Exam bosses have been left with an F on their report card after a blunder meant almost 30,000 pupils across Scotland received their results a day ahead of schedule.
The pupils had signed up with a service run by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to have their results sent to them by text message at 9am today.
But the firm contracted to handle the messaging mistakenly sent them early, leaving many wondering if the information they had received was |genuine or not.
Among those to receive a text was Stuart McRobbie of Dundee, who said, “I thought it was |a hoax-it was completely |unexpected.”
He decided to call the SQA to check his Higher and Advanced Higher results were genuine |before telling his parents.
He was assured the text was accurate and is now looking |forward to studying law at Dundee University.
Although his results had |arrived in error, Stuart admitted he was pleased by the mistake as he had been “dreading” going to sleep last night.
“Personally, I feel that results should be sent to students as early as possible,” he said.
Also taken aback was 15-year-old Katharine MacCallum of Barry, in Angus, who said she had received her text shortly before 1pm and was also left wondering if it might be fake because she had been expecting it today.
She said, “The (SQA) website had said it would be the same day. I didn’t check it-I just hoped it was OK. I am pleased with my results as they mean I can do the Highers I want.”
Deanna Green, from Perth, said, “I was also part of the thousands who received their results by text.”
“I DON’T think it really makes much of a difference which day you get them.
“I was quite surprised that I got them today but I’m glad I did, especially to relieve the pressure,” Deanne added.
SQA chief executive Janet Brown said it was conducting an “urgent inquiry” into the release of the texts to 29,863 candidates by external contractor AQL.
“This is always a stressful time for candidates, their parents and their families and SQA apologises for any additional stress this may have caused.
“We do want to assure candidates and their parents that no candidate will have been given early advantage.
“We have acted swiftly to ensure that candidates who have been sent texts will receive the same level of support as all of our candidates.”
The authority opened its advice line early to deal with queries. It can be contacted on 0845 278 8080.
University clearing service UCAS confirmed clearing lists would be searchable from midnight last night, but applicants would only be able to log-in to make a choice from 9am.
All 159,744 exam candidates-including those who received early texts-will get their certificates in the traditional manner by postal delivery today.
Labour education spokesman Ken Mac- intosh said, “This is a serious mistake and will cause concern for the tens of thousands of people who have not had this head start in getting their results.
“Pupils and parents need to know what has gone wrong quickly.
“SQA has made serious mistakes with results in the past and they’re meant to have tightened up their act.”
Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said, “This is extremely unprofessional and will create a great deal of anxiety and stress for pupils.”
The mistake overshadowed an encouraging set of results, with the pass rate for Highers rising 0.5% compared to last year to reach a record high of 75.2%.
There was also a 1.8% increase in the pass rate at Advanced Higher, to 79.3%.
The Standard Grade pass rate remained static at 98.5%, but there was a 3.3% increase at intermediate one to 76.0% and a 1.2% rise at intermediate two to 80.3%.
Education Secretary Mike Russell said, “I would like to congratulate Scottish pupils for their outstanding achievements in this year’s exams.”
For pupils who do not get the results they hoped for, a helpline will be available from Skills Development Scotland from 8am today on 0808 100 8000.
Advice will be available on UCAS course vacancies at colleges and universities across the UK, confirmation and clearing, employment and training opportunities and exam re-sits.