Physics Level 4
National 5 Practical Cookery
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
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Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
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Give each week a clear focus.
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Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
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Put your knowledge to work in context.
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Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
National 5 Practical Cookery is a Scottish national qualification in the senior phase of secondary school, delivered by centres and awarded nationally. It suits learners who want to develop practical food preparation and cookery skills alongside the knowledge that underpins safe, hygienic and organised work in a kitchen. The course is assessed in two components. A question paper tests the knowledge and understanding side of cookery, and a practical activity requires candidates to plan, prepare, cook and serve dishes under timed conditions, with marks awarded for techniques, cookery processes, tasting and seasoning, and service details. From session 2026-27 the assignment has been removed; the question paper carries 35 marks and the practical activity 65 marks, and the course has the code C885 75. Preparation should be built around both halves. For the question paper, work through the course content and practise with the specimen question paper. For the practical activity, rehearse complete dishes against the marking instructions, practise writing a time plan, and get used to working cleanly and efficiently to a deadline. The practical activity carries most of the marks, so regular hands-on cooking with feedback matters more than last-minute reading.
What you'll study
About Physics Level 4 preparation
What does the assessment consist of?
Two components: a question paper and a practical activity. From session 2026-27 the assignment has been removed from the course, so these two components are the whole assessment. The practical activity is the larger element, carrying 65 of the total marks.
How are the marks split?
From session 2026-27 the question paper is worth 35 marks and the practical activity is worth 65 marks. That makes the practical activity the dominant component, so hands-on preparation deserves the majority of your revision time.
Has the course changed recently?
Yes. Following feedback from educators and learners, the assignment was removed, the marks for the question paper and practical activity were adjusted, and the course was given the new code C885 75. These changes apply from session 2026-27, so use updated documents.
How should I prepare for the practical activity?
Cook the specified dishes repeatedly until the techniques are automatic, and practise writing and following a time plan. Study the marking instructions so you know how tasting and seasoning, cookery processes and service details are judged, and rehearse working hygienically to a fixed deadline.
Which dishes might I have to cook?
The specimen practical activity lists the recipes used for assessment, and some have recently been revised. Check the current specimen materials rather than older teaching notes, because recipes and their marking instructions have been updated.
Can I use a mobile phone during the practical activity?
The course specification includes guidance on using mobile phones during the practical activity, so the rules are set out rather than left to centres. Read that section before the assessment day so you know what is and is not permitted.
What is the hardest part of the course?
Most candidates find the pressure of the timed practical activity the biggest challenge. Marks are lost through poor organisation, late service and careless seasoning rather than through lack of cooking ability, so time planning and practice under realistic conditions matter most.
Where can I find past papers and specimen materials?
Past papers and marking instructions are published by subject and level, and a specimen question paper for session 2026-27 onwards is available. Specimen coursework, a specimen time plan and guidance on conditions of assessment are also published.
Is there a resit if I do not pass?
The published course page does not set out a retake policy, so arrangements are handled through your centre. Ask your teacher or lecturer about sitting the course or its components again in a later session.