The new Higher maths exam sat by pupils in Scotland this year was "more demanding than intended", the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said.

While one student Tweeted: "SQA must be having a laugh, wit the f**k was that higher maths exam felt more like higher human biology".

Clive Chamber, a former principal examiner of maths for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), said the 2013 paper was easier than any previous paper he had seen.

The SQA defends this year's Higher Maths exam after a former principal examiner said it was the easiest he had ever seen.

Sciences and maths also saw a fall in the number of pupils taking the subjects at Higher level over the past few years, the SQA figures revealed.

Students will be given equations and mathematical formulae to help them in this year’s GCSE exams because they missed out on teaching due to covid.