Episode Details

Scotland’s main exam board is under fire again after teachers allege it secretly changed marking rules for the 2026 Higher History exam — only revealing the shift after students had already taken the test. This echoes the 2024 scandal, where the same board was accused of shifting goalposts, sparking parliamentary scrutiny and a widely criticized investigation that blamed students instead of the board. Now, Qualifications Scotland won’t deny the changes but insists the exam ran as planned, with more details promised next month. While overall pass rates ticked up slightly, a stark divide emerged: Scottish History scores plummeted to 52%, while British/European/World History scored over 61%. Teachers anonymously report that key historical facts — like Scots settlers spreading smallpox — no longer earned marks, raising fears that only students taught by a narrow group will succeed. Educators warn that efforts to teach balanced perspectives on Migration and Empire may now be penalized. Despite claims of collaboration with teachers and high resource downloads, frustration simmers as educators question whether the board’s leadership has truly listened — or if history is being rewritten in the exam room.

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