More than 9000 candidates received their results, successfully achieving a total of 40,327 qualifications across 73 subject areas.

Levels of attainment for learners in North Lanarkshire showed an increase on last year’s results, with a record number of presentations in vocational courses.

This includes Skills for Work, National Progression Awards (NPA) and other awards, with an increase of 24.1% from 2024 to 2025.

“I’d like to congratulate our pupils on what they have achieved. It’s a clear reflection on your hard work and the support you have received from the dedicated staff in our schools and from your families and friends,” said Councillor Michael McBride, Convener of Education, Children and Families.

“Exams can be a stressful time in the life of a young person and each pupil should be proud of what they’ve achieved.

“It’s important to remember that there are many ways to reach your goals. If you haven’t received the outcome you’d hoped for, there is support available and guidance on where to go next.”

In the National 5 attainment (A to C) measure, results in North Lanarkshire increased by 2% from session 2023/24 to 76.3%.  Nationally, the overall National 5 attainment rose 1.2%.

In the Higher attainment (A to C) measure, results in North Lanarkshire increased by 2.2% from session 2023/24 to 71.7%.  Nationally, the overall Higher attainment rose by 1%.

In the Advanced Higher attainment (A to C) measure, results in North Lanarkshire increased by 5.7% from session 2023/24 to 71.1%. Nationally, the overall Advanced Higher attainment rose by 1.4%.

Compared with 2023/24 data, there are improvements in the numbers of young people in S4 achieving:

• 5 or more awards at National 5 – 43.3% (increase of 1.8%)
• 5 or more passes at National 4 – 78.0% (increase of 3.8%)
• 5 or more passes at National 3 – 84.5% (increase of 4.9%)

Compared with 2023/24 data, there are improvements in the numbers of young people in S5 achieving:

• 1 or more awards at Higher– 54.2% (increase of 0.9%)
• 3 or more awards at Higher– 32.8% (increase of 1.7%)
• 5 or more awards at Higher – 14.1% (increase of 0.6%)

This year also saw an increase in the numbers of young people being presented for qualifications in North Lanarkshire, and for many measures, the highest number of presentations in five years. 

Support for learners

SQA’s Appeals 2025 service is free of charge and can be accessed directly by learners or on their behalf by their school or college. It opens at 9am on Results Day. More information will be sent to learners and is available at sqa.org.uk/appeals.

If learners have a query about their certificate, they can call SQA’s Candidate Advice Line on 0345 279 1000.

Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline: 0808 100 8000.

UCAS: 0371 468 0468 / Clearing resources can be found at ucas.com/clearing-launch.