The figures show large differences between wealthy and poor regions

East Renfrewshire led the way on several measures of achievement while neighbouring Glasgow came bottom in at least one category.

The analysis of last year's Scottish Qualifications Authority results was published by the Scottish Executive.

Overall attainment, before appeals, was "broadly similar" to the previous year.

Across Scotland, 92% of youngsters in S4 achieved the equivalent of five or more Standard Grades at foundation level.

At general level, 80% achieved five or more in S4 while the figure for credit level was 39%.

The results showed girls were still outperforming boys despite measures to try and close the gender gap.

Across Scotland, 30% of boys achieved five or more Standard Grades at levels 1 or 2, compared with 39% of girls.

At local authority level, there were marked differences between wealthy and poor areas.

East Renfrewshire topped the table for the percentage of S4 youngsters achieving five or more Standard Grades at credit level, at 54%.

Dundee and Glasgow shared equal bottom place on this score, at 23% each.

That is no improvement whatsoever Fiona Hyslop SNP health spokeswoman

For the proportion of S4s achieving the equivalent of five or more Standard Grades at general level, East Dunbartonshire came top at 89% while North Ayrshire came bottom at 69%.

In an analysis of the exam achievements of those who were in S4 the previous year, there was a similar picture.

East Renfrewshire topped the bill with 41% achieving three or more Highers or their equivalent, while North Lanarkshire and Dundee came bottom with 15% each.

For Advanced Highers, the picture was even starker.

'No movement'

In East Renfrewshire, 24% of the S4 group of two years previously achieved one or more Advanced Higher or their equivalent, compared to 6% in Glasgow.

Overall, 91% of pupils gained awards in both English and Maths at Standard Grade foundation level or better by the end of S4.

By the end of S6, 19% of the S4 group from two years previously achieved the equivalent of five or more Highers and 12% achieved at least one Advanced Higher.

SNP health spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop said the figures showed that, over the past three years, only 34% of Scotland's pupils in S4, S5 and S6 achieved a credit Standard Grade and there had been no movement in level 3 and 4 performance.