SQA exam results day for young Highlanders show increase in National 5 and Higher pass rates
SQA exam results day for young people across the Highlands has shown an increase in National 5 and Higher pass rates.
Young people across the Highlands are receiving their SQA exam results today (August 5), an early snapshot of attainment data indicates improvement made at both National 5 and Higher. The A to C pass rate for National 5 this year is 76.4 per cent compared to 75.6 per cent in 2024, while the A to C pass rate for Higher is 74.2 per cent which is a 2.8 per cent increase from 2024.
New positive statistics from the Highland Council show:
• There has been an increase in pupil presentations at National 5 in S4, with 39.3 per cent gaining five awards at A to C grade compared to 37 per cent in 2024.
• In S5, the proportion of young people achieving five Higher awards at grades A to C has increased by 2.3 per cent, rising from 13.6 per cent in 2024 to 15.9 per cent.
• There has been an increase in the number of young people gaining three awards A to C in S5, with 36.5 per cent, which has increased by 2.4 per cent from 2024.
• There was improved attainment by from our most deprived areas at National 5 and Higher. In S4 there is a 1.5 per cent increase in the young people gaining five National 5 A to C awards. In S5, the percentage of pupils gaining three awards a Higher has increased by 5.8 per cent, while in S6 there has been an increase of 2.3 per cent awards at Advanced Higher.
• While there has been a slight decrease in Higher English pass rate with a pass rate of 71.9 per cent compared to 72.0 per cent, there has been a 4.3 per cent increase in Higher Maths and Applications of Maths which are at 73.9 per cent compared with 69.6 per cent in 2024.
A fuller picture will be available later in the year when other accreditation such as college courses and wider achievement awards are finalised.
Education Committee chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “Today marks a significant milestone for all the pupils receiving their SQA exam results, and this year’s data from across Highland reflects the resilience and hard work of all our young people and their teachers. There is much to celebrate across Highland in terms of this year’s result including improvements in National 5 awards in S4, Higher in S5, and improvements in awards for young people in SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) 1 and 2 in all year groups.
“To those young people who are disappointed with any of their grades, please don’t forget that there is a great deal of support available to you in your school to help you to decide what your next steps will be. For those young people in this position, I would urge you to make contact, with your Personal Support Teacher as they will be able to give you advice, as will Skills Development Scotland Officers. I would also urge parents and carers to take time to talk over exam results with their young people and to celebrate and offer support where it is required.”
Assistant Chief Executive — People, Kate Lackie said: “I would like to congratulate all our young people today as they receive accreditation for their achievements, for both graded and ungraded course awards. Today’s results reflect the hard work of the students over many months and years of study and the support and guidance of their families, teachers and wider school staff.
“Where a young person may not have received the grades or qualifications, they set out to achieve, it is only natural that they will be disappointed. I would encourage anyone in this position to access the support and guidance that’s available to help them. It is also important to recognise that exams are not the sole route to success. Highland has a strong track record in supporting our young people to achieve positive destinations in education, training and employment, and our schools have worked hard with all our young people in developing their skills for learning for life and work.”
Help and advice is available for all students receiving their results from their own schools and from Skills Development Scotland’s dedicated Exam Results Helpline which is available for a week from today onwards to support young people.
SQA's Candidate Advice Line service is free of charge and opens at 8am - 6pm on results day and on Wednesday - Friday: 8.30am - 5pm.
Helplines
SQA Candidate Advice - 0345 279 1000.
Skills Development Scotland’s Results - 0808 100 8000.
UCAS - 0371 468 0468
More information has been sent to learners’ homes and is available at www.sqa.org.uk/results
Clearing resources can be found at www.ucas.com/clearing