Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth is to request a meeting with senior SQA officials to discuss “concerns” over the marking of Higher History exam papers.
Last month, The Herald revealed that teachers, including current exam marks, had accused the SQA of ‘moving the goalposts’ and subjecting students to an ‘unfair’ marking process. They explained that more detailed answers had been demanded than has previously been the case, and that this altered approach was behind a 25 percent drop in pupils’ performance levels in the Scottish History part of the exam.
The SQA insisted that marking had been “consistent with previous years”. The Scottish Government originally declined to intervene, stating that the exam board would carry out its own review, but has now confirmed that Ms Gilruth will meet with the SQA on 18 September after the release of the 2024 exam papers and marking instructions sparked fresh demands for an investigation.
Teachers have told The Herald that the documents clearly demonstrate “the reality of stricter marking and greater detail required” than had previously been the case for Higher History students.
Despite this, a spokesperson for the SQA again insisted that there were “no changes to the marking standards, principles, or instructions for either the assignment or the question papers for the Higher History course in 2024.” They argued that the attainment rate for Higher History, which saw pass rates fall by 13 percentage points in a single year, “accurately reflects learners’ performance".
“More information and context are always provided in the marking instructions to support markers – clearly this information and context is adapted every year to reflect the changes to the questions.
“All Higher History markers have been given the opportunity to provide further feedback and raise any concerns and we have received only a very small number of responses.”
However, this position has been rejected by opposition parties who insist that an external, independent investigation must take place in order to ensure accountability and confidence in the exam system. Teachers have also told The Herald that the culture within the SQA means that many feel they cannot be honest in their feedback without risking reprisals from the exam board.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: “It’s clearly unjust that there’s no transparent mechanism to deal with situations like this, especially when there is such a clear case for investigation.
“The SQA has been mired in one scandal after another since the 2020 marking debacle and the SNP government has promised reform for years.
“Yet nothing at all has happened, other than a proposed name change that looks like a purely cosmetic exercise. We need an examination system that addresses concerns from pupils, teachers and parents directly, openly and fairly. Jenny Gilruth should stop kicking this issue down the road and step in urgently to resolve it.”
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Education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said: "When even SQA markers are saying that the goalposts were moved, then it is time for an outside investigation. Pupils taking life-changing exams should have confidence in the process.
"There has been considerable criticism of SQA decision making in recent years, with the pandemic grading farce only the most prominent example.
“It's why we need proper reform with a new qualifications body which has accountability and is subject to scrutiny. But whilst we await those reforms we need an independent investigation into the situation with Higher History."
Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Pam Duncan Glancy said: “The SNP government cannot ignore the growing concerns around this marking scheme.
“Time and time again the SNP has failed to hold the SQA to account for its failures, ditching meaningful reform in favour of a rebranding exercise.
“The Education Minister must step in and investigate what exactly has gone on here so that pupils and teachers can have confidence in the results.”
The Scottish Greens were also approached but refused to comment on the matter.
Following the latest development, The Herald asked the Scottish Government whether or not the Education Secretary would now take action to address the concerns of teachers and MSP.
In response, a spokesperson repeated existing comments, stating that exam marking is “an operational matter for the SQA in its independent role as an examination body” and that the SQA itself “will be undertaking an evaluation of their awarding approaches".
They also pointed to the forthcoming Higher History course report, to be published by the SQA, which “will provide more detail on performance in exams and coursework".
They added: "However, given the concerns raised regarding this subject qualification, the Education Secretary has asked to meet with the Chief Examiner and the Chair of SQA."
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