Across Scotland, nerves are peaking and phones are buzzing as more than 147,000 pupils receive their long-awaited exam results — but for some, the wait is just a little longer thanks to wild weather knocking out mail deliveries.
Storm Floris didn’t just cause travel disruptions. It’s now delaying the one envelope Scottish teens have been both dreading and dreaming about all summer.
First-class nerves meet first-class delays
Every August, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) sends out a wave of exam results covering everything from Highers and Advanced Highers to Skills for Work Awards and National Certificates. This year’s batch is no different in its importance — but it’s hitting a slight snag.
Storm Floris has battered parts of the country, bringing winds of up to 90 mph. Royal Mail warned that first-class post, especially to the islands, would be affected. That includes:
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The Outer Hebrides
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Orkney
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Shetland
So while students in mainland Scotland are already opening their letters, some in the north and northwest are still waiting by the window, hoping for clearer skies.
Digital results roll out on time, easing some worries
Thankfully, many students had signed up for electronic notifications. These texts and emails, sent early Tuesday morning, landed right on schedule despite the storm’s chaos. For a huge number of candidates, that meant finding out their fate before breakfast.
One student from Inverness said: “The text came through at 8:03 AM and I couldn’t even breathe reading it. I passed everything. Still crying, honestly.”
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Others weren’t quite so upbeat, but at least they weren’t left hanging. The digital system helped dodge total disruption.
What’s in those envelopes: A mixed bag of qualifications
This year’s SQA results include a range of different awards. It’s not just the traditional Highers anymore. Scotland’s education landscape has shifted over the past decade, and the qualifications reflect that.
Here’s what students are receiving results for:
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Nationals (including National 4 and 5)
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Highers
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Advanced Highers
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Skills for Work Awards
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National Progression Awards
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National Certificates
That’s a lot of paperwork — and a lot of pressure. Some of these qualifications open doors to university, apprenticeships, or straight into the workforce.
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And for others, they’re a stepping stone to try again next year or pick a new path entirely.
Parents, teachers and politicians weigh in
Education Secretary Graeme Dey said he was proud of the students, especially considering the challenges many faced this year. “These results reflect the hard work, dedication and resilience of young people across Scotland.”
He also acknowledged the storm-related delivery hiccups, saying contingency planning ensured no student was left in the dark.
Teachers, meanwhile, are using the day to remind students that grades don’t define them.
One Edinburgh headteacher said, “It’s one moment in a much longer story — and we’re here to support every pupil, no matter the outcome.”
Parents, predictably, are riding the emotional rollercoaster just as hard. Some stayed up all night. Others hovered beside their children at breakfast. The tension, the pride, the relief — all of it was felt in households from Dumfries to Lerwick.
SQA data to be published later this week
The SQA is expected to release national pass rates and attainment figures later this week. This will give a clearer picture of how Scotland’s students performed overall.
We’ll get stats on how many students passed each qualification level, plus breakdowns by subject and gender.
In previous years, Higher pass rates hovered around 78%, with Advanced Highers slightly higher. But after pandemic disruptions and changes to assessment structures, this year’s numbers are being closely watched.
Here’s a quick snapshot of recent performance:
| Year | Higher Pass Rate | Advanced Higher Pass Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 78.9% | 81.3% | First year back to full exams post-COVID |
| 2023 | 77.1% | 80.5% | Stabilization year |
| 2024 | 76.5% | 80.2% | Continued normalization |
| 2025 | TBC | TBC | To be published end of this week |
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Educators say the full context matters more than the numbers alone — especially when external factors like storms delay deliveries and pile on stress.
What happens next? Appeals, clearing, and next steps
Not everyone’s waking up to good news. Some students may be disappointed — and that’s normal too. The SQA has confirmed that their appeals process is open, allowing students who believe they were marked unfairly to challenge their grades.
Others will now enter UCAS clearing, the system that matches unplaced students with available university spots. Colleges are also expected to see high interest this week as students explore alternative options.
One Glasgow school counsellor said, “This week’s about staying calm, exploring every option, and knowing that there’s no one right path.”
That path might begin today… or a little later, depending on where you live and whether the post can make it through.
