National Qualifications 14-18

Examination appeals

It’s possible to appeal against a Scottish Qualifications Agency external assessment award. However, this is only possible if the grade is lower than estimated by the examination centre (usually a school or college).

For National Courses appeals, the estimated grade must have been greater than C. For Standard Grades, the estimated grade must have been greater than 7.

How the appeal process works

The Scottish Qualifications Agency can only accept appeals made on behalf of pupils by the examination centre. Pupils and parents can’t make a direct appeal.

Before deciding to submit an appeal, the centre must be satisfied there’s good evidence the candidate was working at the estimated grade.

In the first part of the appeals process, expert teams look at the evidence. If the evidence supports it, the Scottish Qualifications Authority will award a new grade. A new certificate will be sent to the candidate, as well as a revised statement of results for the examination centre. 

If the evidence does not support an upgrade, the expert team will look at the original examination scripts. No appeal is turned down until the expert team has reviewed all the materials available.

Appeal dates

These are the appeal deadlines for 2007 examinations:

• Higher and Advanced Higher  (Stage 1 appeals) – 24 August 2007. 
• Standard Grade and Intermediate 1 and 2 (Stage 2 appeals) – 14 September 2007.       

When will you find out?

The exam centre needs to tell the Scottish Qualification Authority if the appeal result will affect entry to further or higher education in that year. These appeals will be dealt with first, in early September 2007.

The results of these urgent appeals will be given to the school and the college or university by 19 September 2007.

The other appeal decision dates are:

• Highers and Advanced Highers  – by 25 September 2007 
• Standard Grade and Intermediate 1 and 2  – by 9 November 2007       

Find our more about appeals

Visit the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) website or call the SQA helpdesk on 0141 242 2214. Alternatively, send the helpdesk an email