SQA publishes National Qualifications Course Reports for 2024-25

Thursday 11 September 2025

From today (Thursday 11 September), SQA will start publishing its 2025 National Qualifications course reports.

Course reports provide a comprehensive summary of how learners have performed in their exams and coursework at National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels over the past year.

Written by principal assessors, other senior appointees – who are experienced teachers and lecturers – these reports offer deep insights into learner performance highlighting areas of the course assessment where learners performed well, and address which aspects proved to be more challenging.

The reports also contain advice for teachers, lecturers, and training practitioners on preparing learners for the coming year’s exams and assessments – the first National Qualifications to be delivered by Qualifications Scotland – as well as statistical data relating to grade boundaries.

The first reports to be published today cover the following subjects: Applications of Mathematics, Art and Design, Computing Science, Dance, Drama, Engineering Science, English, Fashion and Textile Technology, Graphic Communication, Health and Food Technology, History, Mathematics, Mathematics of Mechanics, Media, Music, Photography, Practical Cake Craft, Practical Cookery, Practical Metalworking, Psychology and Statistics.

Schools and colleges will receive weekly updates with links to the latest available reports.

Donna Stewart, Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer and Director of Qualifications Development at SQA, said: ”Course reports give teachers and lecturers delivering SQA National Qualifications an invaluable insight into how learners across the country have performed in their subject at all available levels.

”The reports highlight areas where learners excelled and identify aspects of the courses that posed challenges. This detailed analysis is crucial for educators, as it helps them understand where learners performed well, and which areas of the exam and/or the coursework proved to be more demanding. The reports also include statistical data on grade boundaries, which is essential for setting realistic expectations and goals for learners.”

Ms Stewart continues: “These reports offer teachers and lecturers practical advice to help them prepare their learners for the exams and assessments they will undertake in the coming year; the first to be delivered by Qualifications Scotland.”

SQA publishes course reports every year, and they remain a key component of the support SQA puts in place for schools, colleges and training providers delivering National Qualifications. Alongside the 2025 course reports, SQA’s Understanding Standards programme will continue to offer subject specific support through online resources, webinars, and events.

Additionally, SQA’s newly appointed Senior Advisor for schools is working on a delivery plan to help drive culture change ahead of the launch of Qualifications Scotland.

Ms Stewart adds: “We encourage all practitioners to use the reports – and other available resources. They are a valuable addition to the professional learning materials SQA makes available to teachers and lecturers which explain the national standards for assessment in each course and contain examples of good learner performance.

“This, and the work done by the new schools’ unit, will ensure that in the months and years to come, SQA and in-turn Qualifications Scotland will have a stronger understanding of learning and teaching in Scotland’s schools.”

Links and further information: