Middle school students studying music can use artificial intelligence to write lyrics for the components of National 5.
This is because no marks are awarded for the creation of lyrics.
However, using generative AI or Genai, it counts towards the final grade, and also counts where students explain their main decisions, how to develop their own ideas and identify areas of improvement – is not acceptable.
Subject-specific guidance on AI
This example is one of several new guidance created by SQA, designed to further clarify the use of AI in teacher evaluations in the 2025-26 session.
It follows calls from the profession for subject-specific guidance to set up what is acceptable so that school staff feel they are well equipped to prevent fraud.
AI Covers English, Computing Science, Business Education, Other subject-specific examples of acceptable and unacceptable use of physics.
However, SQA states, “It is impossible to create a thorough list of acceptable and unacceptable uses, and the appropriateness of Genai usage depends on the context of a particular assessment.”
SQA states that the example is “provocative” and is designed to help teachers “reflect.”
Teachers suggest that three questions should be used to make a decision about the likelihood of using GENAI in their assessments.
1. Does the use of genai tools replace the acquisition of key skills, knowledge and understanding by learners?
2. Does the use of genai tools undermine the need for learners to show true evidence of skills, knowledge and understanding?
3. Are you awarded a mark for activities carried out by genai?
According to the SQA guidance, if the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then the use of Genai for that purpose is unacceptable.
But even here the warning is that “this may differ if the assessment arrangement is agreed in advance.”
For teachers, “There is no new responsibility”
Donna Stewart, director of qualification development for SQA and Scotland's Chief Examiner, said the 2025-26 guidance was developed with teachers in recognition of challenges regarding the use of Genai between learners.
She said the guidance is designed to provide more clarity rather than adding new responsibilities to educators.
“SQA does not approve or mandate the use of Genai. It is important for both learners and educators to recognize that Genai tools are limited and do not always produce reliable output,” she said.
“But given the accessibility and speed at which the technology is being developed, it's important to provide a framework and guidance.”
Online questions and answers will be arranged in time for the back-to-school term in August, allowing teachers to ask questions and give feedback on their guidance opinions.
However, the SQA states that “this current stance will be guided at least for the 2025-26 academic year.”
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