Over 148,000 students across Scotland are awaiting exam results, which will be issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The results affect future subject choices and further education, after a three-month wait since exams were taken.
This year marks the first results day under the new qualifications body Qualifications Scotland, replacing the controversial SQA, but the system remains unchanged. Results will be released early in the morning.
When and how will results be delivered?
Students who signed up for digital notifications via their MySQA account will receive results by text or email at 8am on August 4. Others will receive their marks by first-class post, meaning delivery times may vary depending on local postal rounds.
Results include Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, and National Certificates.
Grading system explained
National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher exams are graded A to D. Grade boundaries are set after marking, typically with 50% for a C, 70% for an A, and 85% for an Upper A, but these are adjusted based on average scores. A grade D (40-49%) counts as a pass, while a score below 40% results in no course award. National 2, National 3, and National 4 courses are not graded—they are assessed as pass or fail.
Support and appeals
From 8am on August 4, Qualifications Scotland's learner support hub will be available at 0345 279 1000, open until 6pm that day, and then from 8:30am to 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. School guidance staff can also help with the appeal process.
The deadline for individual appeals is August 15, with priority for those with conditional university or college places, training, or employment dependent on grades—priority deadline August 11. School or college appeals can be lodged until August 20 for priority cases and August 28 for others.
