Exam results 2024

[motheronthedancefloor]

Thought I'd get started on the exam results thread as we have a month to go!
I think, as a parent, I'm more nervous about this year (Highers) than last year (N5) as the Higher results will influence university applications.
DD tells me she's not thinking about her exams, but then she throws into conversation how 'super smart' her friends are and how they will probably get As, and also has asked me if our postcode is eligible for widening access (it isn't) so it appears to me that she IS thinking / worrying about her results.
We do have a holiday coming up which will hopefully help us all relax.
How are other kids doing?

I would like to know this too.

Yep, DS passed rest of his Highers but got a D unfortunately forH Chemistry. Missed out on a C by five marks. Incredibly frustrating 😤

I have appealed but not sure it will be entertained. His teacher has said even those three marks off a C will really struggle to get upgraded.

I know the risk of downgrading is tiny but given he's in the mid point between grades there just doesn't seem much point (and DS isn't that bothered - he has what he needs for this year).

Completely understand in your DC's situation. Especially if he has the grades he needs for moving on😊

DS not even mid boundary, so just going to try with his appeal anyway. Nothing to lose. If he was closer to a F we wouldn't bother. SQA had to lower the boundary for a C in H Chemistry, so there's a chance they might be more lenient 🫰 ha, wishful thinking on my part🤣

Anyone know how long it takes to hear back about appeals

I think it's around October/November.

It was Halloween for Nat 5s last year.

Just checked. My DS got upgraded after being 3 marks off.

Thank you for imparting that information about your own DS's appeal being a success, even three marks off the grade he was after.

Gives us a bit of hope. Seems DS's chemistry teacher just doesn't agree it's worth it. He said DS would just be "waiting two months for nothing ". Well, yes he certainly will if he doesn't try!

Does anyone know if the school is charged if an appeal is unsuccessful? How does it all work?

What is the disincentive for appealing? If it’s free and your child is closer to an upgrade than a downgrade, appeal away I say.

This doesn’t seem to be in the SQA’s interest though.

I don't think there is much disincentive. Someone on here posted a link to the stats for last year and they showed that less than five people were downgraded in an appeal last year for both Nat 5s and Highers. There were figures for advance highers too but I didn't look at them. Once the figures involved are very low they often don't provide the actual numbers. So, in other words there is a risk of being downgraded in an appeal but it is very, very low. The most likely result is that there will be no change to the grade.

His teacher has said… will really struggle to get upgraded

There is no “struggle” involved. There was either a mistake in your marking and you get upgraded, or there wasn’t and you don’t.

How do the bands work?

eg someone gets 57% and a C. Is a C 50-59% and a B 60-69% or is it 51-60% and 61-70%?

This is the higher C grade boundary’s.

SQA website has the marks for each subject and the boundary marks from A to D as some subjects are more than 100 marks.

Thanks. Found Nat 5 boundaries.

Appeals submitted for History (1 mark off) and English (2 marks off). We've decided its too risky with the other subjects which are 4/5 marks off and Chemistry was a low C despite getting full marks for the assignment (she had a tutor as she really struggled with Chemistry so a C is a great achievement).

I also wonder if the volume of appeals will make them realise they fucked up in a certain subject? I've emailed my non SNP MSP, who responded quickly, to complain about Highers being marked particularly harshly this year and History in particular seeing a big drop across the board. I also complained about appeal changes. MSP has written to the SQA and Jenny Gilruth. Not sure if it will help but the more spotlight on the shiteness of this whole situation, the better I say.

Being four or five marks off isn't necessarily risky when appealing. Very little chance of being downgraded as a PP has pointed out.

No harm in trying especially as it's free if charge.

Definitely agree with you though that the SQA have probably been seen as harsh with their marking. Then again, I know a friend of DS's got five As for S5🤷‍♀️ I suppose there will always be those who succeed regardless because of private tuition or naturally academically able.

DC 1 mark off a C so will appeal, school says they’ll do it, does it matter because I think I’d rather we did it ourselves

Appeal put in for Nat 5 Art. Very easy process.

This is a really helpful thread, thanks to all for contributing!

Can anyone advise whether the school must reveal what marks pupils received in their exams? My son was informed this morning that the school ‘cannot’ tell him. But anecdotally, children of friends and family at different schools all know their marks, as do pupils on here.

Our school do t routinely tell for some reason but if you put a subject access request into SQA they will tell you

I wonder why some schools won’t tell? Seems a long road round given that they know and it would assist him to know, but I’ll do this now, thanks very much for the info.

Or you could email the headteacher and point out your child's right to data held on them under GDPR, including their grades and percentages. Might get a quicker response that way.

@motheronthedancefloor I did that too! another year another round of nagging 🤓🤯