1 Feb 2026
Qualifications Scotland start date
Scottish exams and qualifications
Qualifications Scotland: what the new body means for Scottish exams
A student-friendly guide to the SQA replacement, the qualifications and exam review, 2026 dates and the longer-term changes to watch.
22 Apr–2 Jun 2026
2026 timetable window incl. contingency
4 Aug 2026
Results Day
Current answer
What has changed for Scottish students?
Bottom line: Qualifications Scotland is the new Scottish qualifications body that has replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). For current National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher students, that does not mean your 2026 exams have suddenly changed. Official transition guidance says Qualifications Scotland began on 1 February 2026 and that 2026 National Qualification exams run as normal.
“Qualifications Scotland is the new qualifications body created by the Education (Scotland) Act 2025.” — Qualifications Scotland
For students already preparing for the 2026 exam cycle, the most important official wording is from What Qualifications Scotland means for you: there are no immediate changes to courses or assessments this year because of the SQA-to-Qualifications-Scotland transition.
The separate review of Scottish exams and qualifications is longer term. The Scottish Government supports a better balance of assessment in the Senior Phase, with less emphasis on high-stakes external exams over time. But the Scottish Government has also said that “exams will remain part of our approach”. This guide is about Scotland and Scottish National Qualifications, not GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS levels or A levels.
Key facts for current National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher students
Read these first if you are trying to work out what the SQA replacement means for you this year.
Qualifications Scotland has replaced SQA.
Official transition guidance says the new body began on 1 February 2026. You may now see Qualifications Scotland branding where you previously expected SQA branding.
2026 exams continue under the official timetable.
The official 2026 National Qualifications exam window runs from Wednesday 22 April 2026 to Tuesday 2 June 2026. Results Day is Tuesday 4 August 2026.
SQA-branded resources can still be current.
Qualifications Scotland says some downloadable materials may still carry SQA branding during the changeover. Its wording is: “Please keep using all existing resources, certificates and information.” — Qualifications Scotland
Results can be sent digitally if you register in time.
Learners receive results by post on Tuesday 4 August 2026. My Qualifications Scotland text and email results sign-up closes at 5pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Some processes depend on your school, college or training provider.
Exceptional-circumstances requests and assessment-arrangement requests are handled through centres. Appeals are available after results, but current-year appeal details should be checked against official learner guidance when results season arrives.
Confirmed now vs longer-term reform
A lot of confusion comes from mixing up three things: the replacement of SQA, current exam arrangements and future qualification reform. The table below separates them.
A comparison of immediate changes, 2026 exam arrangements and longer-term Scottish qualifications reform.
| Area | What is confirmed now | What it means for students |
|---|---|---|
New body | Qualifications Scotland has replaced SQA and began on 1 February 2026. | You will see new names, web addresses and branding, but official guidance says existing services and materials continue during the changeover. |
2026 exams | Official guidance says National Qualification exams run as normal in 2026, with no transition-related change to what learners are studying or how they are assessed. | Keep preparing for your published exam, coursework and assessment requirements unless your teacher, school, college or official course page says otherwise. |
Existing resources and certificates | Qualifications Scotland says existing resources, certificates and information should still be used during the website and branding transition. | A document is not automatically out of date just because it shows the SQA name. Use current official pages and your centre’s subject guidance. |
Review of assessment | The Scottish Government wants less reliance on high-stakes external exams and a broader balance of assessment methods in the Senior Phase. | This is a reform direction, not a statement that Scottish exams have been abolished. The Scottish Government says: “exams will remain part of our approach”. |
Subject-level updates | Qualifications Scotland has sought views on proposed improvements to some current National Courses, such as reducing paper length or marks, giving more time and clarifying evidence expectations. Exams were removed from some National 5 practical subjects in 2026. | Watch your own subject page and teacher guidance. A change in one practical course is not proof that every National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher exam is changing. |
Future National Courses | Qualifications Scotland says: “Reformed National Courses will be introduced from 2031.” Scottish Government timeline material extends to SCQF Levels 6 and 7 in 2032. | Treat these as future milestones from current official plans, not changes to the 2026 exam timetable. |
2026 dates and services to watch
These are the practical dates and services current students are most likely to need. Schools, colleges and training providers can also give centre-specific instructions, including exact start times.
