2025 Inverclyde exam results

ALMOST 2,000 Inverclyde school pupils are finding out how they got on in their exams.

A total of 1,914 candidates are today, Tuesday 5 August 2025, receiving their Advanced Higher, Higher and National 5 results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Results started filtering through from 8am this morning via text and email while some students opted for the traditional method of waiting for their formal SQA certificate through the letterbox.

Candidates have performed particularly well at National 5 level with an increase in the overall pass rate to 90.8 per cent – up two per cent on 2024.

The pass rate at Highers also remains broadly the same at 88.3 per cent compared with previous years.

The success rate for Advanced Highers is 81.5 per cent, which is down on previous years, although there was a slight increase in the number of candidates put forward for exams this year. 

Some of the other key highlights include almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of S5 pupils gaining at least one Higher, a two-fifths (41 per cent) of students achieving three Highers, and almost a fifth (18 per cent) securing five Highers.

In National 5s, more than half (53 per cent) of all pupils achieved five passes before the end of S4.

Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of candidates gained an Advanced Higher during S6.

The results published today cover Levels 5, 6 and 7 (National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher) but a number of young people also completed courses at Levels 2, 3 and 4 which are internally assessed, along with a number who achieved qualifications at college.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s education convener, said: “Congratulations to every single young person who sat exams and completed assessments this year.

“Well done also to our education staff for supporting students and helping them to achieve their potential during a challenging time for them.

“There are slight fluctuations in the pass rates each year but Inverclyde’s performance remains positive and we continue to punch above our weight when it comes to SQA results.

“Of course, exams are just one of a number of measures of success and the curriculum is so diverse nowadays allowing for pupils to complete college and vocational courses that are more aligned with their aims and ambitions after school.

“There will be those who are perhaps disappointed with their results but please remember that there is no right – or wrong – path to reaching your goals.

“For any students or parents who are concerned about results, support is available directly from schools and through the national Results Helpline run by Skills Development Scotland with teams of expert advisers on hand to provide advice.”

 

All Results

 

S4

 

 

2023          2024               2025

Achieved five Level 5 (National 5) by end of S4

48%               48%              53%

 

S5

 

Achieved 1+ Level 6 (Higher) during S5

63%               65%              65%

Achieved 3+ Level 6 (Higher) during S5

41%               42%              41%

Achieved 5+ Level 6 (Higher) during S5

18%               17%              18%

 

S6

 

Achieved 1+ Level 7 (Advanced Higher) during S6

21%               20%              22%

 

(Pass rate at grades A-D)

 

 

2023          2024               2025

Advanced Higher

93%               89%              81.5%

Higher

88%               89%              88.3%

National 5

89%               88%              90.8%

 

Young people are increasingly studying a diverse range of courses that are assessed in different ways, many of these are internally assessed and do not complete an examination or receive an overall grade.

Additional results from college-based courses are still to come while the overall results may change at a later date depending on appeals.

Anyone needing further help or support with their results can contact the Skills Development Scotland Results Helpline for free on 0808 100 8000 or visit www.myworldofwork.co.uk.