School pupils across Scotland receive exam results

STV

Tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland received their exam results on Thursday with record numbers passing their Highers.

The Higher pass rate was 74.6%, a 0.4% rise on last year, with 175,492 entries, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said. The number of people sitting their exams rose this year, from 158,696 in 2009 to 160,745 this year.

Around 35,000 students opted to find out their results by text and email on Wednesday, but all pupils will receive their certificates through the letterbox in the traditional way on Thursday.

Pass rates remained relatively stable across the various qualifications, from Access level to Advance Higher. There was no change in the Standard Grade overall pass rate of 98.5%.

Education Secretary Michael Russell praised those who had taken the exams.

He said: "I'd like to convey my congratulations to students, teachers and parents for their success and high levels of attainment, which confirms the strengths of the Scottish education system.

"We know from the national headline figures that yet again Scottish students are achieving excellent results with the record Higher pass rate particularly standing out."

Pass rates at Advanced Higher dipped slightly by 0.3% to 77.5%. At Standard Grade level, 46.6% achieved Credit level, while 40.3% achieved General level and 11.6% Foundation level.

Results

Pass rates at Intermediate 2 rose 1%, though dropped 0.7% at Intermediate 1, while they rose 3.6% at Access 3 and dropped 0.7% at Access 2.

The SQA said the 74.6% Higher pass rate was a record since 2003 when a new kind of Higher was brought in.

This year, for the first time, learners were able to enter for the new Scottish Baccalaureate qualifications which consists of a group of Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications and an Interdisciplinary Project of the candidates' own choosing which is marked at Advanced Higher level.

Learners must achieve passes in at least two Advanced Highers and one Higher in the eligible courses as well as a pass in the Interdisciplinary Project.

The qualification is designed to encourage more young people to study science and languages in the later stages of secondary school. There was a pass rate of 76.8% with 51 Passes and 55 Passes with Distinction.

Chinese Higher

This year also saw the first certification for Chinese language courses at Higher and Advanced Higher levels.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA's chief executive and Scotland's chief examining officer, said: "Today over 160,000 candidates will receive the results of their hard work in the form of their SQA certificates.

"The outcome will provide tangible proof that their efforts have been worthwhile. I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved and, whether they will be returning to school or college, moving on to Higher Education or entering the workplace I wish them continued success."

Everyone receiving results can access immediate support from the National Exam Results Helpline, run by Skills Development Scotland, which offers free advice on university and college places as well as employment and training opportunities.

The National Exam Helpline will be open until August 28 and has 80 advisers on hand to help, on the number 0808 100 8000.

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