Key 2026 exam, results, exceptional-circumstances, appeals and assessment-arrangement information for Scottish National Qualifications students.
| Item | Current official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Exam window | The official 2026 National Qualifications exam window runs from Wednesday 22 April 2026 to Tuesday 2 June 2026. Qualifications Scotland’s exam-period news describes Monday 1 June as the final exam day and Tuesday 2 June as a contingency day. | Use the latest official timetable and the start time given by your school, college or training provider. |
Results Day | Results Day for 2026 is Tuesday 4 August 2026. | Make sure your school or college has your correct details before the summer break. |
Text and email results | My Qualifications Scotland text and email results sign-up closes at 5pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026. | Sign up before the deadline if you want text or email results as well as postal results. |
Scottish Candidate Number | Your SCN is your personal identification number for Scottish qualification records, exam answer booklets and results services. | Check your SCN before exams and before using My Qualifications Scotland. |
Exceptional circumstances | The 2026 Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service is available from 22 April and closes 10 working days after the affected exam. Only schools, colleges or training providers can submit requests. Qualifications Scotland states: “There is no charge for this service.” | Tell your centre quickly if illness, bereavement or another unexpected circumstance stops you attending an exam or affects your performance. |
Appeals | Official learner guidance says an appeals service exists after results and can be accessed directly or through a school or college. A 2026 exam-period update describes it as a free direct appeals service available after Results Day. | Use the latest official appeals guidance when Results Day approaches. Do not rely on guessed appeal dates. |
Assessment arrangements | Assessment arrangements can include support such as extra time, human readers, scribes, adapted papers or digital papers. Schools, colleges and training providers make requests. | Speak to your school, college or training provider as early as possible if you think you may need support in exams or assessments. |
What current Scottish students should do now
Use this checklist if you are taking National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher or another Scottish National Qualification in the current cycle.
-
Check your exam date and start time.
Use the latest official timetable, then confirm your centre’s start time and exam-room arrangements.
-
Keep using current official course materials.
Do not drop a course document just because it has SQA branding. Qualifications Scotland says existing resources, certificates and information should continue to be used during the transition.
-
Find your Scottish Candidate Number.
You may need your SCN for exam paperwork, My Qualifications Scotland and results services. Ask your school, college or training provider if you are unsure.
-
Register for text or email results if you want them.
For 2026, the My Qualifications Scotland sign-up deadline for text or email results is 5pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
-
Act quickly if something serious affects an exam.
If illness, bereavement or another unexpected circumstance affects your exam, tell your centre quickly because exceptional-circumstances requests are submitted by centres.
-
Ask early about assessment arrangements.
If you may need extra time, adapted papers, digital papers, a reader, a scribe or another arrangement, speak to your school, college or training provider before the exam period.
-
Treat appeals as a post-results process.
Appeals guidance can change by year. Use the latest official learner guidance after Results Day rather than relying on an old deadline.
Key terms students may see in official guidance
Official pages often use system terms. These short definitions are enough for reading guidance about the new body, the exam review and current exams.
Qualifications Scotland
Scotland’s new national qualifications body, created by the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 to replace SQA and deliver, award and reform qualifications.
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
The former Scottish qualifications body. Some SQA-branded pages and documents remain in use during the transition and can still be current.
National Qualifications
Scottish qualifications mainly taken by learners in S4 to S6 and in colleges, including National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
National 5
A Scottish National Qualification, usually graded A to D or No Award, that may involve exams, coursework or both.
Higher
A Scottish National Qualification often used for progression to further or higher education, training or employment.
Advanced Higher
A Scottish National Qualification designed to provide strong preparation for further and higher education.
Senior Phase
The S4 to S6 stage of Curriculum for Excellence, when learners build a portfolio of qualifications and prepare for next steps.
Scottish Candidate Number
A learner’s personal identification number for Scottish qualification records, exam answer booklets and results services.
Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service
The official service for some learners who cannot attend an exam or whose performance is affected by an unplanned personal or exam-day circumstance.
Appeals service
The official process for asking for a review of marked Qualifications Scotland or SQA-assessed work after results.
Curriculum Improvement Cycle
Education Scotland’s planned cycle for reviewing and improving Scotland’s curriculum, which connects to later qualification and assessment reform.
Assessment arrangements
Support for learners who need adjustments in exams or assessments, such as extra time, adapted papers, digital papers, a reader or a scribe.
Message to your school, college or exam centre
A message to send if you are unsure what applies to you
You are taking a Scottish National Qualification and need your centre to confirm practical exam details or who handles official processes for you.
Hello [teacher/exam officer], I’m taking [subject and level]. Could you confirm my exam date, start time and Scottish Candidate Number? If illness, bereavement or another unexpected circumstance affects an exam, who should I contact and what evidence would the centre need? Could you also let me know who handles assessment arrangements or appeals if I need them? Thank you.
It asks for the details your centre controls without assuming that a tutor or another outside organisation can submit official exam requests for you.
Official sources and further reading
These are the main official sources used for this guide.
- Open source
What Qualifications Scotland means for you
- Open source
What’s new about Qualifications Scotland
- Open source
Launching the new digital service
- Open source
Exam timetable and learner apps
- Open source
Your Exams
- Open source
Exceptional circumstances
- Open source
My Qualifications Scotland
- Open source
National Course improvements
- Open source
Scottish Government education reform
- Open source
Scottish Government reform timeline
- Open source
Education Secretary statement
- Open source
Education Scotland Curriculum Improvement Cycle
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Support and clarity
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.
What is Qualifications Scotland?
Qualifications Scotland is Scotland’s new national qualifications body. It was created by the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 to replace SQA, and it awards qualifications previously awarded by SQA while also taking part in longer-term review and reform work.
Has SQA been replaced?
Yes. Official transition guidance says Qualifications Scotland replaced SQA and began on 1 February 2026. Some SQA-branded pages, course documents and certificates may still be current during the transition.
Will my 2026 National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher exams change because of Qualifications Scotland?
Official guidance says 2026 National Qualification exams run as normal and that there are no changes to what learners are studying or how they are assessed because of the transition. You should still follow the official timetable and your school or college instructions.
Are Scottish exams being abolished?
No. The Scottish Government supports less reliance on high-stakes external exams over time, but it has also said exams remain part of the approach. Some subject-specific assessment changes may happen, so do not treat one course change as a change to every National Qualification.
Can I still use SQA past papers and course materials?
Yes, where they are current official resources. Qualifications Scotland says existing resources, certificates and information should continue to be used during the transition. Follow any subject-specific updates from your teacher, school, college or official course page.
What if I miss an exam or something serious happens on exam day?
The Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service may apply if you cannot attend an exam or your performance is affected by a qualifying circumstance. For 2026 it is available from 22 April and closes 10 working days after the affected exam. Only schools, colleges or training providers can submit requests, so contact your centre quickly.
When will new Scottish qualifications start?
Current official timeline material points to renewed curriculum guidance in 2027, adoption stages from 2028 and 2029, and Level 4 and Level 5 National Qualifications aligned to the evolved framework from 2031. The wider timeline extends to SCQF Levels 6 and 7 in 2032.
How do I get 2026 results by text or email?
Learners receive results by post on Tuesday 4 August 2026. You can also sign up for My Qualifications Scotland text or email results by 5pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026, using your Scottish Candidate Number.
Does this affect GCSEs or A levels?
No. This guide is about Scotland and Scottish National Qualifications such as National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A level rules belong to different qualifications systems.
Sources and references
Sources and references
- 1.What’s new about Qualifications Scotland
Official high-level description of the new qualifications body and its learner/educator focus.
- 2.Education (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament overview of the Bill/Act: replacement of SQA, functions, accreditation, charters and governance involvement.
- 3.Education (Scotland) Act 2025
Primary legislation establishing Qualifications Scotland and setting out functions.
- 4.What Qualifications Scotland means for you
Explains learner benefits, review/reform work and that Qualifications Scotland awards qualifications previously awarded by SQA.
- 5.Launching our new digital service
Explains that sqa.org.uk information remains current, existing resources/certificates should still be used, and some SQA branding remains during transition.
- 6.Qualifications Scotland seeking views on improvements to qualifications
Early National Courses reform survey, subject examples, proposed assessment changes, practical-course changes and 2031 timing for reformed National Courses.
- 7.Exam timetable and learner apps
Official 2026 timetable landing page: exams start/end dates, results day, updates and instruction to use latest timetable.
- 8.Examination Timetable 2026
Detailed official exam timetable PDF; visible SQA branding may remain valid during transition.
- 9.First Qualifications Scotland exams get underway
Current official exam-period release: exam dates, candidate volumes, results day, My Qualifications Scotland deadline and support resources.
- 10.Your Exams
Learner-facing official guide for 2026 exams, results, SCN, My Qualifications Scotland, exceptional circumstances, appeals and exam-room rules.
- 11.Exceptional circumstances
Official EECCS eligibility, deadlines, evidence, centre-only submission, no-fee statement and relationship to appeals.
- 12.My Qualifications Scotland
Official results text/email sign-up page and SCN guidance.
- 13.National Qualifications
Defines National Qualifications, senior phase context, assessment methods, grading and assessment arrangements.
- 14.Candidate registration and results
Centre-facing official page confirming SCN allocation and candidate registration facts.
- 15.Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment - final report: Scottish Government response, Introduction
Sets out the government position on changing the balance of Senior Phase assessment and reducing high-stakes exam emphasis.
- 16.Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment - Scottish Government response, Overview of Actions
Action list for assessment reform, digital assessment, rationalisation and modular exploration.
- 17.Education reform
Current policy overview for education bodies and curriculum, qualifications and assessment reform timeline.
- 18.Curriculum, Qualifications and Assessment Reform: progress to date and next steps - Timeline
Detailed official expected timeline from 2025 through 2032.
- 19.Scottish Government response to Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment: Education Secretary statement
Statement clarifying less reliance on high-stakes exams, while exams remain part of the system and are not removed from all National 5 courses.
- 20.The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC)
Explains the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and its origins in OECD recommendations.