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Exam pass rate up to record high

Maths exam in progress at Pittville High School, Cheltenham. Wednesday March 2nd 2012.
Photo credit should read : David Davies/PA Wire
Maths exam in progress at Pittville High School, Cheltenham. Wednesday March 2nd 2012. Photo credit should read : David Davies/PA Wire

After years of hard work and weeks of worry since sitting vital exams, pupils will receive their all-important results.

And it seems there will be good news for most as pass rates have risen to a record high.

Almost half the S4 pupils who sat the final batch of Standard Grades passed at credit level and more than four in five pupils most of them in S5 or S6 passed the equivalent Intermediate 2 tests.

More than three-quarters of the Highers sat resulted in passes too.

The results were welcomed by Angela Constance, minister for youth employment.

She said: “The wait for tens of thousands of Scotland’s pupils and their families is finally over and I am delighted that so many have come out with strong grades, leaving them well positioned for whatever they choose to do next.

“The exam pass rates are building on a solid record of achievement, meaning that today is a time for celebration.

“Record pass rates in a set of rigorously assessed exams confirm Scotland’s strong record in attainment and I wish the class of 2013 the very best of luck in their next steps, be it another year in school, or moving on to college, university, training or employment.”

Pupils sat over 300,000 Standard Grades, which are being phased out.

Normally seven subjects are studied, including English and maths, and the overall pass rate is high as the exams are designed to offer assessment and certification for all children. This year it was 98.9%, up 0.1%.

However, a breakdown of the figures showed the proportion of pupils passing at credit level was up 1.4% to 49.4%.

Ms Constance said: “Standard Grades have served our young people well for their academic and working lives since the 1980s. However, the introduction of National 4 and 5 courses next year is a fundamental part of Curriculum for Excellence, meaning that young Scots will be better prepared than ever to succeed in learning, life and work.”

For more on this story see The Courier or try our digital edition.