Teaching in Scotland Resources

Year and level of study

Scottish exams : Nationals (1-5) , Higher and Advanced Higher
Elsewhere : GCSE, AS and A level.
age

Grades and Bands

Banding is different - a band 1 is good in Scotland!
bands

A GCSE is offered as two tiers : Foundation and Higher : The foundation tier allows a maximum grade 5 (B) , the GCSE Higher tier allows a maximum grade A*.
Please do not confuse this with the Scottish Higher, which is very similar in content to AS , the first year of A-Level

Comparison to USA

Pupil Progression S1 to S6

The first three years of secondary schooling follows the broad general education (BGE).
Students then make subject choices depending on personal choice and availability in their school.
Not all subjects have external exams.

National Qualifications subjects

Maths Progression from S1 to S6

Pupils currently sit exams at the end of S4, S5 and S6 :

The Hayward Review recommends the introduction of the Scottish Diploma of Achievement and for learners to only be presented for external examinations when they exit a subject.
Scottish Government Curriculum, Qualifications and Assessment Reform:progress to date and next steps.
Time line