Qualifications 2021 - news from SQA

• Join us on Facebook and Instagram

  (30 JUL 2021)

  Join us on Facebook and Instagram for a question and answer session on Wednesday 4 August.

• National Qualifications and Higher National and Vocational Qualifications in session 2021-22

  (23 JUN 2021)

  We want to provide a short update on the work we are doing with our partners to make appropriate arrangements for the delivery of National Qualifications, and Higher National and Vocational Qualifications, in session 2021-22.

• SQA responds to Scottish Youth Parliament open letter

  (16 JUN 2021)

  SQA response to the open letter received from a range of signatories. 

• Contingency arrangement for incomplete evidence for graded National Courses in 2021

  (02 JUN 2021)

  A contingency arrangement for centres to submit provisional results by noon on 3 September 2021. This arrangement will apply if learners have not been able to complete all the required assessment by 25 June.  

• 2021 Appeals Service announced

  (07 JUN 2021)

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today announces a free appeals service, available directly to learners for the first time, covering this year's National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications.

• National Qualifications 2021 - Important message from organisations working across Scottish education

  (14 MAY 2021)

  The National Qualifications 2021 Group developed the Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and has continued to revise it in light of the  second period of lockdown and remote learning. We want to reassure students that everyone in Scottish education is working hard on their behalf to ensure that the ACM allows learners to achieve fair and credible grades, with every step possible being taken to ensure young people's wellbeing is protected through the process.  

• National Qualifications 2021 Group - Disruption to Learning

  (10 MAY 2021)

  Further to its latest update published on Tuesday 13 April 2021, the National Qualifications 2021 Group* is acutely aware that the extended lockdown between January and March has created a truncated window for the production of evidence to support professional judgement around provisional grades. In some instances, this challenge may be compounded by individual learners being required to self-isolate during the post-Easter period.

• Joint statement from SQA and Colleges Scotland

  (18 DEC 2020)

  SQA and Colleges Scotland thank all staff for their continuing help and support in dealing with the challenges which continue to face us all in session 2020-21.

• National Qualifications 2021 Group update: Alternative Certification Model Stage 2

  (13 APR 2021)

  The post-Easter term will be a busy and challenging one for everyone as we move into stage two of the alternative certification model and look to gather learner evidence in the classroom environment as fairly and robustly as possible. Many learners, parents and carers will have questions and will be looking for guidance and support. To help with this, we have summarised the key elements of this stage of the model.

• SQA comments on Deputy First Minister's decision to cancel Higher and Advanced Higher exams

  (08 DEC 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has announced that the 2021 National Qualifications examination diet has been cancelled.

• Delivering National 5 results in 2020-21

  (08 DEC 2020)

  Information on the model to support teachers and lecturers in providing provisional results for National 5 candidates in session 2020-21.

• Revised model for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in 2021

  (16 FEB 2021)

  Following the First Minister's announcement on 16 February 2021, the National Qualifications Group has shared revised arrangements for the Alternative Certification Model and the timeline for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in session 2020-21. Further information about the Appeals service for 2021 will be available following consultation.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group - National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher

  (12 JAN 2021)

  Latest update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group, following the statement given by the First Minister on Monday 4 January.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: Support and guidance for Higher and Advanced Higher in session 2020-21

  (16 DEC 2020)

  Subject-specific guidance for teachers and lecturers will be published by SQA for all subjects, on a rolling basis, throughout January 2021.

• Changes to Visiting Assessment Arrangements for National Qualifications

  (26 NOV 2020)

  We've published details of the changes to visiting assessment arrangements for Dance, Drama, Gàidhlig, Modern Languages, and Music assessments at Higher, and Advanced Higher level in session 2020-21.

• SQA update to Schools, Colleges, and Local Authorities on arrangements for National Qualifications in 2020-21

  (02 NOV 2020)

  Copy of the update issued to schools, colleges and local authorities (Heads of Centre, SQA Co-ordinators, Directors of Education, Heads of Education and Quality Improvement Officers) on Monday 02 November.

• SQA statement on arrangements for the assessment of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in the 2020-21 session

  (07 OCT 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has announced a number of measures for the awarding of National Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher in 2020-21.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

  (27 JAN 2021)

  The First Minister's announcement on 19 January 2021 confirmed that remote learning will continue until at least mid-February. Given this announcement the National Qualifications 2021 Group is overseeing changes to the alternative certification model and associated timeline that was announced in December

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: Assessment approach to National 5

  (11 NOV 2020)

  Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group which includes the Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES), Colleges Scotland, Education Scotland, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), School Leaders Scotland (SLS), the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Government.

• SQA publishes its response to the letter issued by the Scottish Parliament Education & Skills Committee on 20 August 2020

  (02 SEP 2020)

  SQA responds to the letter issued by the Scottish Parliament's Education & Skills Committee of 20 August 2020.

• National Courses in session 2020-21 - update

  (16 SEP 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has asked SQA to pause publication of outcomes of our consultations on National Courses in session 2020-21 until after publication of the Priestley Review.

• Arrangements for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in the 2020-21 session - joint statement from Scottish Government and SQA

  (14 AUG 2020)

  SQA is launching two consultations to gather feedback on modifications to qualifications and adjustments to the 2021 exam timetable.

• Joint statement from SQA and Skills Development Scotland on Foundation Apprenticeships

  (22 MAY 2020)

  SQA and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are committed to supporting learners who are undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship, at this exceptionally difficult time.