Tens of thousands of young people across Scotland are set to receive their exam results.

After months of hard work and an anxious wait over the summer, pupils up and down the country will find out their grades online or via the post as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) publishes the results.

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Education secretary John Swinney said: "I want to wish everyone receiving exam results the very best of luck and offer my congratulations on the culmination of all your hard work.

"This is an extremely significant time but it is important to remember that this is the start of a journey, not the end. 

"If your results are what you hoped for that is great news but if you miss out on the grades you were looking for, or do even better than expected, there is a huge variety of options available to you."

Mr Swinney added that careers advisers at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will be on hand to talk pupils through their options.

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SDS will operate a free exam results helpline from 8am on Tuesday, offering advice to young people receiving their results and providing information to parents and carers who are keen to understand the choices available.

James Russell, SDS’s Director of Career Information, Advice & Guidance Operations, said: “If your results aren’t what you expected don’t panic, you have lots of options.

"Skills Development Scotland is Scotland’s career service and our experienced advisers are here to help you and your parents and carers with information on all the options and opportunities available to you."

The SDS helpline will be available from 8am to 8pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9am to 5pm weekdays from Thursday, August 8, until Wednesday, August 14. 

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SDS can also be contacted online via Twitter or Facebook, while results information and advice is also available on Scotland’s careers website My World of Work.

Pupils can access their online from 8am today if they are signed up to MySQA, while certificates will be sent out via the post.

Anyone who does not receive their results should contact their school or college.