SQA Advanced Higher Graphic Communication: complete guide to technical graphics, commercial and visual media graphics, the question paper and the project

SQA Advanced Higher Graphic Communication is a one-year course at SCQF level 7, building on Higher Graphic Communication and preparing learners for university and careers in design, engineering and architecture. It is organised around two linked contexts, Technical Graphics and Commercial and Visual Media Graphics, that both run through the assessment. It is graded A to D from two equally weighted components: a question paper and a project. This page is the index: below is a map of the two contexts, the assessment structure, and how to study each one.

The two contexts of SQA Advanced Higher Graphic Communication

The course content is organised into two contexts, each examined in the question paper and applied in the project.

Technical Graphics (TG). The engineering and product-modelling side: 3D CAD modelling with extrude, revolve, sweep, loft and shell, plus fillets, chamfers and patterns; modelling strategy with base features, constraints, the feature tree and parametric editing; assembly modelling with mating constraints, exploded views and parts lists; orthographic production drawings in first and third angle; sectional views; dimensioning and tolerancing with fits and surface finish; British Standard conventions for line types, symbols and abbreviations; and pictorial and rendered illustration (isometric, planometric, perspective).

Commercial and Visual Media Graphics (CVMG). The design and media side: the elements of design (line, shape, form, texture, colour, tone, space); the principles of design (balance, contrast, alignment, proximity, emphasis, rhythm, proportion, unity, depth); colour theory with harmonies and the RGB and CMYK models; typography; DTP features and edits (cropping, masking, layering, text wrap, transparency, drop shadow, bleed); layout and the production stages (grids, preliminary and working graphics); production and promotional graphics (file types, resolution, branding); and the societal, economic, environmental and legal impact of graphic communication.

Course assessment

The Advanced Higher Graphic Communication award is graded A to D and is made up of two components, both set and marked by the SQA.

• Question paper - 90 marks, 50 per cent of the award, sat over 2 hours 30 minutes under exam conditions. It assesses knowledge and skills from across both contexts, often by interpreting given drawings, 3D models and commercial layouts.
• Project - 90 marks, 50 per cent of the award. A graphical response to a brief, presented on a maximum of 20 single-sided A3 pages, demonstrating ability in both Technical Graphics and Commercial and Visual Media Graphics, developed through preliminary and working graphics and annotated to evidence decisions.

The two components combine to a total of 180 marks.

What the examiners reward

Across both components, the SQA rewards applying knowledge rather than only recalling it:

1. Technical reasoning. Choosing and justifying modelling techniques and strategy, interpreting orthographic and sectioned drawings, and reading projection systems, dimensions, tolerances and fits to British Standards.
2. Design analysis. Explaining the effect of the elements and principles of design, colour and typography in a layout, and naming the right DTP technique for an effect.
3. Output knowledge. Handling file types, resolution, RGB versus CMYK and bleed correctly for a given use.
4. Balanced evaluation. Weighing the societal, economic and environmental impact of graphics and the designer's legal responsibilities.
5. Resolved, annotated work. In the project, genuine depth in both contexts, evidence of decision-making, and coherent presentation within the page limit.

How to study SQA Advanced Higher Graphic Communication

Advanced Higher Graphic Communication rewards confident modelling, accurate drawing interpretation and reasoned design analysis.

1. Work from both contexts. Treat the Technical Graphics and Commercial and Visual Media Graphics areas of the specification as checklists; the question paper is written from across them.
2. Drill the technical skills. Practise modelling techniques and strategy, and interpreting real orthographic and sectioned drawings, dimensions, tolerances, fits and British Standard conventions.
3. Learn to explain design effects. For commercial graphics, the marks come from explaining why a design choice works, the effect of an element, principle, colour scheme, typeface or DTP technique.
4. Master output. Be fluent with file types, resolution, RGB versus CMYK and bleed, which recur in both the paper and the project.
5. Plan the project for both contexts. Choose a brief response that naturally needs technical and commercial work, develop and annotate it, and present within the 20 A3 page limit.
6. Practise past papers. Use SQA past papers and marking instructions to learn the question style and the wording markers reward.

The two contexts, area by area

Each context has key-area answer pages with worked questions and cross-links, plus a context overview guide. Browse the full set from this hub.

For the official course specification

The SQA (now Qualifications Scotland) publishes the full Advanced Higher Graphic Communication course specification, specimen and past papers, marking instructions and the coursework assessment task at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers, because question style, terminology and drawing standards are board-specific.