Leaked exam questions forces change in Higher English paper

Changes have been made to this year's Higher English exam paper over concerns that some questions were leaked.

Concerns over leaked exam questions has prompted a change in the Higher English paper. Picture: PA

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said action was taken to “ensure the integrity of qualifications”.

Thousands of pupils will sit the exam at schools and colleges across the country on Thursday.

Candidates are being told not to be anxious about the changes.

There are two papers in the English Higher which are sent out to schools before the date of the exam.

It was reported that the SQA had concerns that some of the questions could have been leaked, and it created a new version of one of the papers last month.

An SQA spokesman said: “A potential issue with one of the Higher English question papers was identified.

“We made the appropriate adjustments and a new paper was distributed to centres. Our chief invigilators have been informed.

“We have robust procedures in place to ensure the integrity of our qualifications. We took swift and appropriate action, meaning candidates will sit the examination as intended.”

Last year, the exams agency faced criticism for setting a maths paper which was far harder than pupils and teachers had expected.

When the results were sent out in August, it was revealed that the pass mark for the new Higher maths qualification had been lowered to just 34% due to its difficulty.

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