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Exam results show improved grades Exam results show improved grades
(40 minutes later)
Nearly 160,000 school pupils across Scotland are receiving their examination results.Nearly 160,000 school pupils across Scotland are receiving their examination results.
Pass rates at both Higher and Standard Grade level have increased overall, while the numbers receiving the highest grades have also gone up.Pass rates at both Higher and Standard Grade level have increased overall, while the numbers receiving the highest grades have also gone up.
Universities Scotland said those with good grades would get a higher education place even though competition was likely to be steeper this year.Universities Scotland said those with good grades would get a higher education place even though competition was likely to be steeper this year.
Nearly 30,000 students will receive their grades by e-mail or text message.Nearly 30,000 students will receive their grades by e-mail or text message.
Certificates are being sent to 159,901 pupils this year, up from 158,627 in 2008.Certificates are being sent to 159,901 pupils this year, up from 158,627 in 2008.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said the pass rate for those sitting Highers rose 0.8% to 74.2%. For Standard Grade pupils, 98.5% received a pass, up from 98% in 2008. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said the pass rate for those sitting Highers rose 0.8 percentage point to 74.2%. For Standard Grade pupils, 98.5% received a pass, up from 98% in 2008.
The results which we publish today underline significant achievement in a stable examination system Dr Janet BrownSQAThe results which we publish today underline significant achievement in a stable examination system Dr Janet BrownSQA
The total number of exams being sat overall was down by 8,225, with the biggest falls in Standard Grade. The drop was put down to falling school rolls and more pupils taking Intermediate and Access qualifications instead.The total number of exams being sat overall was down by 8,225, with the biggest falls in Standard Grade. The drop was put down to falling school rolls and more pupils taking Intermediate and Access qualifications instead.
However, the numbers sitting Higher and Advanced Higher exams increased to its highest level for five years.However, the numbers sitting Higher and Advanced Higher exams increased to its highest level for five years.
In total, Higher pupils sat exams in 67 subjects. Those achieving a pass in English increased slightly from 68.3% to 68.9%. In Maths, the pass rate fell from 71.6% to 69.7%.In total, Higher pupils sat exams in 67 subjects. Those achieving a pass in English increased slightly from 68.3% to 68.9%. In Maths, the pass rate fell from 71.6% to 69.7%.
Pass results for Standard Grade English remained static at 98.7%, while the number of passes for Maths hit 99.3%, up from 98.7%.Pass results for Standard Grade English remained static at 98.7%, while the number of passes for Maths hit 99.3%, up from 98.7%.
Despite the increases, there were falls in the numbers achieving passes in Standard Grade subjects such as Construction, Gaelic and French, which fell 6.4%, 3.1% and 2.1% respectively.Despite the increases, there were falls in the numbers achieving passes in Standard Grade subjects such as Construction, Gaelic and French, which fell 6.4%, 3.1% and 2.1% respectively.
Seonag MacKinnonBBC Scotland Education CorrespondentSeonag MacKinnonBBC Scotland Education Correspondent
It's claimed record pass rates indicate exams have been dumbed down. And that coursework not carried out in strict exam conditions may be one reason for good marks.It's claimed record pass rates indicate exams have been dumbed down. And that coursework not carried out in strict exam conditions may be one reason for good marks.
The charges are angrily dismissed by education leaders who say success is down to hard work by pupils and staff.The charges are angrily dismissed by education leaders who say success is down to hard work by pupils and staff.
It will come as a relief to many pupils that few who receive a decent clutch of passes today will fail to win a place at Scottish universities.It will come as a relief to many pupils that few who receive a decent clutch of passes today will fail to win a place at Scottish universities.
Partly because of a falling numbers of school leavers in recent years, there appears to be spare capacity, despite a 5.9% rise in applications this year.Partly because of a falling numbers of school leavers in recent years, there appears to be spare capacity, despite a 5.9% rise in applications this year.
The bigger problem is for those seeking places at further education colleges. In May the sector reported demand was up 35%.The bigger problem is for those seeking places at further education colleges. In May the sector reported demand was up 35%.
School leavers seeking jobs may also have a tough time even with good exam passes. This age group always has a particularly difficult time finding work in recessions.School leavers seeking jobs may also have a tough time even with good exam passes. This age group always has a particularly difficult time finding work in recessions.
Scotland's Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the results were a testament to the abilities of Scotland's youngsters and a cause for optimism in the nation's economic future.Scotland's Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the results were a testament to the abilities of Scotland's youngsters and a cause for optimism in the nation's economic future.
She said: "These results clearly demonstrate that our young people have high ambitions and are achieving success.She said: "These results clearly demonstrate that our young people have high ambitions and are achieving success.
"By continuing to support Scotland's reputation for skills and learning, today's results will help to make Scotland the place to do business even in these difficult economic times.""By continuing to support Scotland's reputation for skills and learning, today's results will help to make Scotland the place to do business even in these difficult economic times."
The rise in pass rates is likely to increase the numbers applying to continue their studies.The rise in pass rates is likely to increase the numbers applying to continue their studies.
Applications to Scottish universities are up almost 6% on this time last year as the economic slowdown hits the jobs market.Applications to Scottish universities are up almost 6% on this time last year as the economic slowdown hits the jobs market.
A spokesman for Universities Scotland said: "While it will be more competitive this year, if candidates are persistent we expect them to get a place at a good university.A spokesman for Universities Scotland said: "While it will be more competitive this year, if candidates are persistent we expect them to get a place at a good university.
"The situation isn't clear yet."The situation isn't clear yet.
"But if any candidates are unsuccessful it is likely to be in the hundreds not thousands.""But if any candidates are unsuccessful it is likely to be in the hundreds not thousands."
Advice eventAdvice event
A spokesman for teaching union, the EIS, said: "While it is always difficult to compare trends in examinations results due to varying levels of difficulty in exam papers and the variable of different pupil cohorts year on year, it is clear that Scottish pupils have delivered a very solid set of results in their examinations this year."A spokesman for teaching union, the EIS, said: "While it is always difficult to compare trends in examinations results due to varying levels of difficulty in exam papers and the variable of different pupil cohorts year on year, it is clear that Scottish pupils have delivered a very solid set of results in their examinations this year."
Lecturers and student leaders have called on the Scottish Government to follow England's lead in creating extra places.Lecturers and student leaders have called on the Scottish Government to follow England's lead in creating extra places.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said it was doing much for applicants to both colleges and universities.A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said it was doing much for applicants to both colleges and universities.
But she added: "In relation to places overall, in any given year there will always be more applicants than there are places."But she added: "In relation to places overall, in any given year there will always be more applicants than there are places."
An SQA helpline has been set up for students wishing to discuss their results. The number is 0845 278 8080.An SQA helpline has been set up for students wishing to discuss their results. The number is 0845 278 8080.
BBC Radio 1's Surgery team, with Chris Moyles producer Aled Hadyn Jones, will be at the ABC in Glasgow where experts will be on hand to offer career advice to youngsters who have just received their results.BBC Radio 1's Surgery team, with Chris Moyles producer Aled Hadyn Jones, will be at the ABC in Glasgow where experts will be on hand to offer career advice to youngsters who have just received their results.
The event takes place from 1000-1300 BST on Wednesday.The event takes place from 1000-1300 BST on Wednesday.


Did you receive your exam results today? Did you get what you wanted or were you disappointed? Tell us your story.Did you receive your exam results today? Did you get what you wanted or were you disappointed? Tell us your story.
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