Scottish Examination System
How the Scottish Exam system works
The Scottish public examination system is administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). It corresponds to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in England and Wales and SQA exams are recognised for entrance to all universities in the UK.
Standard Grades, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher
Standard Grade or Intermediate level exams are usually taken in the fourth year of secondary school. They cover a broad range of subjects across the curriculum and are broadly equivalent to GCSEs in England. In fifth and sixth year, students usually follow a two year programme at Higher and Advanced Higher level. Academic and vocational subjects are offered, providing breadth and depth of study. In sixth year, pupils can improve on their Highers, take more, or progress to Advanced Higher in selected subjects. The independent sector in Scotland offers a particularly diverse range of subjects at Advanced Higher level.
AS and A levels and the International Baccalaureate
Some schools in Scotland, mainly the boarding schools, offer AS and A Levels which are run by the examination boards in England. Some other schools offer a combination of English AS and A Levels and Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, according to which they believe provide the best course of study for students. A small number of independent schools in Scotland now offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) while others are considering its merits.
Scottish and English qualifications - equivalent stages
The table, below, sets out the key stages of the Scottish qualifications system and the broadly equivalent stages in England.
| Age | Scotland | England |
|---|---|---|
| 14/15 | Senior 3 Standard Grade | 4th year GCSE |
| 15/16 | Senior 4 Intermediate 1 & 2 | 5th Year |
| 16/17 | Senior 5 Highers | Lower 6th AS |
| 17/18 | Senior 6 Advanced Highers | Upper 6th A2 |