SQA higher exams on same day

I think it's a bit unfair that the SQA made the Higher English exam and Psychology exam on the same day with a little break in between. Honestly, I think it's quite ridiculous considering how content heavy these two subjects are, and you have to write A LOT. I'm guessing it's because psychology is considered an "s6" subject, so by then, people would have done their higher english qualification. But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair, and it's not just me facing the same issue. Many psychology teachers and students from my school, amongst others, were outraged sending complaints to the SQA. But as far as I know nothing has been changed and I don't know what to do. I could file a complaint, but knowing the SQA, they couldn't care less, to be honest. It's just sad because it puts pressure on those students who take both of these essay based subjects. It puts those who do psych in S6 at an immense advantage which (if they perform well) means that grade boundaries won't be lowered for those who were put under this pressure to sit both of these on the same day.
Ridiculous.

I think it's a bit unfair that the SQA made the Higher English exam and Psychology exam on the same day with a little break in between. Honestly, I think it's quite ridiculous considering how content heavy these two subjects are, and you have to write A LOT. I'm guessing it's because psychology is considered an "s6" subject, so by then, people would have done their higher english qualification. But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair, and it's not just me facing the same issue. Many psychology teachers and students from my school, amongst others, were outraged sending complaints to the SQA. But as far as I know nothing has been changed and I don't know what to do. I could file a complaint, but knowing the SQA, they couldn't care less, to be honest. It's just sad because it puts pressure on those students who take both of these essay based subjects. It puts those who do psych in S6 at an immense advantage which (if they perform well) means that grade boundaries won't be lowered for those who were put under this pressure to sit both of these on the same day.
Ridiculous.

Cope. I've had an Advanced Higher crash and Higher on the same day, it's not that bad. Also stop complaining about how hard it is, if you voluntarily pick a crash higher you are expected to put the extra work in. Do you realise you are putting yourself in a more disadvantaged situation?? "But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair" you are putting this strain on yourself if you can't handle it don't do it. More importantly, don't forget you also have to manage your other subjects as well, focus on all of your subjects (and of course prioritise the weakest ones). If these qualifications were any easier they would be more useless compared to other school systems in different countries.
Do you know it's January right now? you have PLENTY of time exams are in April/May, in university (I can't say for all subjects but the majority) they have modules that are levels in difficulty above high school, and the time to complete these modules is usually only a semester, that is 3 months but somehow people are completing uni?! crazy isn't it? This is because they have adapted to these circumstances and they understand what effort is required to push through and pass. I can't lie your entire message reeks of laziness, I recommend that you should stop wasting time complaining about the subject and start putting more effort into learning it. I can guarantee you that if you stop complaining and put the work in you would do a lot more better. (also try to have a consistent study routine and something that works for you)

I think it's a bit unfair that the SQA made the Higher English exam and Psychology exam on the same day with a little break in between. Honestly, I think it's quite ridiculous considering how content heavy these two subjects are, and you have to write A LOT. I'm guessing it's because psychology is considered an "s6" subject, so by then, people would have done their higher english qualification. But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair, and it's not just me facing the same issue. Many psychology teachers and students from my school, amongst others, were outraged sending complaints to the SQA. But as far as I know nothing has been changed and I don't know what to do. I could file a complaint, but knowing the SQA, they couldn't care less, to be honest. It's just sad because it puts pressure on those students who take both of these essay based subjects. It puts those who do psych in S6 at an immense advantage which (if they perform well) means that grade boundaries won't be lowered for those who were put under this pressure to sit both of these on the same day.
Ridiculous.

I'm in teh same boat as you - an S5 crashing psychology. I'm super worried about this and am afraid it will impact my results. Really hoping the SQA decide to change it or additional arrangements are put in place.

Cope. I've had an Advanced Higher crash and Higher on the same day, it's not that bad. Also stop complaining about how hard it is, if you voluntarily pick a crash higher you are expected to put the extra work in. Do you realise you are putting yourself in a more disadvantaged situation?? "But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair" you are putting this strain on yourself if you can't handle it don't do it. More importantly, don't forget you also have to manage your other subjects as well, focus on all of your subjects (and of course prioritise the weakest ones). If these qualifications were any easier they would be more useless compared to other school systems in different countries.
Do you know it's January right now? you have PLENTY of time exams are in April/May, in university (I can't say for all subjects but the majority) they have modules that are levels in difficulty above high school, and the time to complete these modules is usually only a semester, that is 3 months but somehow people are completing uni?! crazy isn't it? This is because they have adapted to these circumstances and they understand what effort is required to push through and pass. I recommend that you should stop wasting time complaining about the subject and start putting more effort into learning it. I can guarantee you that if you stop complaining and put the work in you would do a lot more better. (also try to have a consistent study routine and something that works for you)

