Important
Standard Grade is no longer held. The last Standard Grade exams were sat in 2013, and they were replaced by the National Qualifications introduced with Curriculum for Excellence: National 5 replaced Standard Grade Credit, National 4 replaced General and National 3 replaced Foundation. The new National Qualifications were first awarded in 2014. Pupils in Scotland now take National 4 and National 5 instead.
Overview
Standard Grade was Scotland's main secondary school qualification for pupils aged about 14 to 16, usually studied over S3 and S4. It was introduced gradually from 1984, with different subjects starting in different years, and replaced the Ordinary Grade (O Grade). It was first awarded by the Scottish Examination Board and, from 2000, by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Each subject was offered at three levels, which the SCQF Partnership places on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework as follows:
| Level | Grades | SCQF level | Replaced by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit | 1 and 2 | 5 | National 5 |
| General | 3 and 4 | 4 | National 4 |
| Foundation | 5 and 6 | 3 | National 3 |
Grade 7 meant the course was failed. The SQA's own Standard Grade pages are no longer online, so some details here come from Wikipedia and describe the qualification as it was.
Exam pattern
Pupils typically studied about eight subjects. English and Mathematics were compulsory, along with at least one science and one social subject.
Final exams were held in May, with school preliminary exams in November. Some subjects also had coursework.
Candidates normally sat two adjacent levels in one diet: either Foundation and General papers, or General and Credit papers.
After the exam
If you have lost a Standard Grade certificate, you can order a replacement. Since 2025 this is done by Qualifications Scotland, which took over from the SQA (1995 to 2025). Results gained from 1995 onwards appear on a Scottish Qualifications Certificate; earlier results are listed on a Certified Statement. As listed on the official site in 2026, a replacement certificate costs £40, with extra charges for courier or recorded delivery.
Is Standard Grade still held?
No. The last Standard Grade exams were in 2013. They were replaced by National 3, National 4 and National 5, first awarded in 2014.
What is a Standard Grade Credit pass equivalent to today?
Standard Grade Credit sits at SCQF level 5, the same level as National 5. General sits at level 4 with National 4, and Foundation at level 3 with National 3.
How do I get a copy of my Standard Grade certificate?
Order a replacement certificate from Qualifications Scotland through its website. Results from before 1995 are issued as a Certified Statement rather than a copy of the original certificate.