Prelim exams

Preliminary Examinations (more commonly known as Prelims) are exams set in Scottish high schools after about two thirds of subject's course being completed, often around December for S4 pupils, and February for S5/ S6 pupils.

They are similar in format to SQA Exams, and are designed to give the pupils a mock run. The grade a pupil recieves has no bearing on their final result on exam day: a pupil can technically get 0% in a Prelim, and pass a final exam. Schools use prelims as an early warning system of sorts, to note which pupils need to push harder, or need help. Pupils tend to improve on their prelim mark come final exam day, due to being better prepared.

Should a pupil get a better mark in their prelim than their exam ,the school can appeal on behalf of the pupil to the SQA. However, not all appeals are accepted.

Pupils tend to find prelim exams more difficult that final exams, and some argue the schools deliberately make prelims more difficult. This is disputed by teachers.