Two-year exams break ends today for pupils

School pupils and college students across Scotland are preparing to sit exams for the first time since the pandemic hit.

Exams for Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) National 5 and Higher and Advanced Highers start today and will run until Wednesday June 1.

Formal exams were cancelled for two years due to the pandemic.

More than 128,000 candidates will sit exams over the five-week period and most are sitting their first national exams.

SQA said it has despatched more than two million question papers to more than 500 schools, colleges and training providers being used as exam venues.

Fiona Robertson, SQA chief executive and Scotland’s chief examining officer, said: “I wish all learners the very best as they prepare to sit their exams and complete their assessments, and take their opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and what they can do.”

She added: “I also pay tribute to the professionalism of Scotland’s teachers and lecturers and their commitment to learners across the country. Their work, and that of their colleagues, plays a vital role in enabling our young people to achieve qualifications they deserve.”

Students are expected to receive their results on Tuesday August 9.

Last month, a decision was made to replace SQA and Education Scotland with new organisations as part of an overhaul of the education system following a report by education expert Professor Ken Muir.

Prof Muir’s report recommended that the SQA’s replacement be called Qualifications Scotland, though a name has yet to be decided.