National Qualifications in detail

Standard Grades are generally taken over the third and fourth years at secondary school, usually with an exam at the end of fourth year.

Students often take seven or eight subjects including Maths and English. There are three levels of study: Credit, General, and Foundation. Students usually take exams at two levels - Credit and General, or General and Foundation. This makes sure that students have the best chance of achieving as high a grade as possible. This table shows the levels and grades that can be achieved.