Pupils across Scotland received their much-anticipated exam results on Tuesday (August 5) - with a 0.8 per cent rise in National 5 passes.
That meant that students achieved a record 269,115 Nat 5 passes in 2026, with pass rates also up in Highers and Advanced Highers.
It was good news for Education Secretary Màiri McAllan, who only took on the role earlier this year, who said: “This is testament to the breadth and strength of Scotland’s education system, the professionalism of our teachers and school staff and the hard work of our young people.”
However, the percentage of pupils passing their Nat 5s varies considerably between council areas, with East Renfrewshire having the highest pass rate of 90.6 per cent and Fife having the lowest at 73.1 per cent - a difference of 17.5 per cent.
Here are the 10 best performing council areas for Nat 5 pass rates.
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1. East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire, which includes leafy Newton Mearns, leads the way when it comes to National 5 results, with a remarkable 90.6 pe cent pass rate. | Google Maps
2. East Dunbartonshire
East Dunbartonshire, which includes Scotland's canal capital Kirkintilloch, takes second spot, with pupils passing 86.2 per cent of Nat 5 exams.
3. South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire pupils, including those in the town of Girvan, had a National 5 pass rate of 83.5 per cent. | Canva/Getty Images
