SQA exam results released today (Tuesday 6 August) revealed that a total of 22,644 presentations were made across Aberdeen City schools in 2024.
The results showed that not only were more pupils presented for SQA Awards (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) but that there was an increased number of presentations per pupil.
There was also a wide range of vocational courses such as National Progression Awards and Foundation Apprenticeships, which are not reported in SQA data.
4,675 young people in the Senior Phase (S4-S6) were presented for examinations, an increase of 210 from 2023. This resulted in:
- 11,236 National 5 presentations in 2024, an increase of 576 compared to 2023 with an A-C pass rate of 73.29% (National 5 at S4 pass rate 76.05%). Nationally the National 5 A-C pass rate was 77.2%.
- 5,944 Higher presentations in 2024, an increase of 255 compared to 2023 with an A-C pass rate of 73.59% (Higher at S5 pass rate 76.15%). Nationally the Higher A-C pass rate was 74.9%.
- 889 Advanced Higher presentations in 2024, an increase of 74 more than in 2023 with an A-C pass rate of 72.33%. Nationally the Advanced Higher A-C pass rate 75.3%.
In S4, there were 5.49 National 5 presentations per pupil representing an increase compared to last year and in S5 it was the same as last year with 3.68 Higher presentations per pupil.
Changes to the way that the SQA provides its data means that the figures are presented differently therefore year-on-year comparisons are less valid. Further information on this is available on the SQA website.
Councillor Martin Greig, the Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, Aberdeen City Council, said: “Well done to everyone who has received their SQA results today. I would also like to thank the wider school communities and families for the support that they have given our young people.
“While the SQA exams results are very important to all concerned I am keen to know the results of those pupils who have taken part in the National Progression Awards, Foundation Apprenticeships and Higher National Certificates. These results will give us a greater understanding of the success of our pupils who have undertaken alternative pathways through a range of different learning opportunities.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “Congratulations to all our pupils for their sterling efforts in this year’s SQA exams.
“While many will be delighted with their results, I would like to remind all our young people that if you didn’t get the results you were hoping for there are still lots of options available to you. There is lots of helpful information on the SQA website. and the Skills Development Scotland results helpline is open today (06 August) until Friday (9 August).”
National Qualifications at L5-L7 (Nat 5 = L5, Higher = L6, Adv Higher = L7) form only a part of the attainment picture for young people in Aberdeen, as is the case nationally. For example, last year in Aberdeen young people achieved in excess of 1,500 additional passes in Foundation Apprenticeships, National Progression Awards and Skills for Work courses, in addition to the National Qualifications at L2-4 (Nat 2 = L2, Nat 3 = L3, Nat 4 = L4). The number of wider course success is expected to have increased significantly when data becomes available in mid-September.
In the 2023/24 academic year, there was an increase from 23.2% (2022/23) to 24.1% in the number of international young people enrolled in Aberdeen schools where English was not their ‘first’ language.
Results day support including information on certificates and appeals is available on the SQA website.
Skills Development Scotland results helpline 0808 100 8000, is open from 8am-8pm on Tuesday 6 August and Wednesday 7 August and from 9am-5pm on Thursday 8 August and Friday 9 August.