Scotland’s exam board will consider bringing back a popular resource for pupils, following a trial period which showed support for the process from teachers and pupils.
In 2023-2024, some pupils who sat exams in five different subjects (Geography, Graphic Communication, Media, Music and Statistics) had the opportunity to download their marked exam papers from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The service was not renewed after the one-year trial programme ended. The SQA’s report on the trial showed feedback that the service created too much additional workload pressure on teaching and SQA staff.
However, the service was popular among pupils and teachers, and the official report on the trial made it clear that it affected the way pupils engaged with their exams.
Also, the rate of appeals was higher among pupils who downloaded their marked papers, and those appeals were more likely to be successful.
However, the report found that, while the workload was generally manageable, concerns were raised that it would become difficult for SQA coordinators if the service were expanded.
Almost all learners and more than two-thirds of practitioners agreed that the service should be expanded to more subjects, but only half of practitioners agreed that this would be manageable.
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The service is not finished for good, however. Following questions about why it was not available in 2025, SQA officials indicated that the organisation is willing to consider returning marked exam papers again in the future.
A spokesperson for SQA said: "We paused the Access to Marked Exam Scripts service in 2025 following a detailed evaluation of the pilot.
"That found there was demand for the service but also significant concern from teachers and schools around capacity and workload.
"Acting on that feedback, we paused the service this year to allow us to co-design a sustainable, long-term model with the system, ensuring it meets the needs of learners while being manageable for teachers.
"We remain fully committed to restoring access to marked scripts once that model is agreed, and Qualifications Scotland will take this work forward."
The SQA has a list of initiatives and reviews that are either already underway or scheduled to begin when the organisation officially becomes Qualifications Scotland later in 2025.
Among these are specific subject reviews as well as potential formatting or delivery changes to certain exams.
In the more immediate future, however, the exam body has indicated that it is open to tackling shorter term projects.
This includes revisiting the paper return scheme, in part to help demonstrate the Qualifications Scotland’s stated aim of giving more room for pupil and teacher voices in decision-making.
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