Higher result pass rates in Scotland have plunged for the fourth successive year.
Figures released this morning show 74.8 per cent of Highers were passed at A-C Grade - a two percent drop since last year.
And this follows a consistent deterioration since the new Highers were introduced in 2015. Since then there has been a 4.4 per cent pass rate reduction.
There is a similar pattern with the new Advanced Highers which has seen a 1.1 percent decrease since last year and a total 2.3 per cent drop since introduction in 2016.
In Nat 5 exams there was a marginal 0.7 per cent improvement year on year but an overall 2.9 per cent reduction since the exams started in 2014.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority’s new chief executive Fiona Robertson said: “The achievement rate remains high at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher overall.
“It is expected to see some variation in results over time.”
And she said it was important to “maintain consistency in qualifications standards”.
