Free Practice Questions for National 5 Art and Design
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Key Facts: National 5 Art and Design Exam
A-D
Grading scale (no award below D)
Qualifications Scotland
60 + 100 + 100
Question paper plus two portfolios
N5 Art and Design Course Specification
1h 10min
Question paper duration
Qualifications Scotland
100
Free practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
Qualifications Scotland National 5 Art and Design is assessed by one 1h 10min written question paper (60 marks) covering Expressive and Design Studies, plus two SQA-marked practical portfolios (100 marks each). Grading is A-D on the 2026 specification.
Sample National 5 Art and Design Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the National 5 Art and Design exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Andy Warhol is most closely associated with which 20th-century art movement?
2Pablo Picasso, together with Georges Braque, is credited with developing which movement?
3Vincent van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' uses thick, swirling brushstrokes. This technique is called:
4Frida Kahlo's self-portraits are most often associated with which movement?
5Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a leading Scottish figure in which design movement?
6In colour theory, which pair of colours are described as complementary?
7The three primary colours in subtractive (paint) colour theory are:
8The 'rule of thirds' in composition divides the picture plane into:
9A composition in which the left and right halves mirror each other is described as:
10In linear perspective, parallel lines receding into the distance appear to meet at the:
About the National 5 Art and Design Exam
National 5 Art and Design (course code C804 75) is a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 5 qualification offered by Qualifications Scotland. The course is assessed through a 1 hour 10 minute question paper worth 60 marks (Expressive Art Studies 20 marks plus Design Studies 20 marks plus a free choice in each), plus an Expressive portfolio (100 marks) and a Design portfolio (100 marks).
Exam sponsor: Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
Question paper 1 hour 10 minutes plus two portfolios
Passing Score
Grade A at ~70%, Grade C at ~50%, Grade D minimum award
Exam / Certification Fees
Typically free for school candidates; ~£43-£60 per subject for private candidates
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Expressive Art Studies
Knowledge of artists (Warhol, Picasso, Kahlo, O'Keeffe, Mackintosh, Eardley, Bellany, Paolozzi) and movements (Renaissance, Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art); analysis of composition, colour theory, tone, mark-making, perspective and media
Design Studies
Knowledge of designers (Mackintosh, Morris, Bauhaus, Eames, Starck, Rams, Dyson, Westwood, McQueen) and movements (Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Bauhaus, Art Deco, Memphis); analysis of design process, function, aesthetics, target market, materials and sustainability
Preparing for the National 5 Art and Design Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Grade A at ~70%, Grade C at ~50%, Grade D minimum award
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Question paper 1 hour 10 minutes plus two portfolios
- Exam / certification fees: Typically free for school candidates; ~£43-£60 per subject for private candidates Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
National 5 Art and Design: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who awards National 5 Art and Design?
National 5 Art and Design is awarded by Qualifications Scotland, the public body that replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on 1 February 2026. The course code is C804 75.
How is National 5 Art and Design assessed?
Assessment is by one external question paper of 60 marks (Section 1 Expressive Art Studies 20 marks, Section 2 Design Studies 20 marks) lasting 1 hour 10 minutes, plus an Expressive portfolio (100 marks) and a Design portfolio (100 marks).
What grades are available at National 5?
National 5 courses are graded A, B, C, or D. A and B are the highest awards, C is the standard pass at SCQF level 5, and D is the minimum award. No award is given below D.
What topics are covered in the question paper?
The question paper tests knowledge of artists, designers, art and design movements, and analysis of unseen visual examples — including composition, colour, media, design process, materials, function and target market.