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Scotland exam results hit record pass rates
On Tuesday 4 August 2026, Qualifications Scotland released exam results for more than 148,000 learners across the nation. Overall pass rates rose to 79.2 % for National 5, 76.7 % for Higher and 77.6 % for Advanced Higher, setting new records. The proportion of A‑grade passes increased to 40.3 % at National 5 and 20.9 % at Higher, while Advanced Higher A‑grades fell slightly to 30.9 %.
Regional data showed continued improvement in the Highlands, where the National 5 A‑C pass rate reached 76.9 % and Advanced Higher pass rates climbed to 74.3 %. Education Secretary Mairi McAllan called the outcomes “incredibly positive” and highlighted the narrowing attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas. The Scottish government noted that £1.75 billion has been invested in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, with up to £200 million allocated for this year to further close poverty‑related gaps.
Students across Renfrewshire and other council areas celebrated the results, planning next steps into further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Entities
Highland Council · Mairi McAllan · Qualifications Scotland · Renfrewshire Council · Scottish Attainment Challenge
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Advanced Higher pass rate was 77.6 % in the 2025/26 session. www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 148,000 learners received exam results across Scotland. www.renfrewshire24.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] National 5 pass rate was 79.2 % in the 2025/26 session. www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Education Secretary Mairi McAllan described the results as “incredibly positive”. www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] £1.75 billion has been invested in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade, with up to £200 million allocated for this year. www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Higher pass rate was 76.7 % in the 2025/26 session. www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Highland Advanced Higher pass rate increased to 74.3 %. www.highland.gov.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Highland National 5 A‑C pass rate rose to 76.9 %. www.highland.gov.uk