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A NUMBER of pupils in Scotland received their SQA exam results a day EARLY after a mistake by Royal Mail.
Over 140,000 pupils are expected to get their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results today.
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But a number of pupils in Gairloch, in the Highlands, got the important envelope yesterday, a day early.
One pupil, Ashley, told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland they usually have issues with results turning up late due to their remote location.
But they were left stunned after their grades dropped through the door ahead of schedule.
She said: “There were a few issues in the last few years with results getting to us late just because we’re so remote.
“We kind of think it’s maybe to do with the fact they’ve been late in the past so they’re really trying to avoid that and it ended up coming early.”
Royal Mail have since apologised for the mistake and the SQA are understood to be looking into what happened.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the issue was “very unusual” and welcomed the apology.
The SNP minister told the programme: “I was aware of these reports yesterday and as the programme has outlined this morning there seems to have been a problem there with Royal Mail who have subsequently apologised.
“Very, very unusual.
“It is an operational matter for the SQA but welcome to hear that apology from the Royal Mail.
“It’s not normal that young people receive their results before exam result day which is today.”
The exam period has returned to normal after disruption over the last few years because of the pandemic.
But there are some changes with the SQA announcing in February a huge change to the appeals system.
Students will now have access to a free and direct appeals service.
However, no coursework or prelims will be sent to the SQA as alternative evidence.
Instead, this year, learners who believe their final grade is incorrect will be able to request a marking review of their exam paper.
A senior marker will carry out a marking review of your SQA-marked exams.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail is immensely proud of the role we play in delivering exam results for students up and down the country.
“Yesterday, a very small number of people in the Highlands and Islands received their exam results a day early.
“We took immediate steps to rectify the situation and we apologise to those affected.
“Today, exam results were successfully delivered to more than 100,000 learners.”
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