2000 SQA examinations controversy

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In 2000, Scotland introduced a new exam system. A faulty computer program and administrative mistakes led to thousands of incorrect Higher and Standard Grade certificates being sent out. The crisis lasted months and caused big disruption in schools. Several leaders resigned, including the Scottish Qualifications Authority chief executive Ron Tuck, who apologised and took responsibility.

The SQA blamed teething problems with the new system but promised students would get their results on time. They admitted some Higher Grade results could be wrong and that many certificates were incomplete or inaccurate. About 5% of schools did not receive any results at all. Bill Morton became acting chief executive after Tuck’s resignation.

The government and the SQA said the errors came from combining the correct results incorrectly, due to the new computer program, not from the exams being marked wrongly. UCAS warned that some students might miss university places because of wrong results, although they accepted the certificates as issued at first.

The SQA announced that around 2,000 certificates would be corrected the next day, with others fixed over the following days. They later said the August 21 deadline was unrealistic and aimed to fix the worst cases by September 20. An internal investigation was ordered after more mistakes were found, including over 4,000 incorrect Standard Grade certificates.

Jack McConnell became Education Minister and Sam Galbraith moved to Environment. A leak suggested the SQA had not sorted out non-urgent Higher Grade results and the new chief executive had not been told. A new SQA board was appointed, with many members replaced (16 of 24).

Eventually, accurate certificates began to be issued, but only after months. Galbraith survived a no-confidence vote in the Scottish Parliament, which was defeated 66 votes to 52 with one abstention. The controversy cost Scotland more than £11 million, and at least one student sued the SQA for compensation after delays cost her a university place.