Higher English Critical Reading Question Paper Research

Background

In recent years, the Higher English Qualifications Development Team received feedback on several occasions that the duration of the Higher English Critical Reading question paper was not long enough.

In response to this feedback, the Higher English Qualifications Development Team proposed to extend the duration of the Higher English Critical Reading question paper by 15 minutes. This proposed change would increase the total duration of the question paper from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, allowing learners the time to fully demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding. To examine stakeholder’s feelings about this proposed change, SQA conducted a survey to better understand the views and experiences of stakeholders in June 2025.

Research Aims

This research specifically aimed to examine stakeholder’s feelings about the current duration of the Higher English Critical Reading question paper and to determine whether they were in favour of increasing the duration of the exam by 15 minutes to a total length of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Additionally, the research sought to examine whether there could be any potential drawbacks or challenges if the duration of the assessment was increased.

Methodology

We gathered data in June 2025 via an online survey, which sought the views of educators, learners, parents or carers, SQA co-ordinators, representatives of professional bodies, and other interested individuals. The survey received 4,228 completed responses.

Key findings

• Most respondents (87%) felt that the current duration of the Higher English Critical Reading question paper is “too short”. This feeling was particularly expressed by learners, educators and parents or carers.
• There was a high level of agreement (93%) with the proposal to increase the duration of the assessment by 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. This feeling was particularly expressed by learners, educators, parents or carers and representatives of professional bodies.
• Most respondents (80%) said that they did not foresee any challenges as a result of extending the assessment.
• Some respondents felt that there could be challenges associated with this change (10%). In particular, these respondents expressed some reservations about the proposed changes due to the potential difficulties with scheduling and challenges with assessment arrangements.

Next steps

As a result of this research and the overwhelming support of respondents for the proposed change, the duration of the Higher English Critical Reading question paper will be extended to 1 hour and 45 minutes. This will take effect from the 2026 Higher English exam.

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