Scotland sees slight improvement in 2024 exam results Amid ongoing educational challenges.
With the release of Scotland’s 2024 exam results, a slight year-on-year improvement in the overall academic performance of young people has been observed. According to the global education platform SQA, the number of students achieving A, B, and C grades at National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels has increased.
As reported by BBC and cited by "Tehsil365", over 147,000 candidates across the country received their results not only for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels but also for Skills for Work Awards and National Certificates. However, the number of students achieving comparable quality grades at the Advanced Higher level is 3% lower compared to 2019.
The SQA also noted a narrowing of the academic attainment gap between students from the most and least deprived areas. At the National 5 level, the gap now stands at 16.6%, at Higher it is 12.8%, and at Advanced Higher it is 17.1%.
Since the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence in 2014, the number of applications at the Higher level has approached 200,000 for the first time. Additionally, applications for vocational and technical education have surpassed 100,000.
Scotland’s Chief Exam Officer, Donna Stewart, praised the achievements, attributing them to the hard work and dedication of young people across the country.
In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth described the exam results as “a very positive day for Scottish education and young people.” She acknowledged the challenges faced by students labeled as the "pandemic generation" but highlighted that the 2024 results signal a return to pre-pandemic standards.
The minister further stated that the government plans to take stronger action in addressing educational inequality — a key priority since 2015. However, she also admitted that in some areas, attainment gaps have widened over the past year.
The university admissions service UCAS reported a rise in applications from 17–18-year-olds, with acceptances increasing from 16,650 in 2023 to 17,350 in 2024. Nonetheless, a decrease in mature student applications led to a slight overall decline in total admissions.
The number of international students has also grown, reaching 3,660.
Ahead of results day, Royal Mail warned of possible delays in certificate deliveries to remote island communities — including the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Arran, and Shetland — due to weather conditions. Despite this, the majority of results were expected to be delivered on time.
Some students reported delays in accessing their digital results.
The SQA Candidate Advice Service continues to operate on various days throughout the week, providing support and guidance for students as they plan their next steps in education.
At King’s Park Secondary School in Glasgow, twin sisters Maisie and Lexie shared the anxiety they experienced while waiting for their results. Maisie received five A grades at Higher level, while Lexie achieved an A at Advanced Higher and other strong results.
The exam results have also sparked political debate. Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Miles Briggs accused the government of failing to close the attainment gap. Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy acknowledged some progress but emphasized that inequality remains significant. Scottish Liberal Democrat representative Willie Rennie described the results as a reflection of government failure.