Education director Gillian Brydson said pupils who were due to sit exams from next week will “achieve the awards they deserve”.
She wrote to all senior secondary pupils this week with an update on how they will be graded, despite national exams being cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “Teachers have been asked to submit estimate grades for all qualifications at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.”
Results will be given by August 4.
Because schools are closed pupils in S4 to S6, who were due to sit their exams from next week, have not completed all of the coursework which would have counted towards their grades.
The SQA has decided that schools and colleges will not have to submit coursework for marking in Higher and Advanced Higher courses.
Coursework for Nat 5 subjects which had already been sent to the SQA before Covid-19 hit will not now be marked by the examiners.
The SQA said all the work already done by senior pupils will be used as part of a “suite of evidence” for teachers and lecturers to draw on as they consider estimated grades.
In her letter Ms Brydson added: “I am working closely with your headteachers to ensure that robust and consistent quality assurance processes are in place to justify decisions about estimated grades so that all young people achieve the awards they deserve.
“As well as looking at prelim results teachers will also review ongoing classwork, class tests, folio pieces, etc.
She also said: “SQA is working with the various organisations including UCAS to ensure that you are kept informed about the next steps.”
