Higher Maths Paper Sparks Anger
Thousands of pupils across Scotland have criticised this year’s Higher Maths exam, saying the paper was far more difficult and unfamiliar than anything they had prepared for in class.
More than 11,000 people have signed a petition demanding a review of the exam. The petition claims the paper was poorly structured, confusingly worded, and very different from previous years’ exams.
Many students said they struggled not because of the maths itself, but because the wording of the questions was unexpected. Some complained that the “command words” used in the paper — which tell students how to answer — were different from what teachers had prepared them for, leaving pupils unsure about what was being asked.
The exam was overseen by Qualifications Scotland, the new organisation that replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) earlier this year. The SQA had faced heavy criticism in recent years, particularly over exam grading during the Covid pandemic and controversy surrounding the 2024 Higher History exam.
One fifth-year pupil from Aberdeen, who hopes to study medicine at university, said she entered the exam feeling confident after completing several years of past papers and achieving an A grade in her mock exam. However, she said the real paper felt completely different from anything she had practised.
She explained that although she initially thought the exam looked manageable, she quickly became upset because the questions seemed unfamiliar and difficult to interpret. The stress from the first paper also affected her confidence going into the second exam.
Another student said he had hoped to continue achieving top grades and eventually study electrical engineering or law. Instead, he left the exam worried that he would miss the marks needed for university applications.
He described the experience as extremely stressful, saying many pupils were visibly upset after the exam, with some leaving in tears. He added that the second paper was just as challenging as the first and felt designed in a way that made achieving high marks unusually difficult.
A student from Perth and Kinross also criticised the wording of the questions. He said many candidates understood the mathematical concepts but struggled because the questions were unclear and inconsistent with previous exam styles.
In response, Qualifications Scotland defended the exam process. A spokesperson said all papers are written and reviewed by experienced teachers and assessors to ensure they are fair and suitable for students.
The organisation also noted that exam difficulty can vary from year to year and said this is considered during marking and grading to ensure final results accurately reflect students’ abilities.
The Scottish government has also been asked to comment on the concerns raised by pupils and teachers.
