When do exams start in Scotland in 2026?
The Scottish National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams in 2026 are scheduled to start on Wednesday 22 April and finish on Monday 1 June.
These are the exam dates released in advance by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), but they might change closer to the exam period. You should only use these dates as a general guide. The full SQA exam timetable 2026 for Scotland is linked on this page.
When are the National 5 and Higher maths exams 2026?
The National 5 mathematics exams will take place on Friday, 8 May (morning):
- Paper 1, non-calculator: 09:00-10:00
- Paper 2: 10:30-12:00
The National 5 application of maths exams will take place on Friday, 15 May (morning):
- Paper 1, non-calculator: 09:00-09:50
- Paper 2: 10:30-12:10
The Higher mathematics exams will take place on Thursday, 7 May (morning):
- Paper 1, non-calculator: 09:00-10:15
- Paper 2: 10:45-12:15
The Higher application of maths exam will take place on Friday, 15 May (afternoon) at 13:00-15:05.
When are the National 5 and Higher English exams 2026?
The National 5 English exams will take place on Thursday, 30 April (morning):
- Reading for understanding, analysis and evaluation: 09:00-10:00
- Critical reading: 10:30-12:00
The Higher English exams will take place on Friday, 1 May (morning):
- Reading for understanding, analysis and evaluation: 09:00-10:30
- Critical reading: 11:00-12:45
When are the National 5 and Higher science exams 2026?
The science exams are comprised of National 5 biology, National 5 chemistry, National 5 physics, Higher biology, Higher human biology, Higher chemistry and Higher physics.
When are the biology exams 2026?
The National 5 biology exam will take place on Tuesday, 28 April (afternoon) at 13:00-15:30.
The Higher biology exams will take place on Tuesday, 28 April (morning):
- Paper 1, multiple choice: 09:00-09:40
- Paper 2: 10:10-12:30
The Higher human biology exams will also take place on Tuesday, 28 April (morning):
- Paper 1, multiple choice: 09:00-09:40
- Paper 2: 10:10-12:30
When are the chemistry exams 2026?
The National 5 chemistry exam will take place on Tuesday, 12 May (afternoon) at 13:00-15:30.
The Higher chemistry exams will take place on Tuesday, 12 May (morning):
- Paper 1, multiple choice: 09:00-09:40
- Paper 2: 10:10-12:30
When are the physics exams 2026?
The National 5 physics exam will take place on Thursday, 21 May (afternoon) at 13:00-15:30.
The Higher physics exams will take place on Thursday, 21 May (morning):
- Paper 1, multiple choice: 09:00-09:45
- Paper 2: 10:15-12:30
Make your own revision timetable
Visit our study support guide on how to revise using planning and timetables to download a revision timetable template and personalise it with the dates of your own SQA exams.
What are the National 5 exam dates in 2026?
Check out the full 2026 exam timetable to find out the dates of all your National 5 exams, or use this helpful table for revision resources and dates for selected subjects like French, Gaelic or the National 5 Spanish exam.
| Subject | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Application of mathematics | Friday 15 May | Paper 1 Non-calculator 09:00–09:50, Paper 2 10:30–12:10 |
| Art and design | Tuesday 26 May | 09:00–10:20 |
| Biology | Tuesday 28 May | 13:00–15:30 |
| Business management | Friday 24 April | 09:00–11:00 |
| Chemistry | Tuesday 12 May | 13:00–15:30 |
| Computing science | Wednesday 20 May | 09:00–10:30 |
| Design and manufacture | Wednesday 13 May | 13:00–14:45 |
| Drama | Tuesday 5 May | 09:00–10:30 |
| English | Thursday 30 April | Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation 09:00–10:00, Critical Reading 10:30–12:00 |
| French | Wednesday 6 May | Reading and Writing 13:00–14:30, Listening 15:00–15:30 (approx) |
| Gaelic (Learners) | Wednesday 20 May | Reading and Writing 13:00–14:30, Listening 15:00–15:30 (approx) |
| Geography | Thursday 23 April | 13:00–15:20 |
| History | Thursday 14 May | 13:00–15:20 |
| Mathematics | Friday 8 May | Paper 1 Non-calculator 09:00–10:00, Paper 2 10:30–12:00 |
| Modern studies | Tuesday 19 May | 13:00–15:20 |
| Music | Monday 27 April | 13:00–13:45 |
| Physics | Thursday 21 May | 13:00–15:30 |
| Religious, moral and philosophical studies | Monday 11 May | 09:00–11:20 |
| Spanish | Wednesday 22 April | Reading and Writing 13:00–14:30, Listening 15:00–15:30 (approx) |
What are the Higher exam dates in 2026?
