The SQA has released the results of 2024 exam appeals, with information having now been issued to schools and colleges.

However, the SQA has also admitted that an investigation into problems with the marking of Higher History is still ongoing - despite students' individual appeals in this subject having now been decided.

The exam board said that this review is being carried out "independently by our Head of Standards", but a Scottish Government spokesperson told The Herald that the work will be "reviewed independently" if this is deemed "necessary".

The appeals system allowed those unhappy with their grades to request that their exam paper is checked, but did not involve a full remarking of those papers, nor was there any facility for students to submit additional or alternative evidence as part of a standard appeal. Full information about results, including national submission levels and success rates, will not be published until December.

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In August, 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 for this year’s Higher History exam.

They explained that more detailed answers had been demanded than has previously been the case, and that no warning of the change had been provided. As a result, the SQA was accused of “moving the goalposts” after the exam had taken place.

Critics argued that this altered approach was behind a 25% drop in pupils’ performance levels in the Scottish History part of the exam, and a thirteen percentage point decline in the overall pass rate.

The SQA had insisted that marking has been “consistent with previous years”, and that the sudden falls in test scores and pass rates was simply down to poorer performance from students. Education secretary Jenny Gilruth initially refused to intervene, but ultimately bowed to pressure and demanded a meeting with SQA leaders.

However, during this meeting, the SQA confirmed that it had u-turned and that an investigation had been launched. No public announcement of this decision had been made.

Concerns have been raised that the investigation lacks credibility and independence as it is being carried out by an SQA official rather than an external expert.

The SQA has confirmed that the review, which was due to conclude last week, is still ongoing. The Herald has asked the exam board if it is able to confirm when it will be completed, but has only been told that information will be provided “as soon as we can”.

However, concerns have been raised about the fact that History appeals have already been decided: appeal judgments are based on whether the original marker has correctly applied the national marking standard, but it is the detailed application of the marking standard, and the accusation that this had been altered after the exam, that the SQA is currently investigating.

The exam board has previously stated that "action will be taken" if the review uncovers any "issues".

Gavin Yates, Executive Director of national parent group Connect, said: “It’s imperative for public confidence in the SQA that these matters are resolved as quickly as possible. Being open and transparent with data is key to improving that confidence.

“It is really disappointing that the Higher History issue has not yet been resolved and I’m hopeful that the SQA leadership will agree with me that providing clarity for learners should be their absolute top priority.”

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The SQA initially refused to comment on this story, but did so when The Herald queried how judgments had been made for Higher History marking standards when a review into the application of those standards remains ongoing.

In response, a spokesperson for SQA said: "The review of Higher History is being carried out independently by our Head of Standards. As we have previously said, if any issues are uncovered then action will be taken."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: "This is a matter for the SQA’s Head of Standards to take forward - it is essential this work is done thoroughly to ensure the credibility of our qualifications.

"The Cabinet Secretary met with the Chief Examiner and Chair of the SQA and has asked to be updated on progress of the investigation. It is important that SQA has committed to publish the findings of their investigation and, if necessary, ensure it is independently reviewed."