ALEX Salmond has dismissed fears by a former principal examiner that this year's Higher maths exam was "dumbed down".
The First Minister rejected calls for an investigation into the paper which was described as "the easiest ever" by Clive Chamber in Tuesday's Herald.
Mr Salmond told First Minister's Questions that improved pass rates over the years were down to the efforts of pupils and teachers.
Scottish Labour's education spokesman Hugh Henry said there were serious concerns about the exam.
Mr Salmond said: "We should hesitate before suggesting pass rates in exams are anything other than down to the performance of students and the efforts of teachers."
Mr Chamber, a former principal examiner of maths for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), said it was easier than any previous paper he had seen.
Senior teachers also criticised the exam.
The attack came after the entire setting team for this year's maths Higher walked out after an internal dispute.
The SQA has also defended the exam.
The call for a probe came during a rowdy final First Minister's Question before Holyrood's summer recess.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont criticised the SNP's plan to cut corporation tax, the main tax on business profits, to 3p below the UK rate if Scotland becomes independent.
She claimed the move would cost £385 million per year and added: "Isn't it the case that Alex Salmond said 'Scots don't mind Margaret Thatcher's economics'? And what he wants to apply her economics to an independent Scotland."
Mr Salmond cited a Government report claiming a 3p corporation tax cut would create 27,000 jobs over 20 years. He said: "This policy will result in an increase in employment, an increase in investment, an increase in GDP and an increase in total tax revenues. Even the Labour Party should think this is an excellent idea."
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