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100+ Free National 5 Modern Studies Practice Questions

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Which UK political party traditionally has its strongest support among middle-class and rural voters in England?

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D
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: National 5 Modern Studies Exam

A-D

Grading scale (no award below D)

Qualifications Scotland

80 + 20

Question paper marks plus assignment

N5 Modern Studies Course Specification

2h 20min

Question paper duration

Qualifications Scotland

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Qualifications Scotland National 5 Modern Studies is assessed through one 2h 20min written question paper (80 marks) plus a 20-mark assignment. The three course areas — Democracy in Scotland and the UK, Social Issues in the UK, International Issues — are equally weighted and graded A-D on the 2026 specification.

Sample National 5 Modern Studies Practice Questions

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

1Where does the Scottish Parliament meet?
A.Holyrood, Edinburgh
B.Westminster, London
C.Bute House, Edinburgh
D.St Andrew's House, Edinburgh
Explanation: The Scottish Parliament is located in the Holyrood building in Edinburgh, opened in 2004. The UK Parliament sits at Westminster in London; Bute House is the First Minister's official residence and St Andrew's House is a Scottish Government office.
2Which of the following is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament under the Scotland Act 1998?
A.Defence and foreign affairs
B.Education
C.Health
D.Justice and policing
Explanation: The Scotland Act 1998 lists reserved matters that remain with Westminster, including defence, foreign affairs, immigration, currency and the constitution. Education, health and justice are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
3Which Act extended the powers of the Scottish Parliament by devolving income-tax rates and bands?
A.Scotland Act 2016
B.Scotland Act 1998
C.Scotland Act 2012
D.Government of Wales Act 2006
Explanation: The Scotland Act 2016 implemented the Smith Commission recommendations after the 2014 independence referendum, devolving full power over income tax rates and bands (but not the personal allowance) and many welfare powers.
4How many MSPs sit in the Scottish Parliament?
A.129
B.650
C.73
D.59
Explanation: The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs: 73 constituency MSPs elected by First Past the Post plus 56 regional MSPs elected by the regional list using the d'Hondt method (7 from each of 8 regions).
5What electoral system is used for Scottish Parliament elections?
A.Additional Member System (AMS)
B.First Past the Post (FPTP)
C.Single Transferable Vote (STV)
D.Alternative Vote (AV)
Explanation: Scottish Parliament elections use the Additional Member System: voters cast two votes — one for a constituency MSP using FPTP and one for a party on the regional list, allocated using the d'Hondt method to make the overall result more proportional.
6How many votes does a voter cast in a Scottish Parliament election?
A.Two — one constituency and one regional list
B.One — for a constituency MSP only
C.Three — constituency, list and First Minister
D.One — ranked preferences on the list
Explanation: Under AMS each voter receives two ballots: vote one chooses a constituency MSP using First Past the Post; vote two chooses a party on the regional list, with seats allocated by the d'Hondt formula to give 56 additional regional MSPs.
7Which method is used to allocate regional list seats in Scottish Parliament elections?
A.d'Hondt method
B.Sainte-Lague method
C.Droop quota
D.Largest remainder
Explanation: The d'Hondt highest-averages method allocates the 7 regional list seats in each of the 8 Scottish regions. After each seat is awarded, the party's vote total is divided by (constituency seats won + list seats won + 1) before the next seat is allocated.
8What is the main purpose of First Minister's Questions (FMQs) at Holyrood?
A.To hold the First Minister and Scottish Government to account
B.To pass new legislation
C.To elect a new First Minister
D.To question the UK Prime Minister
Explanation: FMQs takes place each Thursday at 12 noon. Opposition leaders and backbench MSPs question the First Minister on Scottish Government policy, scrutinising decisions and holding the executive to account — a core role of the legislature.
9Which is NOT a stage in the passage of a Scottish Parliament Bill?
A.Royal Commission stage
B.Stage 1 (general principles)
C.Stage 2 (committee amendments)
D.Stage 3 (final amendments and vote)
Explanation: Scottish Parliament Bills pass through three stages: Stage 1 considers general principles, Stage 2 is detailed committee amendment, Stage 3 is final amendment and vote in the chamber, then Royal Assent. There is no 'Royal Commission' stage in Holyrood law-making.
10Which committee work is a key role for MSPs at Holyrood?
A.Scrutinising Bills and Scottish Government policy
B.Choosing the Lord Advocate
C.Setting the Bank of England base rate
D.Approving UK treaties with foreign states
Explanation: Holyrood committees (e.g. Health, Finance and Public Administration) scrutinise legislation, take evidence from witnesses, and examine government policy and spending. Committees are described as the 'engine room' of the Scottish Parliament.

About the National 5 Modern Studies Exam

National 5 Modern Studies (course code C844 75) is a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 5 qualification offered by Qualifications Scotland. The course covers Democracy in Scotland and the UK, Social Issues in the UK, and International Issues, assessed through a 2 hour 20 minute question paper worth 80 marks plus an SQA-marked assignment worth 20 marks.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Question paper 2 hours 20 minutes plus assignment

Passing Score

Grade A at ~70%, Grade C at ~50%, Grade D minimum award

Exam Fee

Typically free for school candidates; ~£43-£60 per subject for private candidates (Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA))

National 5 Modern Studies Exam Content Outline

~1/3

Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom

Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, devolved vs reserved matters, AMS electoral system, MSPs and FMQs, First Minister, UK Parliament, FPTP, House of Lords, political parties, pressure groups, voting behaviour, political participation

~1/3

Social Issues in the United Kingdom

Either Social Inequality (causes, welfare state, Universal Credit, Equality Act 2010, gender pay gap, ethnic and disability discrimination, government responses) or Crime and the Law (theories of crime, Scottish courts, sentences, alternatives to prison, rights of the accused)

~1/3

International Issues

World power study (commonly USA federal system, Congress, Electoral College, social/economic inequality; or China one-party CCP state, NPC, censorship, ethnic minorities) and world issue study (development in Africa, aid types, NGOs, UN agencies, or international conflict)

Source skills

Source-Based Skills

Using two sources to support a decision, evaluating reliability (origin, content, age, purpose), detecting bias/exaggeration and selectivity, supporting and opposing a viewpoint with evidence

How to Pass the National 5 Modern Studies 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 2 hours 20 minutes plus assignment
  • Exam fee: Typically free for school candidates; ~£43-£60 per subject for private candidates

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 Modern Studies Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use Qualifications Scotland past papers and marking instructions — command words 'describe', 'explain', 'to what extent' carry different mark schemes
2Memorise up-to-date statistics and named examples (current First Minister, recent election results, specific Acts) — markers reward precise contemporary evidence
3Practise source-based questions under timed conditions — reliability, decision-making, and supporting/opposing viewpoints are recurring formats
4Read the annual Course Report each summer — examiners list the most common candidate errors and missing knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

Who awards National 5 Modern Studies?

National 5 Modern Studies is awarded by Qualifications Scotland, the public body that replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on 1 February 2026. The course code is C844 75.

How is National 5 Modern Studies assessed?

Assessment is by one external question paper of 80 marks lasting 2 hours 20 minutes (extended-response and source-based questions across three sections) plus a 20-mark SQA-marked assignment completed in school.

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 National 5 Modern Studies?

Three equally weighted areas: Democracy in Scotland and the UK (parliaments, elections, parties), Social Issues in the UK (inequality or crime), and International Issues (a world power study plus a world issue study).