Scottish exam pass rates rise as students find out results

Two pupils react with shock after learning their exam results in Glasgow

Pass rates for Scottish exams have increased as students across the country received their results.

More than 148,000 learners have been finding out the results of their Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Skills for Work Awards.

Qualifications Scotland - which replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority last year after a number of controversies - said a record number of vocational and technical qualifications were awarded.

Figures show that the poverty-related attainment gap has narrowed compared with last year.

Admissions service Ucas said a record number of Scottish students aged 18 and under had been accepted into university or college. In total, 32,370 Scottish students of all ages secured places, up from 31,850 in 2025.

Pass rates rise as students across Scotland find out their exam results

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said it was a "proud day" for young people and the education system.

She added: "These are incredibly positive results across the board, with academic passes up at every level 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."

Statistics showed the National 5 pass rate had risen by 0.8% in 2025 to 79.2%this year.

The pass rate for Highers was up 0.8% to 76.7% while Advanced Highers rose by 0.9% to 77.6%.

A record total of 120,485 vocational and technical qualifications were achieved at levels 1-6, an increase of 9.1% compared to 2025.

More than 131,000 people sat exams in over 460 schools, colleges and training centres this year.

The attainment gap between the results achieved by students in the least deprived parts of Scotland and those in the most deprived closed a little in this year's figures - but still remains significant.

At Nat 5, the gap is 15.6 percentage points, down from 16.4%. The gap is the difference between the 86.6% of better-off students who got A to C grades this year, compared to 71% of those in the most deprived areas.

At Higher, the gap is 15.9 percentage points, down from 16.8 last year, and at Advanced Higher it is 12.1, down from 13.3.

Donna Stewart, chief qualifications and examinations officer, praised learners for 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 a