Gathering evidence for provisional results

For session 2020-21, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses are being awarded based on provisional results. 

A provisional result is a judgement, made by teachers and lecturers, of a learner's final band. Teachers and lecturers will review and assess evidence of how a learner has performed in the course (for example, assessments they have completed) and they will use their professional judgement to determine a provisional result. This is supported by assessment resources and quality assurance.

The deadline for submitting provisional results was 25 June. View the alternative certification model for more information on what happens next.

Subject-specific guidance

Guidance on gathering evidence for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher is available from our NQ subject pages. This details the key evidence that teachers and lecturers should gather to determine provisional results for each learner.

Online course 

Our SQA Academy course ‘Determining provisional results at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher’ explains the steps teachers and lecturers should take when determining a provisional result. It also provides guidance on the high-level principles that teachers and lecturers should follow when judging learner evidence.

SQA Academy course: Determining provisional results at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher