The comprehensive system of external examinations in Scotland has undergone major changes. The external examination system has been expanded to cover the entire secondary school curriculum. The examinations will now be administered to all students. The "continuum" model of criterion referenced tests has been adopted for the school leaving examination in Scotland. The process for implementing the revisions of the external examination program is described. In the future the examination program will be expanded. Six grades (grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12) will be assessed in each aspect of the curriculum. A consequence of the external examination system is that it often determines the curriculum to a certain extent. Teachers of various subjects in the curriculum are anxious to have their subject areas assessed by these examinations. The system requires further research investigation. (DWH)