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If you are sitting National 5s in 2026, or planning ahead for Highers and Advanced Highers, this guide gives you everything you need. The SQA exam session runs from Wednesday 22 April to Monday 1 June, with Tuesday 2 June set aside as a contingency day. You’ll find all the SQA exam dates 2026 listed below.
All dates in this article come from the official SQA Exam Timetable 2026 (opens in a new tab).
Key Takeaways
The 2026 SQA exam session runs from 22 April to 1 June 2026.
Tuesday 2 June 2026 is a contingency day in case any exams need to be rescheduled.
National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams all take place within this same window.
You can use this timetable to plan your revision, spot busy weeks and organise your study leave.
When Do the 2026 SQA Exams Start and End?
According to the confirmed SQA timetable:
First exam date: Wednesday 22 April 2026
Last scheduled exam: Monday 1 June 2026
Contingency day: Tuesday 2 June 2026 (kept free in case any exams must be moved)
The timetable was published in September 2025, so these dates are final for 2026.
Full SQA Exam Timetable 2026
Below you will find the complete 2026 exam dates lists for:
Each level is organised alphabetically by subject, so you can quickly find your exams.
National 5 Exam Dates 2026 (A–Z)
Subject | Paper | Date |
|---|---|---|
Accounting | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Administration and IT | Exam | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Applications of Mathematics | Paper 1 (non-calculator) | Friday 15th May 2026 |
Applications of Mathematics | Paper 2 | Friday 15th May 2026 |
Art and Design | Exam | Tuesday 26th May 2026 |
Biology | Exam | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Business Management | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
Cantonese | Reading and Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Cantonese | Listening | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Care | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Chemistry | Exam | Tuesday 12th May 2026 |
Classical Studies | Exam | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Computing Science | Exam | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Dance | Exam | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
Design and Manufacture | Exam | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
Drama | Exam | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Economics | Exam | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Engineering Science | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
English | Reading for Understanding | Thursday 30th April 2026 |
English | Critical Reading | Thursday 30th April 2026 |
ESOL | Reading | Friday 29th May 2026 |
ESOL | Writing | Friday 29th May 2026 |
ESOL | Listening | Friday 29th May 2026 |
Environmental Science | Exam | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Fashion and Textile Technology | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
French | Reading and Writing | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
French | Listening | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Reading and Writing | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Listening | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Reading and Literature | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Listening | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Geography | Exam | Thursday 23rd April 2026 |
German | Reading and Writing | Monday 18th May 2026 |
German | Listening | Monday 18th May 2026 |
Graphic Communication | Exam | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Health and Food Technology | Exam | Friday 1st May 2026 |
History | Exam | Thursday 14th May 2026 |
Italian | Reading and Writing | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Italian | Listening | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Latin | Paper 1 (Literary Appreciation) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Latin | Paper 2 (Translating) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Reading and Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Listening | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 1 (Non-calculator) | Friday 8th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 2 | Friday 8th May 2026 |
Media | Exam | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Modern Studies | Exam | Tuesday 19th May 2026 |
Music | Exam | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Music Technology | Exam | Friday 8th May 2026 |
Philosophy | Exam | Friday 29th May 2026 |
Physics | Exam | Thursday 21st May 2026 |
Practical Cookery | Exam | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Practical Electronics | Exam | Thursday 7th May 2026 |
Psychology | Exam | Tuesday 26th May 2026 |
RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) | Exam | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Sociology | Exam | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Spanish | Reading and Writing | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Spanish | Listening | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Urdu | Reading and Writing | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Urdu | Listening | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Higher Exam Dates 2026 (A–Z)
Subject | Paper | Date |
|---|---|---|
Accounting | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Administration and IT | Exam | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Applications of Mathematics | Exam | Friday 15th May 2026 |
Art and Design | Exam | Tuesday 26th May 2026 |
Biology | Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Biology | Paper 2 | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Business Management | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
Cantonese | Reading and Directed Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Cantonese | Listening | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Care | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Chemistry | Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) | Tuesday 12th May 2026 |
Chemistry | Paper 2 | Tuesday 12th May 2026 |
Childcare and Development | Exam | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Classical Studies | Classical Literature | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Classical Studies | Classical Society | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Computing Science | Exam | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Dance | Exam | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
Design and Manufacture | Exam | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
Drama | Exam | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Economics | Exam | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Engineering Science | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
English | Reading for Understanding | Friday 1st May 2026 |
English | Critical Reading | Friday 1st May 2026 |
ESOL | Reading | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
ESOL | Writing | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
ESOL | Listening | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
Environmental Science | Paper 1 | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Environmental Science | Paper 2 | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Fashion and Textile Technology | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
French | Reading and Directed Writing | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
French | Listening | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Reading and Directed Writing | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Listening | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Reading and Literature | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Listening | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Geography | Physical and Human Environments | Thursday 23rd April 2026 |
Geography | Global Skills and Geographical Issues | Thursday 23rd April 2026 |
German | Reading and Directed Writing | Monday 18th May 2026 |
German | Listening | Monday 18th May 2026 |
Graphic Communication | Exam | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Health and Food Technology | Exam | Friday 1st May 2026 |
History | British, European and World | Thursday 14th May 2026 |
History | Scottish History | Thursday 14th May 2026 |
