Pupils petition SQA over Higher English exam

A exam paper which was changed at the last minute over fears of a leak has become the subject of a petition.

The petition, lodged on the change.org website, demands the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) explain why the CfE Higher English exam was difficult and changed less than 48 hours before the pupils sat it.

Over 8,600 have signed the petition.

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Last week the SQA changed the paper as a “precautionary measure” over a potential leak of its contents.

The exam body issued a statement reassuring candidates and parents. “All our exams, including this Higher English paper, are subject to the same rigorous standards of scrutiny to ensure candidates are able to display their knowledge and understanding,” it said.

However the petition urges the SQA to take circumstances into account when setting the grade boundaries.

“To simply issue a statement of reassurance and to say not to be anxious or worried is not good enough and the SQA must take these unforeseen circumstances into account, not only when they are marking candidates exam papers but also when they are setting the grade boundaries.”

The SQA has aid it is “inappropriate” to comment until after a review is completed.

Last year pupils petitioned the SQA over the new Higher Maths exam complaining it differed from what was taught in the curriculum. The pass mark was later lowered to just 34 per cent.