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SQA publishes new exam timetable after backlash

PA Media Aerial shot of 11 male pupils sitting at desks in a hall during an exam. They are all wearing black blazers, with the exception of two who have removed their blazers to reveal white shirts. A bald male invigilator, in a dark suit, is walking down the centre of the aisle and looking down to his left. PA Media

The SQA has published a new exam timetable after a backlash over the initial scheduling of some subjects.

The 2024/25 diet for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Highers will now start a day earlier, on Friday 25 April, to reduce the number of coincident and consecutive tests.

Among the issues highlighted was the decision to hold other exams on the same day as Higher English, meaning some students would have to double up.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said she was pleased the SQA had listened to the concerns raised on behalf of pupils, parents and carers.

Gilruth said the new 2024/25 timetable "significantly reduces" the problem of exams being too close together.

She added: "While I understand that changing the exam timetable at this stage may bring some challenges, the amendments have been made with young peoples' best interests in mind.

"I hope this will provide some reassurance to pupils who will soon be preparing to sit their exams and I am grateful to all those making accommodations to support this change."

The SQA said it initially took on feedback that pupils would benefit from a full week back at school after the Easter holidays.

As a result the timetable was schedule to start on Monday 28 April.

But since it was published last year it became clear some combinations of exams clashed.

Others would have seen students sit two exams directly after one another.

The diet will end, as planned, on Monday 2 June.

Jean Blair, SQA director of operations, said: "Our top priority is developing a timetable that allows learners to produce their best work on the day of their exams.

"As the Easter holidays are later this year, we responded to feedback from partners and produced a compressed timetable to allow learners more time to prepare for their exams.

"This led to a rise in coincident and consecutive exams."

Ms Blair said the body had listened to the concerns raised in recent months.

She added: "The new timetable will ease pressure for many learners giving them a better chance to perform to the best of their abilities on the day of their exam."

Despite a decrease in the number of pupils impacted by scheduling issues overall, the changes do mean some will have consecutive exams that they did not have previously.