SQA exam dates 2026: timetables and key information

This spring, thousands of secondary school students in Scotland will be sitting exams in each of the three final years of school: S4, S5 and S6.

After a quarter of a century of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, they will be presided over this year by the new body Qualifications Scotland after it replaced the SQA on a phased basis in recent months.

Tes has produced a handy guide with key exam dates and other useful information for candidates.

When are the Qualifications Scotland exams in 2026?

The 2026 Qualifications Scotland exam diet starts on Wednesday 22 April and finishes on Monday 1 June; Tuesday 2 June is also factored in as a “no exams contingency day”. Qualifications Scotland results day will be on Tuesday 4 August.

The planned date for the Scottish Parliament election is Thursday 7 May, but exams will take place as normal on that date.

Below we’ve listed the start and end date for each of the three sets of exams - National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher - plus when the English and maths papers will be taken.

National 5 exam dates 2026

The National 5 exams start on Wednesday 22 April, with environmental science and Spanish papers the first to be sat. National 5 exams finish on Monday 1 June, with Latin and Urdu. Here are the dates for the English and maths exams:

Thursday 30 April

• National 5 English - Reading for understanding, analysis and evaluation
• National 5 English - Critical reading

Friday 8 May

• National 5 maths - Paper 1 (non-calculator)
• National 5 maths - Paper 2

Scottish Higher exam dates 2026

The Scottish Higher exams start on Wednesday 22 April, with Spanish and environmental science. They finish on Monday 1 June, with Latin and Urdu. Here are the dates for the English and maths exams:

Friday 1 May

• Higher English - Reading for understanding, analysis and evaluation
• Higher English - Critical reading

Thursday 7 May

• Higher maths - Paper 1 (non-calculator)
• Higher maths - Paper 2

Advanced Higher exam dates 2026

The Advanced Higher exams start on Wednesday 22 April, with Spanish. They finish on Monday 1 June, with Latin. Here are the dates for the English and maths exams:

Thursday 30 April

• Advanced Higher English - Literary study
• Advanced Higher English - Textual analysis

Thursday 7 May

• Advanced Higher maths - Paper 1 (non-calculator)
• Advanced Higher maths - Paper 2

Find a full timetable of 2026 Qualifications Scotland exams here.

What happens if a student misses an exam?

Some students will be able to apply to the Examination Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (EECCS) if they are unable to attend an exam or believe their performance was affected by a personal circumstance or an unplanned incident on the day beyond their control.

This might involve a medical condition or bereavement, or a disruption to the exam that is reported by the chief invigilator.

This year the EECCS is available from Wednesday 22 April 2026; the closing date is 10 working days after the exam for which each request is made. There is no charge for this service.

Find out more about exceptional circumstances on the Qualifications Scotland website.

What adjustments can be made for disabled students?

Schools can organise assessment adjustments for disabled learners and those with additional support needs.

The setting will need to submit a request online and arrangements can be made for learners to have adapted or digital papers, reading or writing assistance and environment or timing adjustments, among other arrangements.

Find out more about assessment arrangements on the Qualifications Scotland website.

How can schools help students with revision?

Find the latest revision strategies, research and best practice on our dedicated revision hub.