SQA Results

Scotland Exam Results

Welcome to our Scotland Exam Results 2026 articles hub where you'll find all of our comprehensive coverage of this year's results day.

Qualifications Scotland

Scotland exam results 2026 - read all of our comprehensive coverage here

This is The Herald's Scotland exam results 2026 hub - where you'll find our comprehensive coverage of this year's results day.

A timeline of Scottish exam scandals from the past twelve years

A timeline of Scottish exam scandals from the past twelve years

Timeline: the recent history of Scotland's exam results scandals

The Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and many others are mulling changes to their offering. Pupils need transparency about these decisions to plan for their futures.

The Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and many others are mulling changes to their offering. Pupils need transparency about these decisions to plan for their futures.

Young people depend on universities being honest about cost-cutting plans

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Exam board admits process alleging AI cheating from pupil was not 'fair and robust'

Call for answers after exam board withheld 'damning' data from Scottish Government

Teachers have raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of Scotland's exam system.

Teachers have raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of Scotland's exam system.

Qualifications Scotland

Teachers say exam system is unfair and key information is not openly available

From the degree of religious involvement to the way exam results are treated, these are this education reporter's most jarring differences between the American and Scottish education systems.

From the degree of religious involvement to the way exam results are treated, these are this education reporter's most jarring differences between the American and Scottish education systems.

Stars, Stripes and Saltires: Americans in Scotland

The 3 differences between Scottish and American schools I couldn't understand

Pass rates for Higher History dropped sharply in 2024, with the exam board accused of 'moving the goalposts'

Pass rates for Higher History dropped sharply in 2024, with the exam board accused of 'moving the goalposts'

Qualifications Scotland

Exam board's own data 'vindicates' concerns that Higher History was harder in 2024

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

Pupils in schools across Scotland and the UK are set to benefit from the free geography learning materials.

Pupils in schools across Scotland and the UK are set to benefit from the free geography learning materials.

Edinburgh University

More than one million pupils across Scotland and UK to get free geography materials

More than 20 percent of National 5 and Higher attempts are carried out with additional exam support, such as extra time or separate accommodation

More than 20 percent of National 5 and Higher attempts are carried out with additional exam support, such as extra time or separate accommodation

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Data shows most advantaged pupils more likely to get extra support for SQA exams

SQA report says nearly a fifth of exam markers could quit due to pay and conditions

SQA report says nearly a fifth of exam markers could quit due to pay and conditions

SQA report says nearly a fifth of exam markers could quit due to pay and conditions

New research by the SQA has prompted fresh questions about the nation's exam system.

New research by the SQA has prompted fresh questions about the nation's exam system.

New SQA research raises questions about the basic fairness of Scotland's exam system

History teachers have told the SQA that its behaviour has put them off marking exams.

History teachers have told the SQA that its behaviour has put them off marking exams.

History teachers 'discouraged' from marking for SQA after 2024 results controversy

The SQA has been under pressure over Higher History since the 2024 exam results were released

The SQA has been under pressure over Higher History since the 2024 exam results were released

SQA facing new questions over response to Higher History marking 'concerns'

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will consider finding a new approach to resume the popular service of allowing pupils to download marked exam papers.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will consider finding a new approach to resume the popular service of allowing pupils to download marked exam papers.

Qualifications Scotland

Popular exam service could be brought back in the future

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?'

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

Lessons to Learn 🎓

Lessons to Learn

What does exam results day look like for two education specialists?

Scottish Conservative MSP and chair of the Scottish Parliament Education Committee, Douglas Ross, has said that Higher History results in 2025 have

Scottish Conservative MSP and chair of the Scottish Parliament Education Committee, Douglas Ross, has said that Higher History results in 2025 have

Douglas Ross renews questions about possible Higher History 'injustice'

Exam results will be delivered today

Exam results will be delivered today

LIVE: Pupils across Scotland to receive exam results

There is still no clear explanation for the drop in Higher History attainment in 2024, and a sharp reversal in this year's results raises more suspicions that something went wrong.

There is still no clear explanation for the drop in Higher History attainment in 2024, and a sharp reversal in this year's results raises more suspicions that something went wrong.

Analysis: Higher history results revive questions about 2024 controversy

Pupils in Scotland have been receiving their exam results certificates.

Pupils in Scotland have been receiving their exam results certificates.

Are all exams created equal? Analysis of grade distributions raises questions

Exam results for 2025 show improving pass rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Exam results for 2025 show improving pass rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Exam results show improvement but are still worse than pre-pandemic

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

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

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

The exceptional circumstances system is supposed to help students whose performance is affected by personal circumstances or unplanned incidents.

The exceptional circumstances system is supposed to help students whose performance is affected by personal circumstances or unplanned incidents.

Exam Essentials

What is the SQA’s exceptional circumstances service and who qualifies?

