Pupils hit by further exams crisis

Schools are waiting for sample exam questions

Scotland's school pupils have been hit by another crisis as administrative errors affect the introduction of a new system of sixth-form exams.

Delays in issuing paperwork by the Scottish Qualifications Authority mean that many schools do not have the material needed to start Advanced Higher course work.

A spokeswoman for the SQA said the delays had resulted from the high volume of paperwork involved.

Management problems at the education authority have been blamed for the problems which lead to thousands of Scottish pupils receiving incorrect Higher exam results.

The Advanced Highers were supposed to be introduced in the next two academic years as a replacement for the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies exams.

Around 5,000 pupils sit CSYS each year

The body responsible for creating the new exams, the Higher Still Development Unit, told schools that the material would be sent out by the end of June.

Only a small proportion arrived by that deadline, with many - including assessment tools, exercises and specimen questions - yet to be sent out. About 5,000 pupils sit CSYS exams each year.

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "The SQA and the Higher Still Development Unit have a well-established process whereby schools will receive a version of the national assessment bank items to enable them to proceed with the course and assessment of pupils.

"In some areas all the material is complete and in some subjects there are delays but we will make sure everyone is able to go ahead."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Qualifications Authority said they had issued national assessment materials for most of the major subjects.

There have been lengthy delays in the Higher exam results

She said they tackled the subjects, likely to have the highest take up first, then the less popular subjects next.

She refused to comment on whether this would lead to a delay on Advanced Highers courses starting in schools, but said that all materials for advanced highers would be received this month.

She said the delay had been caused by the high volume needing to be produced and that they had to be written by subject specialists

Some students caught up in Higher exams fiasco are still waiting to receive letters confirming a place at university.

University admissions service Ucas said on Friday it had received complete results for all applicants.

However, because Monday is an English bank holiday, school pupils will not receive letters confirming they have won a university place until Tuesday or Wednesday.