Visit the SQA website for the full 2026 exam timetable and see the dates for all your Scottish Highers, or use this helpful table for exam dates and revision guides for selected subjects including geography and history.
| Subject | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Art and design | Tuesday 26 May | 09:00–11:00 |
| Biology | Tuesday 28 April | Paper 1 Multiple Choice 09:00–09:40, Paper 2 10:10–12:30 |
| Business management | Friday 24 April | 09:00–11:45 |
| Chemistry | Tuesday 12 May | Paper 1 Multiple Choice 09:00–09:40, Paper 2 10:10–12:30 |
| Computing science | Wednesday 20 May | 09:00–11:00 |
| Design and manufacture | Wednesday 13 May | 13:00–15:15 |
| Drama | Tuesday 5 May | 09:00–11:00 |
| English | Friday 1 May | Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation 09:00–10:30, Critical Reading 11:00–12:45 |
| French | Wednesday 6 May | Reading and Directed Writing 09:00–11:00, Listening 11:30–12:00 (approx) |
| Gaelic (Learners) | Wednesday 20 May | Reading and Directed Writing 09:00–11:00, Higher Listening 11:30–12:00 (approx) |
| Geography | Thursday 23 April | Physical and Human Environments 09:00–10:50, Global Issues and Geographical Skills 11:20–12:30 |
| History | Thursday 14 May | British, European and World History 09:00–10:30, Scottish History 11:00–12:30 |
| Human biology | Tuesday 28 April | Paper 1 Multiple Choice 09:00–09:40, Paper 2 10:10–12:30 |
| Mathematics | Thursday 7 May | Paper 1 Non-calculator 09:00–10:15, Paper 2 10:45–12:15 |
| Modern studies | Tuesday 19 May | Paper 1 09:00–10:45, Paper 2 11:15–12:30 |
| Music | Monday 27 April | 14:15–15:15 |
| Physical education | Monday 18 May | 13:00–15:30 |
| Physics | Thursday 21 May | Paper 1 Multiple Choice 09:00–09:45, Paper 2 10:15–12:30 |
| Religious, moral and philosophical studies | Monday 11 May | World Religion, Morality and Belief 09:00–11:15, Religious and Philosophical Questions 11:45–12:30 |
| Spanish | Wednesday 22 April | Reading and Directed Writing 09:00–11:00, Listening 11:30–12:00 (approx) |
What are the Advanced Higher exam dates in 2026?
Many students will also be taking Advanced Higher exams in 2026. The full 2026 exam timetable has all the details about dates and times for the Advanced Higher exams and subjects.
When are the exam results in Scotland?
Scottish exam results day is on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
When the exam results in Scotland are released, visit BBC Bitesize study support for practical advice and emotional support. Check out our guide to SQA results day 2026 which covers everything you need to know.
How can I revise for my Scottish exams?
BBC Bitesize has a wide range of informative study guides to help you feel ready for your National 5 and Higher exams.
For quizzes, podcasts, flashcards and more subject-specific resources, visit the Bitesize revision collection.
Go to BBC Bitesize study support for loads more tips and advice about exam revision including getting started, staying motivated, responding to unhelpful comments about exams and the best memory hacks.
Scottish school exams timetable reform 2025
In 2024, the SQA met with stakeholders to consider a later start date for the 2025 National Qualifications timetable, which would give students a full week back at school after the Easter holidays.
The start of the timetable was therefore delayed to Monday 28 April 2025. However, concerns were raised about the resultant increase in coincident exams, where two or more exams are scheduled at the same time, and consecutive exams, where students sit two exams directly after one another.
To reduce this pressure on students, it was decided in February 2025 to revise the timetable with an earlier start date of Friday 25 April 2025.
Read more about the Scottish school exams reform on the SQA website.