NICOLA Sturgeon has resisted calls for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to be cancelled, but acknowledged a decision on whether they will go ahead could be made sooner than planned.

Both leaders of the Scottish LibDems and the Scottish Greens have urged the First Minister to cancel next year’s exams, as has already been decided for the National 5 assessments.

Education Secretary John Swinney has said the current position is that the Higher and Advanced Higher exams will take place, but a final decision will be made by mid-February on whether to cancel them.

During First Minister’s Questions, Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Young people have experienced enough stress and anxiety this year to last a lifetime. And, as is often the case, it’s those from the most deprived communities who’ve been disproportionately affected.

“So isn’t it time that the First Minister gave teachers and young people the clarity they need and accepted that Higher and Advanced Higher exams cannot go ahead in the coming year?”

Sturgeon appeared to concede a decision may be made sooner than February. She said: “We know there is potential for further disruption, which is why contingency plans for Higher and Advanced Higher courses are being developed and the Deputy First Minister has made clear that a final decision ... will be taken no later than mid-February – but it will be taken sooner than that if the evidence suggests that that is the right thing to do.”