It doesn’t add up! Pupils pass Higher maths on only 44%

‘Damning statistics’

PASS rates were lowered for a series of key exams as performance slumped, it was revealed yesterday.

Pupils sitting maths at Higher, Advanced Higher and National 5 levels were able to gain passes with lower results than last year.

At Higher, only 44 per cent was required to secure a C pass.

The figures come after the number of pupils achieving top exam grades fell for the fourth year in a row, with a significant decline in National 4, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘These are damning statistics which show the extent of the current issues facing the Curriculum for Excellence.

‘While grade boundaries are a vital tool within examination marking, there is a very worrying trend developing in the core subject of maths which indicates that grade boundaries have not only being lowered over recent years, but that this is happening across the different levels of maths exams.

‘It seems that pupils can routinely collect a pass in maths for less than 50 per cent and also acquire a D award at Higher for as low as 32 per cent.’

Miss Smith added: ‘That trend is surely a very major concern and, once again, it raises issues about the lack of rigour within the new curriculum.

‘That cannot be allowed to continue, since it further undermines the previous strengths of Scottish education.’

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) figures show pupils needed 67 per cent for an A at Higher maths, 44 per cent for a C and only 32 per cent for a D. That compares to last year’s 73 per cent for an A, 48 per cent for a C and 42 per cent for a D.

Similar lower thresholds were introduced at other levels.

For National 5 exams, pupils needed 67 per cent for an A, 45 per cent for a C and 33 per cent for a D.

This compares to last year’s 71 per cent for an A, 50 per cent for a C and 39 per cent for a D.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: ‘The process of setting grade boundaries is a routine part of every exam system and is undertaken by experts at the SQA completely independent of government.

‘Grade boundaries can be adjusted to ensure the same standard of work meriting an A one year merits an A the following year.’

But Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: ‘Since the National exams were introduced, academics have warned of the damaging effects of a narrowing curriculum.

‘Despite these warnings – and the evidence which has shown falling attainment each year since John Swinney became Education Secretary – he has chosen to ignore it.

‘Yet again this year, John Swinney’s response has been a disgraceful and complacent attempt to spin bad news away.

‘He is facing a legacy of cuts, unwanted reform, a narrower curriculum and falling attainment. Worse, our young people are facing a future with lower levels of attainment then they should have.

‘It is past time for Mr Swinney to sit up, pay attention and back our young people and teachers.’