The return of traditional exams in Scottish schools has seen fewer pupils achieve pass marks.
Teachers were forced to give grades based on assessments rather than externally marked tests in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the covid pandemic.
The return to regular exams in May saw the number of pupils achieving an A to C at Higher level drop to 78.9 per cent - down from 87.3 per cent in 2021.
But the pass rate remains above the 74.8 per cent level achieved in 2019 when traditional exams were last held in schools.
The drop in pass marks was steepest among pupils living in the most deprived areas. Scottish Labour accused the Scottish Government of reverting "to a system that penalises the poorest young people in Scotland".
For pupils in the fifth most deprived areas of Scotland, the Higher pass rate was 70.2 per cent this year, down from 83.2 per cent last year. In the fifth least deprived areas, the Higher pass rate stood at 85.1 per cent, down from 91 per cent last year when teacher assessments were used.
It means the attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas of Scotland has grown wider in this year’s figures compared to last year, from 7.8 percentage points in 2021 to 14.9 percentage points in 2022.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville insisted the results were one of "the strongest ever sets of results for any exam year".
She said: "Pass rates for National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers have increased compared with 2019, with A passes also up, and skills-based qualifications are close to the highest ever figure.
"It is important to note, though, that although 2022 saw a return to exams, it was not a return to normality. The approach to exams reflected the disruption to teaching and learning that young people faced and a wide-ranging package of support and modifications was put in place.
"I am confident that the approach, which was informed by views from across the education system, as well as learners, has delivered a credible, consistent and fair set of results for our young people.
"Indeed, universities have assured learners that they support the 2022 approach to assessment, and industry leaders have spoken publicly about how much they value this year’s qualifications.
"Today’s results illustrate the wide range of qualifications that learners are choosing, and I welcome the increase in skills-based awards. These qualifications equip young people with the skills they need to enter apprenticeships or go into the workplace, where they will support Scotland’s economic recovery after COVID-19.
“There are many different pathways to success and I want to celebrate the full breadth of learners’ achievements and to pay tribute to our young people for working so hard and showing such resilience."
'No plan whatsoever'
Michael Marra, Scottish Labour education spokesman, said: "These results are on a reduced curriculum - yet further evidence of the significant loss of learning and knowledge across Scotland’s education system.
"It is astonishing that the SNP government has no plan whatsoever to make up for these losses - nor any interest in doing the work to assess the impact. This has very real impact for colleges, universities, businesses and individuals building a career, and, of course, for the country as a whole.
"The SNP government has reverted to a system that penalises the poorest young people in Scotland. They have done so knowingly, purposefully and – worst of all – without any plan to change the situation."
While, Tory education spokesperson Oliver Mundell said: "The widening attainment gap is a badge of shame for the First Minister and a shocking indictment of the SNP’s dismal record on education.
"Nicola Sturgeon described eliminating it as the ‘defining mission’ of her government and yet this year the gap has widened to a chasm yet again.
"Most telling is the differential in A grade passes at Higher because these are crucial in determining which pupils gain access to the most sought-after university courses.
"It’s unforgivable that year after year, talented pupils from poorer parts of the country are being failed by the SNP. But it seems they are no longer serious about tackling this issue.
The SNP were far too slow to offer catch-up and support programmes for pupils disrupted by the pandemic to help them prepare for a return to the exam diet. It’s very likely their lack of action has contributed to this unacceptable rise in the attainment gap."
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