Scottish exams move price down from final 12 months however above 2019 ranges
T
he Higher move price is down from final 12 months however stays above 2019 ranges, as greater than 140,000 pupils throughout Scotland obtain their examination outcomes.
Figures from the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) present attainment of A to C grades was 77.1%.
It had been 79.8% in 2022, 87.3% in 2021, 89.3% in 2020 and 74.8% in 2019.
There was an identical pattern at Advanced Higher stage, with these attaining A to C grades at 79.8%, down from 81.3% in 2022, 90.2% in 2021 and 93.1% in 2020. The move price was 79.4% in 2019.
For National 5 {qualifications}, the move price was 78.8%, down from 80.8% in 2022. It was 85.8% in 2021 and 78.2% in 2019.
About 140,000 pupils throughout Scotland obtained outcomes on Tuesday for his or her Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and nationwide certificates.
This 12 months, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has modified course assessments, put an examination distinctive circumstances service in place, taken a delicate strategy to grading, and applied a direct appeals service.
Industrial motion by lecturers led to schooling disruption within the 2022/23 college 12 months.
S5 pupils at Edinburgh’s Craigmount High School, Callum Inch and Vincent Rodziewicz, have been among the many pupils receiving their examination outcomes on Tuesday.
Both Callum, who obtained 5 As at Higher, and Vincent, who obtained a mixture of As and Bs, mentioned they have been “proud” of their outcomes, regardless of the “stressful” examination course of.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) mentioned the examination outcomes have been “strong”.
In an announcement to media, the organisation mentioned a “sensitive approach” was used to make sure equity to learners in awarding leads to 2023.
The assertion added: “This recognised that learning and teaching are still in the recovery phase from the pandemic, and took that into account while maintaining the credibility and high standards of Scotland’s qualifications.”
SQA chief govt Fiona Robertson mentioned: “Our warmest congratulations to the 140,000 learners receiving their certificates today. They should be proud of their achievements.
“Learners can be confident that the qualifications that they have earned – by demonstrating their knowledge and skills – provide a solid foundation for the next stage in their learning, training or employment. We wish them all continued success.”
She added: “Our sensitive approach to awarding this year was developed with and supported by the education community.
“It has given learners the best chance of performing to the best of their abilities.
“Together, we have delivered fairness for all learners while maintaining national standards and the credibility of our qualifications in Scotland and beyond – and learners can have confidence in their grades.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth additionally congratulated these receiving outcomes: “There is much to celebrate in what is another strong set of results showing a clear and continuing recovery from the pandemic – with pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher above the 2019 pre-pandemic level, a record number of passes at National 5 and the highest number of vocational and technical qualifications ever awarded.”
Skills Development Scotland’s helpline is obtainable for 4 days on 0808 100 8000.
Meanwhile, the outcomes figures confirmed the Higher attainment hole between essentially the most and least disadvantaged areas of Scotland has grown wider since final 12 months, whereas remaining beneath pre-pandemic ranges.
Tuesday’s examination outcomes figures present that the hole in attainment of A to C grades between the fifth most-deprived and fifth least-deprived areas stood at 16 proportion factors for 2023.
This has risen from 2022’s determine of 14.9 proportion factors.
Ms Gilruth advised the PA news company throughout a go to to Craigmount High School in Edinburgh on Tuesday that the widening hole have been a “concern”, however mentioned the Scottish Government’s essential focus was to to sort out the difficulty.
She added: “We have made progress since 2019 but not as much as I would have liked to have done.”