SQA admits that ‘human error’ behind failure affecting History exam marking

SQA admits that ‘human error’ behind failure affecting History exam marking

SQA admits that ‘human error’ behind failure affecting History exam marking

The exam board has been told that its approach

The exam board has been told that its approach

SQA decides it will not replace compromised material for History exam markers

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

The SQA has faced huge criticism for its handling of the 2024 Higher History exam

The SQA has faced huge criticism for its handling of the 2024 Higher History exam

SQA under pressure to publish 'lessons learned' from History marking scandal

Fiona Robertson is leaving the SQA

Fiona Robertson is leaving the SQA

Scottish exams chief Fiona Robertson steps down from role

SQA Chief Executive Fiona Robertson talking to pupils

SQA Chief Executive Fiona Robertson talking to pupils

Analysis: now Scotland's exam system needs a better leader

A teacher survey that was critical of the SQA was recalled and has still not been re-released. Emails obtained by The Herald suggest why.

A teacher survey that was critical of the SQA was recalled and has still not been re-released. Emails obtained by The Herald suggest why.

Emails call SQA response to teacher survey into question

History teachers told the Scottish Parliament's education committee that the SQA is trying to block publication of comments criticising the exam board's workplace culture.

History teachers told the Scottish Parliament's education committee that the SQA is trying to block publication of comments criticising the exam board's workplace culture.

Extraordinary Holyrood committee session sparks fresh questions for the SQA

People have reported receiving blank emails from the SQA instead of their results

People have reported receiving blank emails from the SQA instead of their results

‘Whitewash’, ‘bias’, ‘gaslighting’: teachers’ feedback dismisses SQA investigation

Fiona Robertson and Jenny Gilruth were summoned to answer questions about the Higher History marking

Fiona Robertson and Jenny Gilruth were summoned to answer questions about the Higher History marking

How a disastrous committee appearance confirmed that the SQA needs new leadership

The SQA launched an investigation after widespread concerns about the marking of Higher History papers, but critics say the exam board has been 'marking its own homework'

The SQA launched an investigation after widespread concerns about the marking of Higher History papers, but critics say the exam board has been 'marking its own homework'

Scottish Government

Government seeks teacher views as SQA admits fully independent review not considered

Why the SQA is responsible for a national scandal and must take responsibility

Jenny Gilruth will not deliver an official statement to MSPs about the Higher History marking

Jenny Gilruth will not deliver an official statement to MSPs about the Higher History marking

'The public deserve clarity' - SNP slammed for refusing statement on SQA 'fiasco'

Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy (right) says that education secretary Jenny Gilruth (left) must make a statement to parliament about the ongoing controversy

Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy (right) says that education secretary Jenny Gilruth (left) must make a statement to parliament about the ongoing controversy

Labour demands parliamentary statement from Gilruth over SQA Higher History 'saga'

John Swinney was pressed on the issue at last week's First Minister's Questions

John Swinney was pressed on the issue at last week's First Minister's Questions

Swinney has 'questions to answer' over SQA review of Higher History exam marking

SQA Chief Executive Fiona Robertson decided that the review would be carried out by a member of staff within the under-fire exam board

SQA Chief Executive Fiona Robertson decided that the review would be carried out by a member of staff within the under-fire exam board

Investigation into History marking only interviewed those with links to the SQA

People have reported receiving blank emails from the SQA instead of their results

People have reported receiving blank emails from the SQA instead of their results

History teachers respond to SQA review of Higher marking

The exam board has released the results of an investigation into exam marking after teachers and markers raised major concerns

The exam board has released the results of an investigation into exam marking after teachers and markers raised major concerns

SQA accused of 'whitewash' in Higher History marking review

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) refuses to confirm which subjects have been affected by its latest failure

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) refuses to confirm which subjects have been affected by its latest failure

SQA refusing to answer questions about missing reports into exam performance

The SQA has come under mounting pressure after originally rejecting concerns about Higher History exam marking

The SQA has come under mounting pressure after originally rejecting concerns about Higher History exam marking

Teachers unsure of standards as review of SQA marking problems remains unresolved

Veteran MSP Fergus Ewing says that the SQA must not be allowed to 'mark its own homework'

Veteran MSP Fergus Ewing says that the SQA must not be allowed to 'mark its own homework'

SNP MSP calls for government action over SQA handling of History marking review

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

The SQA had previously insisted that exam marking had been carried out as normal

The SQA had previously insisted that exam marking had been carried out as normal

SQA launches investigation into 'unfair' exam marking after weeks of pressure

Scottish students are examined more frequently than those in comparable countries.

Scottish students are examined more frequently than those in comparable countries.

How does Scotland's exam system work?

The exam board is facing calls for immediate action, and an external investigation, over claims that marking policy was changed after exams took place.

The exam board is facing calls for immediate action, and an external investigation, over claims that marking policy was changed after exams took place.

Scottish Government

SQA accused of undermining children's rights with 'unfair' exam marking approach

The SQA is under increasing pressure over the marking of Higher History papers, where student scores fell sharply

The SQA is under increasing pressure over the marking of Higher History papers, where student scores fell sharply

Scottish Government

‘Not acceptable’ – senior teachers hit out at SQA over exam marking changes

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has asked to meet SQA officials regarding the marking of Higher History papers

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has asked to meet SQA officials regarding the marking of Higher History papers

Gilruth sets SQA meeting as she bows to pressure over ‘unfair’ exam marking