Exam passes up at all levels

“This is a proud day for Scotland’s young people and our education system“

POVERTY-RELATED ATTAINMENT GAP CLOSES FURTHER

Pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers have all increased again, including a record number of National 5 passes. Learners have also achieved a record number of vocational and technical qualifications, up by 121% on pre-pandemic levels.

Congratulating everyone receiving their results today, Education Secretary Màiri McAllan welcomed a narrowing of the poverty related attainment gap compared with both last year and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Results Day data, published by Qualifications Scotland for the first time, shows:

• a record 269,115 National 5 passes and an increase in Grade A percentages
• a second annual increase in the pass rate for all three graded national qualifications – National 5 (pass rate 79.2%, up by 0.8 percentage points), Highers (76.7%, up 0.8 points) and Advanced Highers (77.6%, up 0.9 points)
• an increase in the pass rate compared with 2019 for National 5 (up 1 point) and Highers (up 1.9 points)
• a narrowing in the poverty related attainment gap for A-C passes across the graded national qualifications, with attainment having gone up for both the most deprived and least deprived areas
• increases in pass rates and the percentage of A grades for learners with additional support needs across National 5 and Highers compared with last year and 2024
• more than 120,000 vocational and technical qualification awards, a record high and a 9.1% increase on last year.

The Education Secretary said: “This is a proud day for Scotland’s young people and our education system.

“My congratulations go to everyone receiving their results. I know how much hard work and resilience it takes to get here and you all deserve enormous credit.

“These are incredibly positive results across the board, with academic passes up at every level – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher – as well as record numbers of vocational qualifications. This is testament to the breadth and strength of Scotland’s education system, the professionalism of our teachers and school staff and the hard work of our young people.

“It is particularly pleasing to see another narrowing in the attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas. This builds on similar progress in the gaps for literacy and numeracy levels, as well as for the number of young people entering initial positive destinations, which has narrowed by almost two thirds since 2009-10.

“This is welcome progress but we will not be complacent and will continue to do all we can to close the poverty related attainment gap even further, having empowered headteachers and invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, with up to £200 million being invested this year as well.

“Curriculum for Excellence aims to prepare young people for their future in life, learning and work, and today’s results show that it is doing that. The diversity of qualifications – whether they are gained through academic study, vocational and technical learning or work-based opportunities – is equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to flourish in the modern world. And the range is wider than ever, with qualifications in sports, creative industries, childcare, engineering and journalism among others.

“For those young people who may be disappointed with their results, I would urge them to remember that there is no wrong path. Teachers, as well as services such as the Skills Development Scotland helpline and Qualifications Scotland Learner Support Hub, are there to help plan your next steps.”

The Results Day data has now been published by Qualifications Scotland.

Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline is now taking calls for anyone that is unsure on the next steps, whether that is in work, training or further study. 

More than 148,000 learners across Scotland will receive their results today – enabling them to progress onto their next stage in education, training or employment.

In its first year of delivering results for National Qualifications and Awards, Qualifications Scotland confirmed that the 2025-26 session resulted in:

• Overall attainment rates at A-C increasing at all levels of National Qualifications (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)
• The poverty-related attainment gap narrowed at all levels of National Qualifications (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)
• Total number of vocational and technical qualifications – the skills-based awards that unlock training and career opportunities – continuing to increase to more than 120,000
• Learners are achieving more National Qualifications and vocational and technical qualifications – but not to the detriment of one over the other

All learners will receive the traditional envelope through the letterbox containing their results and qualifications certificate. More than 67,000 of them have already received their results via email or text from 8am today, having signed up for the My Qualifications Scotland digital service.

Donna Stewart, Scotland’s Chief Qualifications and Examinations Officer, said: ‘Scotland’s learners should be proud of what they have achieved today – we are certainly very proud of them.

‘These results are a testament to their hard work and commitment. The rise in overall attainment at all three National Qualification levels and the increasing attainment in vocational and technical qualifications will rightly be welcomed in classrooms and staffrooms across Scotland.

‘The diversity of qualifications being achieved today is further evidence of the appetite for skills-based, practical qualifications along with traditional subjects, which give learners a variety of options to develop skills and build work experience that employers are looking out for. It is encouraging to see the number of vocational and technical qualifications continuing to grow to over 120,000.

‘The results for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses are evidence of the stable state of the awarding system with assessments working as intended, ensuring that learners were able to demonstrate what they know and can do.

‘I also want to thank my fellow teachers and lecturers; not only the thousands of them who play a critical role as markers and so make Results Day possible but every educator for the work they do every day to support learners, alongside support workers, parents and carers across Scotland.

‘Today is our first Results Day as Qualifications Scotland, and everyone takes our responsibility to deliver for Scotland’s learners very seriously and we feel privileged to have delivered these results to them today.’

Edinburgh College is hosting an Exam Results Day Drop In event this Thursday (6th August) at its Sighthill Campus. The event will give prospective students the chance to speak to lecturers about their applications and course options ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.

From 10am until 1:30pm, the College’s knowledgeable staff will be on hand to discuss potential options following the release of exam results, allowing students to secure places on courses for the upcoming session. Those students who have changed their mind about their original course choice, or are yet to submit an application for college but would like to study this year, are also encouraged to come along.

The Student Services team will also be available to provide advice on funding as well as the access to learning support available at Edinburgh College.

The College offers a wide variety of courses covering a range of subject areas within the Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Sciences, as well as Tourism, Hospitality and Business. Courses are delivered in a variety of study modes too, including full-time and part-time options, offering flexibility for students.

If you’re unable to make the event but would still like to discuss your options, the College will have a dedicated clearing phoneline open from the 4th of August until the 14th, from 9am to 4pm, which can be reached on 0131 297 8300.