The SQA Exam Timetable 2025 is one of the most important documents Scottish students will rely on throughout their exam preparation journey. Each year, thousands of learners across Scotland sit National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher exams and the timetable acts as a roadmap, guiding revision plans, scheduling mock sessions, and helping students stay organized during one of the busiest academic periods of the year. With exams stretched over several weeks, knowing the exact dates and times in advance reduces stress and allows students to prepare strategically instead of scrambling at the last minute.
For 2025, the SQA has released a detailed timetable outlining every subject, morning and afternoon sessions, and even helpful digital tools such as the official SQA online timetable builder. Students can now create customized exam schedules tailored to their subjects, ensuring nothing is overlooked as the exam season approaches. With exam preparations beginning months before the first paper, early familiarization with the SQA Exam Timetable 2025 is crucial for achieving confident, structured, and effective revision.
Understanding the SQA Exam Timetable 2025
The SQA exam timetable is more than just a list of dates. It is a comprehensive guide covering three major qualification levels in Scotland:
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National 5
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Higher
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Advanced Higher
Each of these levels includes multiple subjects, and the structure of the timetable helps ensure no overlapping, confusion, or clashes for students taking combinations of courses.
What the timetable covers
The SQA timetable outline typically includes:
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Exact exam dates
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Start and finish times
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Levels (N5, Higher, AH)
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Subject-specific sessions
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Notes for exams that include coursework, practicals, or listening assessments
Morning sessions usually begin between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, while afternoon sessions start between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, depending on the subject.
Why early familiarization matters
Students who take time to understand the timetable early benefit significantly:
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They can identify how spread-out or compact their exams are.
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They can allocate revision time based on difficulty and exam proximity.
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They avoid last-minute surprises about scheduling conflicts.
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They can print or digitally save their custom timetable for reminders.
In essence, the earlier students review the timetable, the more efficiently they can plan their learning goals.
Key Dates and Exam Schedule Highlights for 2025
The SQA Exam Timetable 2025 runs over a six-week period, beginning in late April and finishing in early June. This structure allows students adequate time between subjects while maintaining consistency and momentum during the exam season.
Exam Start and End Dates
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Opening Day of Exams: 25 April 2025
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Last Day of Exams: 2 June 2025
These dates mark the official window for written exams across all subjects and qualification levels.
Morning and Afternoon Sessions
SQA organizes sessions to avoid overlap and distribute exam pressure:
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Morning Exams: Typically begin between 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
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Afternoon Exams: Usually start at 1:00 PM or occasionally at 2:00 PM
Students should double-check each subject’s exact timing because length varies — some exams last only 1 hour 15 minutes, while others stretch to 2 hours 30 minutes or more.
Notable Subject Examples in the 2025 Timetable
While the entire schedule is lengthy, here are common subjects students often pay attention to:
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English (National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher):
Usually scheduled in early May during morning sessions, with both Reading and Writing components. -
Mathematics:
Often appears across multiple days with separate calculator and non-calculator papers. -
Computing Science:
Typically held mid-May, often in the morning. -
Chemistry, Biology, Physics:
All science subjects are spread across the timetable to avoid clustering. -
Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish):
Written papers typically fall in late May.
Each subject’s placement is intentional to prevent students from having two major exams on the same day unless absolutely unavoidable.
Result Release Date
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SQA Exam Results Day for 2025: 5 August 2025
Students will receive:
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A digital copy of their results via text or email (if signed up)
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Paper certificates mailed to their home address
This date is crucial for students planning university applications, college admissions, or apprenticeship steps.
How to Use the SQA Online Timetable Builder
To make the process even smoother, SQA offers an extremely helpful digital tool: the Online Exam Timetable Builder. It allows students to create a clear, personalized timetable based on the subjects they are taking.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Visit the official SQA website and open the Timetable Builder tool.
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Select your qualification level — National 5, Higher, or Advanced Higher.
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Tick each subject you will be sitting for the 2025 exams.
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The builder generates a personalized timetable listing all your exam dates and times.
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You can download, print, or save the custom schedule on your phone or laptop.
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Students can also set calendar reminders to stay alerted as exams approach.
Benefits of Using the Timetable Builder
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No confusion about dates or overlapping subjects
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Helps visualize how close together exams are
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Serves as a daily/weekly guide while planning revision
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Easy to share with parents, teachers, or tutors
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Useful for writing study plans or creating countdown calendars
This personalization tool saves time, reduces stress, and creates a clear roadmap from April to June.
Tips to Prepare Around the SQA Exam Timetable
Preparing around a fixed exam schedule requires both strategy and discipline. Students often struggle not because of difficulty in subjects but because of poor time management.
1. Build a structured revision plan
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Start early, preferably months before exam season.
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Allocate more time to subjects appearing earlier in the timetable.
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Use weekends for longer revision blocks.
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Keep your custom SQA timetable pinned where you can see it daily.
2. Balance study time wisely
Some subjects need more problem-solving practice (e.g., Maths, Physics), while others need essay writing or content memorization (e.g., English, History). Students should:
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Spread subjects evenly
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Avoid studying only favorites
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Rotate topics to stay fresh
3. Manage stress during the exam season
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Sleep at least 7–8 hours during exam days
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Take short breaks after 50–60 minutes of study
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Limit excessive caffeine
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Keep essentials (pens, calculator, ID) packed the night before each exam
Mentally rehearsing the exam day can also reduce anxiety and increase confidence.
Related: HMRC Savings Account Tax Letters: What They Are and Why They Matter
Conclusion
The SQA Exam Timetable 2025 is an essential guide for every student sitting National 5, Higher, or Advanced Higher exams. Understanding the schedule early helps reduce stress, organize revision effectively, and stay fully prepared through the exam period. With tools like the SQA Online Timetable Builder, students can take full control of their preparation and set themselves up for academic success.
As exam season approaches, the best advice is simple: use the timetable, plan wisely, start revising early, and stay consistent. With the right preparation, confidence, and mindset, students can approach the 2025 exams with clarity and determination — ready to achieve their goals and celebrate their hard-earned results in August.
FAQ
Where can students find the official SQA Exam Timetable 2025?
The full timetable is available on the official SQA website, along with a downloadable PDF and the interactive timetable builder.
Can students shift or reschedule exams if needed?
Exams cannot be moved, except in rare exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies, where the school may apply for Exceptional Circumstances Consideration.
What should students do on exam days?
Arrive early, bring all required materials, stay calm, and follow school instructions. Students should also double-check the exam room and seat number posted at their school.
How do students check results and plan next steps?
Results are available on 5 August 2025. Students can receive them via text/email through MySQA or wait for the mailed certificate. Afterwards, they can discuss progression with teachers, apply to college/university, or plan resits if necessary.