Seòmar agus comataidhean

But just last year, 78 per cent were getting grades between A and C.

Okay, if you need to hear from Ms Robertson first, we will do that.

No concerns were raised.

I am okay. If the head of the SQA tells me that, I will accept that evidence, although it is contrary to everything that I heard last night.

We have cleared that up; we did that a couple of minutes ago.

Cabinet secretary, you said that you might want to come back in on the independent review of the report. Two SNP members want to ask about that.

Was it robust this year?

More robust than normal?

Last night, I spoke to a marker who wanted me to know that concerns were raised, after the exams had been sat but before a single paper had been marked, that markers were being asked to seek a higher standard this year. The marker said that that was made clear and that the meeting was very uncomfortable for members of the SQA. Is that fair?

I am less concerned about the report. I am asking you a question about that meeting and any feedback that you, as head of the SQA, received about it. Are you saying that it was a normal meeting at which the matter was discussed and that there was nothing extraordinary about it this year—yes or no?

Just to be clear, I note that, as a committee member, I challenge the findings of the report. The pool has not been wide enough to get information to form the report. If you speak only to the people who are going to agree with you, you will come up with a report such as this one. If you cast the net more widely, you might get more recommendations.