below D. Notional grade boundaries are 50% of the total course assessment marks for a C, 70% for an A and 85% for an upper A; final boundaries are set each year at awarding meetings after marking.
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 2 hours for the question paper; the assignment is completed in up to 3 hours
  • Exam fee: No candidate fee is published by Qualifications Scotland: entry fees are invoiced to the presenting centre, so school and college candidates in Scotland are not charged. Private candidates must arrange an approved presenting centre, which sets its own charge.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

National 5 Administration and IT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master spreadsheet formula syntax (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP) and always verify row/column cell references carefully
2Learn specific legislative titles (Data Protection Act 2018 / GDPR, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992, Computer Misuse Act 1990)
3Understand mail merge steps clearly: primary document, data source, insertion of merge fields, and filtering records before merging
4Review meeting documentation order and purpose: Notice of Meeting, Agenda, and Minutes, noting who prepares each document and when

Frequently Asked Questions

Who awards National 5 Administration and IT?

National 5 Administration and IT is awarded by Qualifications Scotland, the awarding body for Scottish national qualifications since 1 February 2026 (formerly SQA). The course code is C802 75.

How is National 5 Administration and IT assessed?

Assessment comprises a 50-mark question paper lasting 2 hours testing theory and scenario-based IT application knowledge, plus a 70-mark practical assignment completed in school under exam conditions.

What grade is a pass at National 5?

National 5 is graded A, B, C and D, with C being the standard pass at SCQF Level 5 and A the highest award.

What software applications are required for N5 Administration and IT?

Candidates use standard office productivity suites including Spreadsheet (Excel), Database (Access), Word Processing (Word), Presentation (PowerPoint), Email, and Electronic Calendar (Outlook) software.