Scotland's qualification system needs a "radical" overhaul that better supports teachers and young people, the education secretary has said.
Jenny Gilruth was speaking as pupils across the country sat down for the first written exams of the 2023 diet.
This is the last year any modifications will be made to mitigate disruption caused by Covid.
Next year the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) plans to set exams back to pre-pandemic norms.
Last month an interim report, commissioned by the Scottish government to examine the future of assessment in the nation's schools, said the current exam system was no longer fit for purpose.
A final version of the review, by Prof Louise Hayward, is set to be published next month.
