More than 148,000 people across Scotland are receiving their exam results today, with the new exams body Qualifications Scotland issuing grades for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, and vocational courses from 08:00. According to the article, around 131,000 learners sat exams in over 460 schools, colleges, and training centres this year, while 17,000 will receive their results for vocational courses digitally. The pass rate for National 5 qualifications rose from 78.4% in 2025 to 79.2% this year, while the rates for Higher and Advanced Higher also increased by around 0.8%. Students who don't get the results they're hoping for can seek support through Qualifications Scotland's learner support hub on 0345 279 1000 or from guidance staff at their school.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Why this leaning score
The language used is generally neutral, but the text mentions that 'the number of pupils achieving an A, B or C grade at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher has increased again in 2026', which could be interpreted as a subtle hint at positive trends, leaning slightly right.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.42 for article 254 · logged 2026-08-04
- Published
More than 148,000 people across Scotland are receiving their results today.
asserted
people → publish → results
The results for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Skills for Work Awards are being issued from 08:00 on Tuesday.
asserted
results → issue → Tuesday
The system is now run by new exams body Qualifications Scotland, which took over from the SQA after a number of controversies in previous years.
asserted
which → run → years
Advice lines offering support and guidance will be open over the coming days.
asserted
lines → offer → days
Here is everything you need to know.
asserted
you → need → ?
What time will Scottish exam results arrive?
asserted
results → arrive → ?
The results are being issued for Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers - as well as the more vocational National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, and National Certificates.
asserted
results → issue → Work
More than 131,000 learners sat exams in more than 460 schools, colleges and training centres this year, while 17,000 will receive their results for vocational courses.
asserted
17,000 → sit → courses
The results are sent out by first-class post but many students have opted to also receive their grades digitally.
asserted
students → send → grades
Text messages and emails are due to be sent to the 67,000 candidates who have an activated My Qualifications Scotland, external account from 08:00 onwards.
asserted
who → send → 08:00
Every learner will also receive their results by post, but it will depend on when their mail normally arrives.
asserted
mail → receive → post
Courses at National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher are graded A-D.
National 2, National 3, and National 4 courses are not graded - the units that make up these courses are assessed as pass or fail.
asserted
that → grade → courses
Grade boundaries vary from year to year.
asserted
boundaries → vary → year
Qualifications Scotland sets initial grade boundaries for their assessments at 50% for a C, 70% for an A, and 85% for an Upper A.
asserted
Scotland → set → A.
This is the starting point for deciding the final grade boundaries, which are set at meetings in June and July after marking has been completed.
Details of the 2026 grade boundaries have now been published - you can see the full details here for each subject here, external.
asserted
you → decide → subject
If you receive a grade D result this usually means you scored between 40 and 49% in the course assessment.
asserted
you → receive → assessment
Candidates who score less than 40% are not awarded a national course and will receive a no award result.
asserted
who → score → result
The number of pupils achieving an A, B or C grade at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher has increased again in 2026.
asserted
number → achieve → 2026
The National 5 qualifications figure rose from 78.4% in 2025 to 79.2% this year.
asserted
figure → rise → %
The rate for Higher increased from 75.9% to 76.7%, and the rate for Advanced Higher rose from 76.7% to 77.6%.
asserted
rate → increase → %
What happens if you fail your exams?
asserted
you → happen → exams
There is lots of support available if you don't get the results you are hoping for.
asserted
you → be → results
Qualifications Scotland's learner support hub can be reached on 0345 279 1000.
asserted
hub → reach → 1000
It will open at 08:00 on results day and will stay open until 18:00.
asserted
It → open → 18:00
Guidance staff at your school will also be on hand to provide help.
asserted
staff → provide → help
If you have a conditional offer for university or college that you don't meet, you can apply to Ucas' clearing process, external which is used by universities and colleges to fill empty places.
asserted
which → have → places
Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the agency which supports training and skills for work, will also operate an advice line on 0808 100 8000.
asserted
which → support → 8000
Advisers will be able to offer guidance on vacancies at colleges and universities; the clearing system for universities; apprenticeships; jobs; volunteering; or staying on at school.
asserted
Advisers → offer → school
Can I appeal my grade?
asserted
I → appeal → grade
Yes, and every year thousands of pupils do.
Before anyone sits an exam, their school, college or training centre submits estimated grades for every candidate to Qualifications Scotland.
asserted
school → do → Scotland
If you don't think your grade is correct, you should first talk to your school or college.
asserted
you → think → school
It can contact the exam board on your behalf and ask for your marks to be reviewed.
asserted
marks → contact → behalf
You can also submit your own appeal, external.
asserted
You → submit → appeal
Appeals will be subject to a marking review - a check that marks have been added up and submitted correctly and a check that the marking meets the national standard.
asserted
marking → add → standard
An appeal can be prioritised if you have a conditional place at university or college, or are in training or employment that depends on your grade.
asserted
that → prioritise → grade
The deadline for individuals to submit a priority appeal is 11 August, or 25 August for other appeals.
asserted
individuals → submit → appeals
If the appeal is being lodged by your school or college, the deadlines are 20 August for priority cases and 28 August for others.
asserted
deadlines → lodge → others
- Published
More than 148,000 people across Scotland are receiving their results today.
asserted
people → publish → results
The results for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Skills for Work Awards are being issued from 08:00 on Tuesday.
asserted
results → issue → Tuesday
The system is now run by new exams body Qualifications Scotland, which took over from the SQA after a number of controversies in previous years.
asserted
which → run → years
…and 34 more, not listed.
