Scottish Highers results dip
140,000 Scottish pupils are receiving their ‘Highers’ exam results, which indicate a fall in pass rates compared to last year.
While the regular talk about A-levels getting easier is fuelled by the achievements of students in England, it appears the Scottish students will suffer no such criticism of their results.
The proportion of candidates that passed their exams was 69.6%, down 0.1% on 2002 figures, though more people took exams this year than last.
This small change masks a large disparities in the performances in particular subjects. Only 59.2% of candidates passed Higher English, a fall of more than 5% on the 64.7% pass rate in 2002. This contrasts to a rise in the proportion passing maths to 66.8%.
Scottish Qualification Authority chief executive David Fraser explained that the small overall change is evidence that the exams are neither harder nor easier than in previous years. He commented: ‘The pass rate has remained steady, which indicates that while teachers and lecturers are preparing more candidates to take more qualifications at this level, the overall standard of attainment is maintained.’
He also promised that students would receive their marks, with certificates now in the hands of the Royal Mail, and helpline numbers available to help resolve any problems.
