The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has published the official exam timetable for 2026, covering National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications. The exam period is set to run from Wednesday 22 April 2026 to Tuesday 2 June 2026, with results day confirmed for Tuesday 4 August 2026. The timetable was first released in September 2025 and received a final revision in February 2026.
Students and educators now have access to the full schedule, which includes all subject exam dates, start times, and paper names. The official PDF document is available for download directly from the SQA website. This guide provides a clear breakdown of the key dates, how to access the timetable, and what to expect on results day.
When Is the SQA Exam Timetable 2026 Released?
| Exam Period | 22 April – 2 June 2026 |
| Timetable Released | First published September 2025 Revised February 2026 |
| Results Day | Tuesday, 4 August 2026 |
| Levels Covered | National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher |
- SQA published the 2026 timetable in September 2025, with a final revision in February 2026 to incorporate any changes.
- Exams run for six weeks, starting 22 April 2026 and ending 2 June 2026.
- Results are announced on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 — the same day for all levels.
- The official PDF timetable includes all subject dates but does not separate by level in a single view; students should check their specific subjects.
- Prelim timetables are set by individual schools and are not part of the SQA official timetable.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam Board | Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Exam Start Date | Wednesday, 22 April 2026 |
| Exam End Date | Tuesday, 2 June 2026 |
| Results Day | Tuesday, 4 August 2026 |
| Timetable First Published | September 2025 |
| Latest Revision | February 2026 |
| Format | PDF (official) and online text |
| Levels | National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher |
The first version of the timetable was published in September 2025, as confirmed by the official SQA page (SQA – Exam timetable and learner apps). A revision followed in February 2026, adjusting the date for National 5 and Higher Urdu to Monday 1 June 2026. Other exam dates and times remained unchanged.
What Are the Start and End Dates for SQA Exams 2026?
When Do Exams Start?
The first exam of the 2026 session begins on Wednesday 22 April 2026. This date applies to all qualification levels, including National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher. The official SQA timetable page states that the start date is fixed and has not been altered since the initial publication.
When Do Exams Finish?
The final exam takes place on Tuesday 2 June 2026. The exam period spans approximately six weeks. No exams are scheduled on Monday 4 May 2026, which is a UK bank holiday, as noted in the PDF timetable.
The official timetable includes a bank holiday on Monday 4 May 2026, so no exams are scheduled on that day.
Are Dates the Same for All Levels?
All levels run within the same overall window: 22 April to 2 June 2026. However, individual subject exams are scheduled on specific dates. The timetable PDF lists each exam by subject and level, so students must check the specific entry for their courses. The BBC Bitesize article on the subject (BBC Bitesize – Scottish exam dates 2026) confirms the same period, noting the slight variation for Urdu.
How to Download the SQA 2026 Exam Timetable PDF
Where to Find the Official PDF
The official PDF is hosted on the SQA website. It is titled “National Qualifications 2026 Exam Timetable” and is approximately 401 KB in size. The direct download link is available from the SQA exam timetable page. Students can also view the timetable in text format on the same page. For the most authoritative version, always use the PDF rather than secondary summaries.
The direct PDF can be accessed here: SQA National Qualifications 2026 Exam Timetable (PDF).
What the PDF Contains
The PDF includes the full timetable by qualification level and subject. It lists start times, paper names, and notes for specific courses, such as the submission timing for English Advanced Higher portfolios. Non-exam days, including the bank holiday on 4 May, are clearly marked. Students are advised to download the most recent version, as the official page states it was updated from the December version.
Before exams begin, verify that you have the latest PDF. The SQA website explicitly says to use the most recent version of the timetable.
For practice materials, you can refer to the SQA Past Papers and Marking Instructions to complement your revision.
What Are the Key Dates for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher 2026?
National 5 Exam Timetable
National 5 exams take place within the general window, with subjects spread across the six weeks. The PDF lists each National 5 subject separately. One specific change noted in the February revision is that National 5 Urdu now sits on Monday 1 June 2026.
Higher Exam Timetable
Higher exams also occur within the same window. The timetable includes all Higher subjects, with the same note for Higher Urdu moved to 1 June 2026. Students should check the PDF for exact dates and times to avoid clashes.
