← Practical Metalworking syllabus

ScotlandPractical Metalworking

Fabrication

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is a finished metal product prepared and finished, and why are surface finishes applied to metal?

Finishing processes: removing sharp edges and burrs (deburring), cleaning and preparing the surface (emery cloth/abrasives), and applying a finish such as paint, lacquer or plating to protect the metal and improve its appearance.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking covers finishing a metal product: removing sharp edges and burrs (deburring), cleaning and preparing the surface with abrasives, and applying a finish such as paint, lacquer or plating to protect the metal and improve its appearance.
12 min answer →

How is metal joined without heat using rivets and threaded fasteners, and how is bar and rod bent and formed to shape?

Mechanical joining and forming: joining metal with rivets (including pop rivets) and threaded fasteners (nuts, bolts and machine screws), choosing temporary or permanent joints, and bending and forming bar and rod to shape.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking covers joining metal without heat: riveting (including pop rivets) and threaded fasteners (nuts, bolts, machine screws), the difference between temporary and permanent joints, and bending and forming bar and rod to shape.
12 min answer →

How is National 5 Practical Metalworking assessed, and what does the practical activity and its case study ask you to do?

Course assessment overview: the practical activity (80 marks, 100% of the course, including a 10-mark case study) in which you plan and make a finished metal product and complete a log book, assessed by the teacher and verified by Qualifications Scotland.
An overview of how SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking is assessed from session 2025-26: one practical activity worth 80 marks (100% of the course), including a 10-mark case study, in which you plan and make a finished metal product and complete a log book, teacher-assessed and verified by Qualifications Scotland.
11 min answer →

How is sheet metal marked, cut, folded and joined to make a product such as a box or tray?

Sheet metalwork: cutting sheet with tin snips and a guillotine, bending and folding on folding bars or a bending machine, and forming joints such as a folded seam, with allowance made for the bend.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking covers routine sheet metalwork: cutting sheet with tin snips and a guillotine, bending and folding on folding bars or a bending machine, forming folded seams, and allowing for the bend so the finished size is correct.
12 min answer →

How is metal joined using heat, and what is the difference between welding, brazing and soldering?

Thermal joining: joining metal with heat by welding (e.g. MIG/arc), brazing and soft soldering, the difference between them (melting the parent metal versus a filler), and the safety needed for hot work.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking covers joining metal with heat: welding (MIG or arc), brazing and soft soldering, the difference between melting the parent metal and using a filler, the relative strength of each, and the safety needed for hot work.
12 min answer →