As students who sat the National 5 Chemistry exam, we are speaking out about the unprecedented difficulty of this year's paper. Many of us felt blindsided, as the exam deviated from what we had been led to expect based on our preparation materials and past papers. The paper did not only include completely new formats and unseen types of questions, but it also strayed from the specification set out since 2017. This radical change came with the rebranding to "Qualifications Scotland", leaving many of us struggling to demonstrate our true chemistry capabilities.

It's essential to acknowledge the significant pressure that comes with any national exam. The National 5 exams are a crucial stepping stone in our academic journey, and the stakes are incredibly high. We spent countless hours studying, hoping to meet the standards we expected based on the curriculum and previous assessments. However, the abrupt shift in exam style was not adequately communicated or reflected in our preparatory materials.

Given these circumstances, it is only fair and just to lower the grade boundaries for the National 5 Chemistry 2026 exam. This adjustment would more accurately reflect the challenges faced by students during this exam. Grade standardization is a necessary step to ensure equitable assessment, allowing students to be evaluated on the knowledge and skills the curriculum intended us to develop, rather than our ability to adapt quickly to unforeseen formats.

This petition is not only about this year's students; it is about maintaining the integrity and fairness of Scotland’s educational assessments in the face of sudden changes. We urge "Qualifications Scotland" to reconsider the boundaries to reflect the unique challenge posed by this year's exam.

Please join us in signing this petition to advocate for a fair re-evaluation of the grade boundaries and ensure our hard work is valued accurately. Your support is vital in making a difference.