Scottish Examination System
How the Scottish Exam system works
The Scottish public exam system, administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), corresponds to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in England and Wales. SQA exams are recognised for entrance to all universities in the UK.
Standard Grades and Intermediate level
Standard Grade or Intermediate level exams, usually taken in the fourth year of secondary school, cover a broad range of subjects across the curriculum. They are broadly equivalent to GCSEs in England. After this, students usually follow a two year programme at Higher and Advanced Higher, in fifth and sixth year. Both academic and vocational subjects are offered, giving students breadth and depth of study and individual choice. In the sixth year pupils can improve on their Highers, take more, or continue in selected subjects to Advanced Higher.
AS and A levels and the International Baccalaureate
Some schools in Scotland also offer AS and A Levels which are run by the examination boards in England. In Scotland, AS and A Level courses may be offered with the Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher programme in some or all subjects. A small number of independent schools in Scotland now offer the International Baccalaureate (IB).
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 |