Results Help - Frequently asked questions
Got any questions about your SQA results? We've got the answers to lots of common questions.
Frequently asked questions on your SQA results
Results Helpline team leader Ruth Scott has answers to some of your most common questions.
Grades and appeals
Find answers to your questions about how results are graded and how to appeal.
Q. How are National 2 to Advanced Higher courses graded?
A: Courses at National 2, National 3, and National 4 levels are not graded. The units that make up the course are assessed as pass or fail.
Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher are graded A to D. These courses are usually assessed by a combination of:
- internally assessed units
- an external (graded) assessment
External assessments are graded by SQA markers as A, B, C or D. This is the grade that will appear on your certificate on results day.
Q. I can’t see one/some of my results on my SQA certificate. Why not?
A: This happens when you haven’t achieved grades A, B, C or D in the external exam for those subjects. You’ll find more details on the SQA letter you got with your results certificate. If you need to chat through your results, or talk about what happens next, just give us a call.
Q. I don't think my results represent my ability or performance. Can I appeal them?
A: SQA Appeals 2024 is a free service that you can use if you have concerns about a grade on your results certificate. You can appeal directly to the SQA or ask your school to do this for you.
The service will open on results day, Tuesday 6 August at 9am. The learner direct submission deadlines are:
- Tuesday 13 August at 11:59pm for priority appeals
- Tuesday 27 August at 11:59pm for all other appeals
Remember, your appeal can be prioritised if you have a conditional place at university or college. You can also appeal if training or employment depends on your grade.
University and college
Find out what to do if you've applied for college or university, now that you've got your grades.
Q. My results don’t meet the conditions of my firm choice, but I've been accepted by my insurance choice. What happens now?
A: Congratulations, you have a place at university! Your place at your insurance choice will be confirmed in your UCAS Hub. You should log in to your account to check your application status has updated. Here you'll find confirmation of the course you'll study, and it'll explain if there's anything else you need to do.
Q. I've got my results but have not yet heard from my choices. What should I do?
A: If you didn’t meet the conditions, they may still be considering your application. Making you an offer will depend on whether there are remaining places and the performance of other applicants. Not everyone gets their results at the same time and the university or college may have to wait a few days to see if there are any spaces.
If you've met all the conditions, but still haven’t heard from them, check they’re not waiting for further details from you. This might be your exam certificates or health checks. Check your UCAS Hub for this information or try searching in the email account you used to register with UCAS.
If the university or college has everything they should need, contact them directly to find out what's happening.
Q. I got the grades for my firm offer, but I want to change to my insurance choice. What should I do?
A: As soon as you were accepted by your 'firm choice', your 'insurance choice' would've been informed. This means that your insurance place will no longer be held for you.
First, you'll need to contact your insurance choice college or university to see if they can still offer you a place. If they agree to this, you should immediately contact your firm choice to tell them your plans. You must ask them to withdraw your offer so you can be entered into Clearing. Your insurance choice can then make you an offer through Clearing, which you can access in the UCAS Hub.
Keep in mind, when making this decision, there are no guarantees. Once your firm offer has been cancelled, you cannot automatically go back to this. Want to explore what's out there before making any decisions? Just give us a call to chat things through with a careers adviser.
Q. I didn't meet the grades for my firm choice, but I don't want to go to my insurance choice. Can I apply elsewhere?
A: You should contact your insurance choice university or college to discuss your situation. If they agree to withdraw your offer, you can then apply for another course through UCAS Clearing.
Always check the course you want to apply to is willing to offer you a place before speaking to your insurance choice. Once you withdraw your insurance choice, you cannot go back.
Q. I didn’t meet the grades, but my university or college hasn’t declined my place yet. What should I do?
A: Even if you didn't meet the conditions, the university or college may still accept you or consider offering you a place on another course. Speak to them directly to discuss your options.
You can also give us a call to explore what other options are out there.
Support and further options
We're here to support you and help you explore your next steps.
Q. I'm worried about my mental health at this time. What should I do?
A: It's understandable to feel anxious when plans change. If you're not feeling ready to make decisions right now, that's OK. It might help to talk to someone you trust and do some research into your next steps.
Our team of advisers will listen and help you explore all your options, so call us to have a chat. We've got lots of resources to support your wellbeing, which you can explore for tips and advice.
There are also lots of organisations offering support to young people who have received their results and are feeling like you. Here are some links that might help you:
It's never nice to feel big emotions like these, but you don't need to feel them alone. Help is available for you.
Even if your plans for this year need to change, there's still a world of opportunity for you to explore and many wonderful things are ahead.
Q. Do I have options which are not college or university?
A: Definitely! There are so many ways to take that first step in your career. You could:
- do a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship
- sign up for a training course
- spend time volunteering
- take a gap year
- do a combination of all these things
Call us if you'd like to chat through your options – we're here to help.
