SQA results 2025

[motheronthedancefloor]

Starting a results thread early, and the last one I'll do as DD has now left school!

DD has an unconditional offer for uni so these grades don't make a difference but they still matter to us, especially after the C in History last year when she was on track for an A (bastard SQA). So hoping for a good grade for AH History.

She's also doing 2 other Highers, one of them we had to complain about the teachers (long process involving GTCS, LA and SQA, all upheld), so again really hoping the grade gives a right twos-up to that teacher.

Outwardly she doesn't seem to be stressing - more worried about passing her driving test than passing her exams, probably cause of the UC offer. But I know if she passes the subject with the godawful teacher she'll be emotional.

Hows everyone else's kids doing?

so the SQA Local Authority statistics are saying everyone who sat the AH got an A or a B, well DD had nothing on her text for that subject which normallly means no award. She says she doesn't care (has an unconditional at uni) but I'm confused. Which is correct - the attainment spreadsheet or DDs text? it also says 10 did the subject, when DD insists it was 12 so where are the missing 2?

DS got a D for H Chemistry and I put the appeal in with the support of his teacher. He got upgraded to a C even though his teacher said it will unlikely happen as it was one A4 side of paper equivalent of answers for them to find somehow....but he got his C.

It is always worth a shot. Especially those of you on the thread whose DC got a D.

You don't. Pupils can ask the school for them though.

The markers don’t know the results are odd - you do, ie it is an unexpected grade. It is not a remark; a senior marker won’t be remarking a paper - if it is not in line with standards then that is as likely to mean the paper is several marks out as much as just one mark out. It is the whole paper that is assessed to check the marking is in line with standards, not every question. There isn’t any calculating of marks going on - they are entered onto the computer as they go.

The point is, being at the boundary by itself does not indicate a failure. Worth submitting an appeal just in case but it is a reason why the rate of successful appeal is low - loads of people hoping for an extra mark but no particular reason to think the result is wrong..

What do you mean? There are many courses that require 5As at higher in S5 to get into. Quite a lot of kids would be gutted with 4As and a B as it would mean they couldn’t get on the course they wanted.

Marks are not counted by a person they are added up as they input each score along the way. Papers are marked online for quite some time. A remark checks that each question was given the correct mark.

@motheronthedancefloor I'd wait for the certificate to check the grade for the missing subject as mistakes can happen. Last year our DC was one of the few who received an initial text from the SQA which was completely blank, which our DC assumed meant no grades had been awarded for any highers! Thankfully the correct text arrived a few hours later.

They must have seriously mucked up with DS's H Chemistry paper last year to find an A4 sheet of marks out the bag to upgrade from a D to a C then... that's incredible. Makes you wonder how many more students should have been upgraded...

My insistence as a parent paid off. He got the grade he deserved.

I've had a look at the grade boundaries, and it looks like higher physics was a tough paper, they've lowered the grade boundaries by about 4% on each of the grades! Politics and Env Sci both have been dropped a bit too. None of the grade boundaries have been raised by much for the highers. Chemistry and maths by 1-2% but thats about it.

In the grand scheme of things 4As and a B are very good Higher results compared to the average as a PP has said. The results being posted on this thread are not average for students across Scotland today.

I agree that my sons marks are very good, but unfortunately a B in Physics is not good enough for his first choice university programme (engineering) so he is very disappointed and worried re if he’ll get a conditional offer on his advanced Highers. Other universities asked for 5 or 6 As for the course he wants, he’s not aiming for the university with the toughest entrance requirements either.

I think people can forget that standards to get in to uni are often very (impossibly?) high compared to in the past and our kids are allowed to be disappointed.

We are very proud of him and have told him so of course.

This exactly. I do appreciate it’s disappointing for your child if they needed 5 As for medicine etc but 4 A’s and a B is a still an excellent result and will give your child so many options.

I’m not expecting straight A’s for DS but regardless I’ll still be incredibly proud of him. School exams are just one small step in the journey and it’s important to keep perspective.

Academic success is only one form of success. It can be achieved in many different forms.

All about perspective.
What an enormous amount of pressure on the children, in a lot of cases fuelled by the parents.
Most people want the best for their children and it isn't always measured by academic results.
Chilldren need to be congratulated for doing their best.
The contents of this thread reflect unhealthy comparing and palpable disappointment.
I appreciate that the "children" are young adults.
I have recollections of people comparing notes and grades re their children in the workplace.
Celebrating all young people's achievements!

Yes, but today it results day for academic exams and those results will bring disappointment for many regardless of the level of their ambition. It is ok to recognise their disappointment.

I am not disappointed IN my son who got ABCCC. I am disappointed FOR him because he had hoped for better and deep down he knows that he could have studied more.

It also means that he is not going to be able to take the skive subjects he had hoped to do in S6 and will have to switch into either resitting one, or taking others.

Agree that comparing is never healthy, my DS has no intention of applying for law, medicine or a course requiring AAAAA. Getting straight As in your highers is not the average result.

DS was also recovering from a medical condition affecting his heart whilst studying for exams so it's actually a miracle he did as well as he did this year. We are really proud of him as others are this morning of their own DC who have had to soldier on through difficult circumstances. He was diagnosed with ASD just before sitting his exams as well.

Exactly. My eldest got 5 As, onto first choice uni course, hated it and swapping to go somewhere else this year! Plus I’m just as proud of his younger brother

Exactly.

That’s our results here for N5. Six As and a B so happy with that! Next year I will ensure he signs up for the text as it’s been the longest 4 hours of my life 😂 Now we’ve got highers to worry about!

They are not all marked online, I do marking and different subjects have different systems. There are some forms of assignments too in many subjects which again are marked by individuals from the actual papers.

PP has used a particular phrasing for emphasis - why on earth are you trying to correct her?

One happy DD here today and very proud parents, Nat 5 results 6 x A and 1 x B with an A in maths which was unexpected but DD happy to never have to set foot in a maths class again😂😂 just awaiting the postie with the certificate.

Finally got results here after a very long morning waiting for the postie. She's definitely going to sign up for texts next year! She got 2 A's, 4 B's and a C in Nat 5 and is delighted as she can do the Highers she wants next year. Well done to everyone and best wishes to those who didn't get what they needed.