The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) publishes the overall pass rates today as schools and colleges receive their results through the post or via the internet. Overall, the SQA figures showed pass rates at Higher rose from 71.7% in 2007 to 73.4%, while Standard Grade passes rose from 97.6% to 98%. The proportion of pupils passing Advanced Higher was up from 74.6% to 75.8%. All were the highest since the change in exam structure in 2000.

The SQA spokesman said: "The pass rates show that, within this robust system, learners are performing well and being prepared well. It is also an indication that pupils are being put in for exams at the right level and are therefore going on to pass those exams."

The bad news is that figures however showed the decline in the number of pupils sitting Standard Grade exams,  which has dropped sharply from 433,000 in 2004 to 386,000 this year.

Web:http://www.sqa.org.uk/
Source: http://www.theherald.co.uk