School pupils to start exam period earlier than originally planned, SQA announces

Scotland’s students will start sitting exams earlier than originally scheduled this year after concerns were raised about the timetable putting increased pressure on youngsters.

The Scottish Qualifcations Authority (SQA) announced the exams diet for those taking National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications will now start on Friday April 25.

It had originally planned to hold the first exams on Monday April 28 – with this date being chosen so pupils would have had a full week back at school after the Easter break before the assessments get under way.

But the SQA said concerns had been raised by pupils and parents about an increase in “coincident and consecutive exams” – where two or more exams are scheduled to take place at the same time, or where a student is scheduled to sit one exam directly after another.

Exams will still finished as planned on Monday June 2, the SQA added

Jean Blair, director of operations at the qualifications body, said: “SQA works with external stakeholders when drafting the examination timetable. Our top priority is developing a timetable that allows learners to produce their best work on the day of their exams.

“As the Easter holidays are later this year, we responded to feedback from partners and produced a compressed timetable to allow learners more time to prepare for their exams. This led to a rise in coincident and consecutive exams.

“We have listened to and share the concerns raised by schools, colleges, learners and parents/carers about this.

“The new timetable will ease pressure for many learners giving them a better chance to perform to the best of their abilities on the day of their exam.”

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth welcomed the move, saying: “I am pleased that the SQA has listened to the concerns raised on behalf of pupils, parents and carers, which means important changes have been made to the 2025 exam timetable.

“This solution significantly reduces the number of coincident and consecutive exams.”

While she added that changing the exam timetable at this stage “may bring some challenges”, she stressed it was being done “with young people’s best interests in mind”.

The education secretary continued: “I hope this will provide some reassurance to pupils who will soon be preparing to sit their exams and I am grateful to all those making accommodations to support this change.”