Cope. I've had an Advanced Higher crash and Higher on the same day, it's not that bad. Also stop complaining about how hard it is, if you voluntarily pick a crash higher you are expected to put the extra work in. Do you realise you are putting yourself in a more disadvantaged situation?? "But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair" you are putting this strain on yourself if you can't handle it don't do it. More importantly, don't forget you also have to manage your other subjects as well, focus on all of your subjects (and of course prioritise the weakest ones). If these qualifications were any easier they would be more useless compared to other school systems in different countries.
Do you know it's January right now? you have PLENTY of time exams are in April/May, in university (I can't say for all subjects but the majority) they have modules that are levels in difficulty above high school, and the time to complete these modules is usually only a semester, that is 3 months but somehow people are completing uni?! crazy isn't it? This is because they have adapted to these circumstances and they understand what effort is required to push through and pass. I recommend that you should stop wasting time complaining about the subject and start putting more effort into learning it. I can guarantee you that if you stop complaining and put the work in you would do a lot more better. (also try to have a consistent study routine and something that works for you)

I'm in teh same boat as you - an S5 crashing psychology. I'm super worried about this and am afraid it will impact my results. Really hoping the SQA decide to change it or additional arrangements are put in place.

What do you have stats or mechanics?

That was quite rude, I was just looking for advice here and I've spoken about this to other people already and they all share my viewpoint. Yes I know it's a lot of work, if I didn't know that I wouldn't have picked these subjects. I work hard and I'm not lazy, I consistently get good grades so honestly that is quite harsh to assume that I am just because I think it's unfair. I can cope with the workload of these two subjects just fine, my point is that it's not very fair to have 2 exams on the same day not because of me not being "prepared enough" but because exams overall are very stressful for me as I and having 2 content heavy exams on the same day puts a lot of pressure on me.

Ok fair enough. But from the SQA's perspective, the content is equal across the board, from higher maths to higher english. Nothing wrong at the end of the day sending an email to the SQA about it (as you said they probably won't do anything) but it's better to try than not. You said you were looking for advice, try doing timed past papers but one after the other (so do timed past paper A then have the same time break as is on the SQA exam timetable then start a past paper for Higher B) then mark them after. It will be as if you were taking the exam that day so get prepped for the incoming stress.

I think it's a bit unfair that the SQA made the Higher English exam and Psychology exam on the same day with a little break in between. Honestly, I think it's quite ridiculous considering how content heavy these two subjects are, and you have to write A LOT. I'm guessing it's because psychology is considered an "s6" subject, so by then, people would have done their higher english qualification. But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair, and it's not just me facing the same issue. Many psychology teachers and students from my school, amongst others, were outraged sending complaints to the SQA. But as far as I know nothing has been changed and I don't know what to do. I could file a complaint, but knowing the SQA, they couldn't care less, to be honest. It's just sad because it puts pressure on those students who take both of these essay based subjects. It puts those who do psych in S6 at an immense advantage which (if they perform well) means that grade boundaries won't be lowered for those who were put under this pressure to sit both of these on the same day.
Ridiculous.

Cope. I've had an Advanced Higher crash and Higher on the same day, it's not that bad. Also stop complaining about how hard it is, if you voluntarily pick a crash higher you are expected to put the extra work in. Do you realise you are putting yourself in a more disadvantaged situation?? "But as someone who is crashing psychology in S5, I think it's honestly quite unfair" you are putting this strain on yourself if you can't handle it don't do it. More importantly, don't forget you also have to manage your other subjects as well, focus on all of your subjects (and of course prioritise the weakest ones). If these qualifications were any easier they would be more useless compared to other school systems in different countries.
Do you know it's January right now? you have PLENTY of time exams are in April/May, in university (I can't say for all subjects but the majority) they have modules that are levels in difficulty above high school, and the time to complete these modules is usually only a semester, that is 3 months but somehow people are completing uni?! crazy isn't it? This is because they have adapted to these circumstances and they understand what effort is required to push through and pass. I recommend that you should stop wasting time complaining about the subject and start putting more effort into learning it. I can guarantee you that if you stop complaining and put the work in you would do a lot more better. (also try to have a consistent study routine and something that works for you)

Hurrah! The SQA has made changed to the 2025 timetable. Higher Psychology and English are no longer on the same day. Super happy about this! A few other exams have been changed to avoid overlapping. Hope everyone is happy with the changed and it provides more reassurance for the final exam 🙂

Yesss! So happy the SQA took on the feedback and changed it 🙌
Thanks for including the details
Best of luck for exams!