Exams

Exam results: Passes up and gaps down - but many still short of pre-pandemic levels

National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher pass rates have all increased in 2026, but historic levels have not yet been fully restored.

Delta Goodrem performs as volunteers carry the nations' flags in procession during the 2026 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at The Hydro, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday August 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA

Delta Goodrem performs as volunteers carry the nations' flags in procession during the 2026 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at The Hydro, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday August 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA

Glasgow has effectively saved the Commonwealth Games for the future

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The biggest questions hanging over exam results day in Scotland

Exam board criticised for 'unfair' treatment of pupils accused of cheating

Questions continue to be asked about the fairness and reliability of results for Higher History in 2024

Questions continue to be asked about the fairness and reliability of results for Higher History in 2024

Who knew what and when about problems with the 2024 Higher History exam?

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The exam system doesn't work - so why can't we have something better?

The Isle of Arran's main road connecting east and west is to be closed as the 2026 school exams begin.

The Isle of Arran's main road connecting east and west is to be closed as the 2026 school exams begin.

Council criticised for closing crucial transport link during school exam season

The Scottish Greens want to scrap exams.

The Scottish Greens want to scrap exams.

Why the Scottish Greens want to ban 'Victorian' exams and homework

All qualifications are set to be reviewed.

All qualifications are set to be reviewed.

New exam board to carry out review of all qualifications following SQA controversies

Some exams have been rearranged following complaints that the timetable was unfair to some students.

Some exams have been rearranged following complaints that the timetable was unfair to some students.

SQA bows to pressure and rearranges 2026 exam timetable after fairness complaints

New lessons for history courses will teach a more complete account of how Scots migrants affected native lands and populations, and their role in the imperial project.

New lessons for history courses will teach a more complete account of how Scots migrants affected native lands and populations, and their role in the imperial project.

'This will change the way history is taught in schools'

Oban is one of eighteen locations in Scotland classed as a Remote Small Town

Oban is one of eighteen locations in Scotland classed as a Remote Small Town

Are pupils from remote small towns being let down?

The US and Scotland take very different approaches to exams and results, but I'm not convinced one is obviously better than the other.

The US and Scotland take very different approaches to exams and results, but I'm not convinced one is obviously better than the other.

As an American, Scottish exam results day leaves me thinking 'why, though?'

Exam results will be delivered today

Exam results will be delivered today

LIVE: Pupils across Scotland to receive exam results

Individual results and national data for 2025 exams has now been released

Individual results and national data for 2025 exams has now been released

Exams 2025: Pass rates creep up across the board

Scotland's exam board has appointed a new CEO to oversee the final stages of its transition to a new organisation.

Scotland's exam board has appointed a new CEO to oversee the final stages of its transition to a new organisation.

New SQA chief resigned previous role following child safety concerns

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Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

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The alleged fairness of the SQA? An extra 15 minutes for a Higher English exam

AP test scores drastically impacted my life as I moved through school in the US

AP test scores drastically impacted my life as I moved through school in the US

In a country where capitalism is king, exam scores can save families thousands

SQA Interim Chief Executive, John Booth, gives a helping hand to Kupa Chitopo during a Practical cookery class at Portobello High School

SQA Interim Chief Executive, John Booth, gives a helping hand to Kupa Chitopo during a Practical cookery class at Portobello High School

Main face of the SQA’s facelift says ‘resetting relationships’ is top priority

Edinburgh schools have been targeted in a phishing attack

Edinburgh schools have been targeted in a phishing attack

City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh schools targeted in phishing attack as students locked out of resources

The SQA was forced to release information about appeal rates under its Exam Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (EECCS).

The SQA was forced to release information about appeal rates under its Exam Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (EECCS).

SQA rejects up to 90 percent of student bereavement appeals

Concerns have been raised about the marking procedure for National 5 History following the mistaken release of important marking materials.

Concerns have been raised about the marking procedure for National 5 History following the mistaken release of important marking materials.

History repeats itself with concerns SQA marking has been compromised

Scotland's exams overseer is undergoing a shake-up

Scotland's exams overseer is undergoing a shake-up

SQA splits key executive roles after chief steps down

The celebrated BBC production of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song featured Vivien Heilbron as

The celebrated BBC production of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song featured Vivien Heilbron as

Poll: Should Sunset Song be reinstated to the Higher English syllabus?

Changes to the SQA timetable reduced overall instances of dual exams by 40%, but teachers have pointed out that the revised schedule created new conflicts in other subjects (David Davies/PA)

Changes to the SQA timetable reduced overall instances of dual exams by 40%, but teachers have pointed out that the revised schedule created new conflicts in other subjects (David Davies/PA)

SQA: Exam timetable is 'as fair as possible' despite new concerns from teachers

Pupils have been given an extra day for exams

Pupils have been given an extra day for exams

SQA changes exam timetable amid concerns over pupils' workload

The SQA and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth will be grilled by Holyrood's education committee. (Image: PA)

The SQA and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth will be grilled by Holyrood's education committee. (Image: PA)

Gilruth and SQA hauled before Holyrood's education committee amid Higher History saga

The SQA launched an investigation into Higher History marking after The Herald reported concerns from teachers, charities and opposition parties

The SQA launched an investigation into Higher History marking after The Herald reported concerns from teachers, charities and opposition parties

SQA releases exam appeal results but questions over History marking continue

School students doing exams

School students doing exams

Herald Poll: Should school students be judged by continuous assessment or exams?

Jenny Gilruth has rejected key recommendations from a major report her own government commissioned

Jenny Gilruth has rejected key recommendations from a major report her own government commissioned

A question of competence: what the latest education announcement says about ScotGov

What do the latest reports on exam fairness tell us about the SQA?

What do the latest reports on exam fairness tell us about the SQA?

What do the latest reports on exam fairness tell us about the SQA?

Scottish Government urged to act after steep rise in school dual-presentations

Scottish Government urged to act after steep rise in school dual-presentations

Scottish Government urged to act after steep rise in school dual-presentations

Jack Wands at St Andrew's Secondary School in 2015

Jack Wands at St Andrew's Secondary School in 2015

'Glasgow's Advanced Higher Hub got me to Oxford, its closure saddens me'

Figures from the Scottish Qualification Authority show attainment of A to C grades was 77.1%

Figures from the Scottish Qualification Authority show attainment of A to C grades was 77.1%

Scottish exams pass rate down from last year but above 2019 levels

This year, however, those discussions were apparently happening within a “sensitive approach”. But, again, what does that mean?

This year, however, those discussions were apparently happening within a “sensitive approach”. But, again, what does that mean?

SQA announces 'sensitive approach' to exam grading - but what does it mean?

Members of the EIS teachers union pictured at a rally on Glasgow Green.

Members of the EIS teachers union pictured at a rally on Glasgow Green.

Calls for urgent Scottish Government intervention over college results 'fiasco'

Catriona Stewart: At exam results it's too easy for adults to say there's no wrong path

Catriona Stewart: At exam results it's too easy for adults to say there's no wrong path

Catriona Stewart: At exam results it's too easy for adults to say there's no wrong path