'Record' Higher Results For Scottish Students

Exam results released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority today show Scottish students achieved a record number of Higher passes this year.

Students successfully attained 156,000 Higher passes this year - up 5.5% on 2014.

Certificates have been sent to 142,862 candidates sitting a wide range of qualifications - including new Highers for the first year and Nationals for the second year; and existing Access, Intermediates, Highers and Advanced Highers. Figures released by the SQA show Higher English passes up 17.7% to 27,902, and the pass rate for the new Maths Higher was 70.8%, similar to that in previous years. Advanced Higher passes have also increased by 4% to a record level of 18,899.

The level of difficulty of the exam continus to be taken into account during the awarding process. 

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said: "This is another strong performance by Scotland’s young people. They have worked hard, and I congratulate each and every one of them, as well as the families and carers, and teachers and lecturers who have provided support. Scotland has seen record numbers of Higher and Advanced Higher passes. Students are performing particularly well in English and in modern languages.

"Despite concerns about the new Higher Maths exam, it’s clear that the system worked, that candidates have been treated fairly, and that standards have been maintained. The checks and balances in place ensure that students who would have gained a particular grade in a qualification in any previous year will still have done so at the same grade this year."

New qualifications

This has been the final year of Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and the existing Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications. The new Advanced Higher qualifications will be available in the 2015-16 session.

National Courses replace Standard Grade and Intermediate Qualifications as part of the evolution of qualifications and represent a natural continuation in the way pupils have learned under Curriculum for Excellence. The Nationals intend to test a broader range of knowledge and skills in learners.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA's chief executive and Scotland's chief examining officer, said: "The introduction of CfE has been one of the biggest changes to the Scottish education system for a generation. These results show that all of the hard work has been worthwhile with significant progress being made towards full implementation of CfE and the new qualifications. We also want to recognise the achievements of candidates in the full range of qualifications being awarded today. There is a broadening recognition of the different ways candidates can demonstrate their skills and achieve success, whether it be National 5, the new or existing Higher, Advanced Higher, Skills for Work or National Progression Awards.

"Employers require candidates to display a wide range of qualities. Our assessments and qualifications have been designed to provide people with the skills required to succeed today and in the future whether that be further study, training or employment.

"We also look to provide qualifications which are flexible and accessible to give individuals of all abilities different routes to success. The breadth of our qualifications allows candidates to decide, with their teachers and lecturers, which qualifications and levels they pursue, depending on what is right for them.

"I would also like to pay special tribute to the 15,000 ‘appointees’ – teachers, lecturers and subject specialists - who work with SQA, and play a significant role in monitoring, marking and quality assuring our assessments.  

"As in every year, we carry out a review of assessments to ensure candidates have been able to display their skills, knowledge and understanding. If required, grade boundaries are adjusted to take account of any assessments that were easier or more demanding than intended to ensure all candidates received the grades they deserved. This means that those who would have received a grade A, B, C or D last year would achieve the same grade if they had sat this year’s exam."

An exam results helpline is available for students wishing to discuss future options - 0808 100 8000.