We, the undersigned, believe that the current Higher Drama written exam is too difficult and does not provide students with enough time to complete it. The national average score for the exam has remained consistently low, with many students struggling to finish within the 2 hours and 30 minutes allocated.

We are calling on the SQA to:

 1. Review the current structure of the Higher Drama written exam, ensuring that students are given enough time to demonstrate their knowledge fully.

 2. Reassess the exam’s difficulty to ensure it is fair and accessible to students from all socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those in SIMD 1-4.

 3. Provide more time for pupils to complete the exam or adjust the content to better fit the time available.

Why This is Important:

For the past few years, the national average for the Higher Drama written paper has hovered around 15-16 marks out of 40, suggesting that the exam is too hard for the majority of students. Many pupils report running out of time, which impacts their ability to achieve the grades they are capable of.

This issue is especially concerning for pupils from deprived backgrounds (SIMD 1-4), who already face barriers to educational success. Time limitations further exacerbate the challenges these students face in reaching their full potential.

Call to Action:

We urge the SQA to ensure that future versions of the Higher Drama written exam provide sufficient time for all students to demonstrate their abilities. By signing this petition, you are supporting the call for a fairer, more accessible exam for Higher Drama