Exam results break previous records

Exam results which show improved pass rates and an increased uptake of the Scottish Baccalaureate were welcomed today by Education Secretary Michael Russell MSP.

With improved attainment in Intermediate, Higher, Advanced Higher and Baccalaureate courses and continued high achievement in standard grades, Russell praised the hard work and achievement of young people in Scotland. He continued:-“I would like to congratulate Scottish pupils for their outstanding achievements in this year’s exams. The increased attainment levels shows that all the hours of hard work and study students put in can really pay off.

Scotland’s young people clearly have high ambitions and are achieving great success. We want to build on this and deliver further improvements because better skills means better jobs and better jobs mean a wealthier Scotland for all.

Even though this was only the second year of the Scottish Baccalaureate qualification, the results show a significant increase on last year’s entries for both Science and Languages with a pass rate of 80.5 per cent. Our higher achievers are recognising the value of the qualification and the skills it provides.

Another exciting innovation this year was the introduction of a mandatory paper on Scottish history in the higher exam. I am delighted that our country and its interesting past is at the forefront of history education and we will build on this as we work towards introducing Scottish Studies into our curriculum.

The National Exam Helpline is now open and has advisers on hand to help young people who want more information on how to achieve their ambitions for future learning, training or work.

The attainment and achievements of Scottish pupils that we are seeing today are a real cause for celebration and will go a long way in improving their life chances. I want to use this as a platform to move forward and realise the ambitions of each and every young person in Scotland.”

Entries for the National Courses have increased this year at all levels between Intermediate 1 and Advanced Higher. The pass rates and percentage point changes are:

Advanced Higher – 79.3 per cent (+1.8)

Higher – 75.2 per cent (+0.5)

Intermediate 2 – 80.3 per cent (+1.3)

Intermediate 1 – 76.0 per cent (+3.2)

Standard Grade overall 98.5 per cent (no change) – of which 46.7 per cent (+0.1) achieved Credit level, 40.3 per cent (no change) achieved General level and 11.5 per cent (-0.1) achieved Foundation level

Access 3 – 91.9 per cent (+1.1)

Access 2 – 62.5 per cent (-0.3)

Of the 174 entries for the Scottish Baccalaureate, 138 were for the Science Baccalaureate and 36 were for the Languages Baccalaureate

Skills Development Scotland’s exam results advice line – 0808 100 8000 – is open to provide students and parents with instant access to help, advice and information about higher education choices and next steps. The Scottish Government’s innovative Engage for Education site allows users to read blogs from Ministers, post comments and get involved in workshops on issues relating to education.