Human Biology | Paper 1 (MCQ) | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Human Biology | Paper 2 | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Italian | Reading and Directed Writing | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Italian | Listening | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Latin | Paper 1 (Literary Appreciation) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Latin | Paper 2 (Translating) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Reading and Directed Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Listening | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 1 (Non-calculator) | Thursday 7th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 2 | Thursday 7th May 2026 |
Media | Analysis of Media Content | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Media | The Role of Media | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Modern Studies | Paper 1 | Tuesday 19th May 2026 |
Modern Studies | Paper 2 | Tuesday 19th May 2026 |
Music | Exam | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Music Technology | Exam | Friday 8th May 2026 |
Philosophy | Paper 1 | Friday 29th May 2026 |
Philosophy | Paper 2 | Friday 29th May 2026 |
Photography | Exam | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Physical Education | Exam | Monday 18th May 2026 |
Physics | Paper 1 (MCQ) | Thursday 21st May 2026 |
Physics | Paper 2 | Thursday 21st May 2026 |
Politics | Paper 1 | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Politics | Paper 2 | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Psychology | Exam | Tuesday 26th May 2026 |
RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) | World Religion / Morality and Belief | Monday 11th May 2026 |
RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) | Religious and Philosophical Questions | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Sociology | Exam | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Spanish | Reading and Directed Writing | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Spanish | Listening | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Urdu | Reading and Directed Writing | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Urdu | Listening | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Advanced Higher Exam Dates 2026 (A–Z)
Subject | Paper | Date |
|---|---|---|
Accounting | Exam | Monday 25th May 2026 |
Biology | Exam | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
Business Management | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
Cantonese | Reading and Translation | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Cantonese | Listening and Discursive Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Chemistry | Exam | Tuesday 12th May 2026 |
Classical Studies | Exam | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Computing Science | Exam | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Cruinn-eòlas / Geography | Exam | Thursday 23rd April 2026 |
Design and Manufacture | Exam | Wednesday 13th May 2026 |
Eachdraidh / History | Exam | Thursday 14th May 2026 |
Economics | Exam | Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
Engineering Science | Exam | Friday 24th April 2026 |
English | Literary Study | Thursday 30th April 2026 |
English | Textual Analysis | Thursday 30th April 2026 |
English | Portfolio Submission | Thursday 30th April 2026 |
French | Reading and Translation | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
French | Listening and Discursive Writing | Wednesday 6th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Reading and Translation | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gaelic (Learners) | Listening and Discursive Writing | Wednesday 20th May 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Sgrùdadh | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Litreachas & Sgrìobhadh | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
Gàidhlig | Eadar-theangachadh | Tuesday 5th May 2026 |
German | Reading and Translation | Monday 18th May 2026 |
German | Listening and Discursive Writing | Monday 18th May 2026 |
Graphic Communication | Exam | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Health and Food Technology | Exam | Friday 1st May 2026 |
Italian | Reading and Translation | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Italian | Listening and Discursive Writing | Thursday 28th May 2026 |
Latin | Paper 1 (Literary Appreciation) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Latin | Paper 2 (Translating) | Monday 1st June 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Reading and Translation | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mandarin (Traditional & Simplified) | Listening and Discursive Writing | Wednesday 27th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 1 (Non-calculator) | Thursday 7th May 2026 |
Mathematics | Paper 2 | Thursday 7th May 2026 |
Mathematics of Mechanics | Exam | Tuesday 26th May 2026 |
Modern Studies | Exam | Tuesday 19th May 2026 |
Music | Exam | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Music | Portfolio Submission | Monday 27th April 2026 |
Nuadh-eòlas | Exam | Tuesday 19th May 2026 |
Physics | Exam | Thursday 21st May 2026 |
RMPS (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) | Exam | Monday 11th May 2026 |
Spanish | Reading and Translation | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Spanish | Listening and Discursive Writing | Wednesday 22nd April 2026 |
Statistics | Paper 1 | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Statistics | Paper 2 | Friday 22nd May 2026 |
Tips for Planning Your Revision Around the SQA Exam Timetable
The exam period can feel intense, but a clear plan makes a huge difference. Use the timetable to work backwards and build a revision schedule that works for you.
1. Put all your exam dates in one place
Write each subject and date on a wall calendar or in a digital planner.
Highlight double-exam days or busy weeks so there are no surprises.
2. Work backwards from each exam
Count back roughly six weeks from each paper and mark when you will start focused revision.
Try to finish your main note-making before the Easter holidays, so April and May can focus on practice questions and past papers.
3. Spot the tight sections of the timetable
Some subjects sit close together. Look for weeks with two or more big exams and arrange your timetable carefully.
Use lighter weeks earlier in the session to get ahead on these subjects.
4. Plan for split or double-paper days
Language exams often have reading or writing in the morning and listening later the same day.
Practise full timed papers to help you get used to the structure of those days, as they can be demanding.
5. Use gaps wisely
Long gaps between exams are perfect for deeper revision and exam practice using past papers.
Short gaps are best for quick topic reviews, flashcards and checking mark schemes, rather than learning new content from scratch.
6. Protect your rest
Build in evenings off and at least one lighter day each week.
Sleep, food and taking breaks from study matter as much as extra hours of revision. Tired revision is less effective revision.
Read our guide on how to start revising, and check our Learning Hub for lots more revision advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get My SQA Exam Timetable?
You will receive a personalised timetable from your school that includes your exam dates, times, rooms and candidate number.
You can also check the full SQA timetable on the SQA website if you want to confirm any dates or look up other subjects.
When Should I Start Revising for National 5s or Highers?
Most students begin structured revision in January or February. It helps to finish your main notes before the Easter holidays so you can spend April and May practising past papers and focusing on weaker topics.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 SQA exam timetable gives you a clear picture of your exam season. Use the subject-by-subject tables to get organised, set realistic targets and build steady revision routines.
Planning ahead now helps reduce stress later and gives you the best chance of feeling confident, prepared and ready for exam success. Join over 2 million students who have used Save My Exams’ expert-created range of revision resources for clear, exam-focused tools to make study simpler and smarter.
References:
Exam timetable and learner apps - SQA (opens in a new tab)
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