Advanced Higher Exam Timetable
Advanced Higher exams are scheduled throughout the April to June period. The PDF includes specific start times, and some courses have additional portfolio deadlines, such as English Advanced Higher. The Scottish Government provides further context on exam certification (Scottish Government – Exam results and certification).
Do not rely solely on third-party websites for subject dates. Always cross-check with the official SQA PDF because secondary sources may not include the February revision.
When is SQA Results Day 2026?
Results day for the 2026 exam session is Tuesday, 4 August 2026. This date applies to all levels — National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher. Students typically receive their results through their school, college, or via the SQA learner app. The official SQA page confirms this date, and it matches the schedule from previous years. The exam period ends on 2 June, giving SQA roughly two months to process and issue results.
What Is the Key Timeline for SQA 2026 Exams?
- September 2025: SQA publishes the first version of the 2026 exam timetable for all qualifications.
- February 2026: SQA releases a revised timetable with adjustments, including moving National 5 and Higher Urdu to 1 June 2026.
- 22 April 2026: First SQA exam of the session begins.
- 2 June 2026: Last SQA exam of the session ends.
- 4 August 2026: Results day – learners receive their grades.
A secondary guide (available at SQA Exam Timetable 2026 Guide) echoes the same dates but should be treated as less authoritative than the official SQA publications.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The exam period runs from 22 April to 2 June 2026 (confirmed by official SQA sources). | Prelim timetables are not set by SQA – check with your school or local authority. |
| Results day is 4 August 2026. | Individual subject dates within the exam period may be subject to change; always refer to the latest PDF from SQA. |
| The timetable was first published in September 2025 and revised in February 2026. | The 2027 timetable is not yet published; expect it in late 2026. |
How Does the SQA 2026 Timetable Fit Into the School Year?
The SQA 2026 timetable follows the traditional Scotland exam pattern: exams run from late April to early June, with results released in early August. National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher exams run concurrently within the same window. Subject timings are staggered to avoid clashes, but there is no separate schedule by level in the PDF.
The PDF is the most authoritative source. Many third-party websites summarise the dates but may not include the February revision. Students often confuse prelims (internal school exams) with the official SQA timetable. Prelims are managed locally and are not published by SQA.
For a deeper understanding of the timetable structure, see the SQA Understanding the Timetable Guide.
Where Do the Official SQA 2026 Exam Dates Come From?
The official dates are published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on their website. The primary source is the document “National Qualifications 2026 Exam Timetable”, available as a PDF download. The SQA page “Exam timetable and learner apps” states: “The 2026 exams start on Wednesday 22 April and finish on Tuesday 2 June.” This aligns with the timetable PDF.
BBC Bitesize also reports the same period, citing the official SQA information. The Scottish Government provides overarching policy context for exam results and certification. Skills Development Scotland offers support for students on results day (Skills Development Scotland – Results support).
What Should Students Do Now?
With the timetable published and results day set for 4 August 2026, students should download the latest PDF, check their subject dates, and note the bank holiday. Bookmark the official SQA page for any further updates, and consider downloading the SQA Learner App for mobile access. In late 2026, SQA will publish the 2027 timetable — keep an eye on the same official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SQA exam timetable 2026 for National 5?
The official timetable covers all levels including National 5. You can download the PDF from SQA. Individual subject dates are listed inside the timetable.
When is the SQA prelims timetable 2026 released?
Prelims are not set by SQA. Your school or local authority decides the dates – contact them directly for their prelim schedule.
Is the SQA exam timetable 2027 available?
No, SQA has not yet published the 2027 timetable. It is typically released in September of the previous year (i.e., September 2026 for 2027).
Can I view the SQA 2026 timetable online without downloading?
Yes, SQA provides a web page with the timetable information and a link to the PDF. The official link is www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/1439.html.
Are the exam dates different for Higher and Advanced Higher?
All levels run within the same overall exam window (22 April – 2 June 2026), but individual subject exams are scheduled on specific dates. Check the official timetable for your subjects.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.