25-04-2025
'Mix of emotions': Exam season begins for Glasgow pupils
The Scottish Qualifications Authority diet, which includes National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses, starts on Friday (April 25) and ends on May 30.
Councillor Christina Cannon, Glasgow's education convener, said: 'I know that the start of this year's exam diet will bring a mix of emotions for our young people, their families and school staff.
'I remember the feeling well. Best wishes to all our young people taking SQA exams this year and those on other learning pathways including vocational routes.'
Councillor Christina Cannon (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
She added: 'Our schools are very experienced at supporting young people at this anxious time – and young people need to be kind to themselves, take time to relax as well as revise, and they will get through it.'
Around 132,000 learners will sit exams in schools and colleges across Scotland, with two million question papers being distributed to more than 480 centres.
Results will be delivered on Tuesday, August 5 by text, email, post and online via the SQA app.
Candidates will sit exams in subjects ranging from biology and mathematics to physics and accounting.
For those taking subjects such as music, drama, practical cookery and PE, the performance and practical elements of the assessments have been taking place throughout the academic year.
In addition, many learners will be in the final stages of completing National 1 to National 4 qualifications, SQA Awards, Skills for Work courses, National Progression Awards and National Certificates which are continually assessed throughout the year.
In total, more than 147,000 candidates are expected to get their results on August 5.
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Donna Stewart, Scotland's Chief Examining Officer and Director of Qualifications Development at SQA, said: 'I would like to wish the best of luck to everyone throughout Scotland who is about to sit exams and complete assessments in the coming weeks. As you move towards the next step in your education, training, or employment, this is your opportunity to show what you've learned after months of hard work.'
John Booth, SQA Interim Chief Executive, added: 'I want to thank teachers and lecturers across the country for their dedication in supporting learners to get to this important milestone. I'm also grateful to the many thousands of them who work with us to set, invigilate and mark exams and assessments. The teaching profession is at the heart of delivering our qualifications and will have an even stronger role in the work of Qualifications Scotland.'
SQA offers a range of support services, including an exceptional circumstances service for pupils who can't sit an exam or are affected by personal situations; a free, direct appeals service - available after results day for anyone who wants a review of their marked exam; and revision materials, past papers, and the MyStudyPlan app.
Learners can also sign up for a MySQA account to receive results by text and/or email - registration is open at and must be completed by 5pm on Wednesday, July 16.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 'I would like to wish all pupils and students the best of luck with their exams this year. I know how hard they will have been working towards their qualifications during the year to get to this point today.
'This is also a big moment for all the parents, carers, teachers, lecturers and support staff who have done so much to help our young people prepare and I would like to thank them all for their ongoing support and encouragement throughout this period.'
