Edinburgh Schools - Standard Grades

Standard Grades are usually taken in the third or fourth year of secondary education. Generally children sit Standard Grade examinations when they are around 15 or 16 years of age.

Students often study for seven or eight Standard Grades including the core subjects of English and Mathematics. The courses comprise various elements but generally involve an exam at the end.

Within the Standard Grade qualification, there are three different levels of study (Credit, General and Foundation). Students have the opportunity to study for exams which will give them a qualification at either the Credit/General level or at the General/Foundation level. A Credit qualification is awarded for grades 1 or 2, grades 3 and 4 merit a General qualification and those gaining a pass at grade 5 or 6 receive a Foundation qualification.