Thousands of pupils across the country are about to start their exams.
Around 152,000 candidates at 530 schools and colleges in Scotland will sit a total of 732,000 tests between today and June 7.
Standard Grade classical studies is the first exam on the schedule and Higher early education and childcare will be the last.
The marks from all these exams will be combined with those from the coursework, projects and internal assessments which candidates have undertaken throughout the year to determine their overall results.
About 15,000 people will help to mark nearly two million exam papers and quality assure the internal assessments.
The marks will then be totted up and candidates will receive their certificates through the post on August 6.
About 33,000 people have also registered to find out their results by text or email, saving them the wait for the postman to arrive.
Janet Brown, chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, said: “Good qualifications are more important today than ever and I send my very best wishes to all candidates sitting their Standard Grades, Intermediates, Highers and Advanced Highers over the coming weeks. Their hard work and dedication will stand them in good stead to achieve their desired results.”
The pupils currently working towards their Standard Grades will be the last to take these assessments as the countdown begins to the introduction of Scotland’s new national 4 and 5 qualifications next term.
Ms Brown said: “The new qualifications are designed to provide the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to prepare students for further study, employment or training and are a natural continuation of the way pupils have learned under Curriculum for Excellence.
“These qualifications are modern, relevant and practical and designed to equip young people with a wide range of skills.”
Gill Stewart, the SQA’s director of qualifications development, said: “There is more of a focus on coursework in the new qualifications, to ensure young people are consolidating and can apply the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the year and ensure their qualifications reflect that.
“SQA has been working hard to support teachers and lecturers to make the transition to the new qualifications by running implementation events and producing assessment support materials. We will publish the final batch of materials for schools and colleges next week.”