SCOTLAND’s exam body has admitted this year’s tests have been graded much ‘more generously’ following two years of disruption due to Covid.
Nearly 140,000 Scottish pupils will be receiving their exam results on Tuesday by text, email or letter.
The SQA say in a bid to “ensure fairness” and in recognition of the disruption since 2019, those sitting National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher subjects could face lower grade boundaries to get better results.
A statement said: “SQA has adopted a more generous approach to grading to help ensure fairness for learners.
“This is in recognition of the fact that those preparing for and sitting exams have done so in very different circumstances from those who sat exams in 2019, having experienced disruption to their learning over two academic years.”
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Although grades may appear higher this year, SQA ensured it is still a “credible and fair” representation of knowledge and learning.
Those who are unhappy with their marks are still free to appeal – although the SQA encourages them to discuss with a teacher or parent first.
You can register for an appeal here, although priority will be given to those who have conditional offers from universities and colleges.
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Annette McKenna, Senior Operations Manager at SQA, said: “I want to thank candidates across Scotland for their hard work and dedication in preparing for and sitting their exams and assessments.
“Learners can have confidence in their grades and be proud of what they have accomplished.”
But there may be some who still don’t receive the marks they need to get into university – even after an appeal.
And that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.
The UCAS clearing system is a way for universities and colleges to fill any places they still have on their courses.
These can be filled by pupils who haven’t received the necessary grades, or even those who haven’t applied to university.
In 2020, around 70,000 pupils secured their spot in higher education through clearing, and roughly 19,000 of those hadn’t applied to uni earlier in the year.
If you’re in this position, you can search for vacancies based on your preferred university, location or subject using the UCAS search tool .
These are updated regularly, so don’t worry about losing a spot.
You can use clearing if:
- you’re applying after 30 June
- you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
- you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- you’ve paid the multiple choice application fee of £26.50
- you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application
Pupils have until October 18 to apply for a course using clearing if they are not already holding an offer from university or college, and the course still has places.
If you’re confused about how your exam has been graded, you can read about the official SQA Grade Boundaries here on results day.
It might help you decide whether to appeal if you’re unhappy about your mark.