Result certificates are due to land on doormats on Tuesday

A total of 142,082 candidates north of the border are due to have certificates delivered on Tuesday.

But recent changes to postal services has prompted concern from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

It fears it may be inundated with calls because envelopes have not arrived.

Officials are asking people to be patient and not to panic.

Tom Drake, operations director at the SQA, said: "The Royal Mail has introduced a single delivery and in some cases that delivery might be later than people would expect.

"I would really ask that people are patient and that they don't panic if their certificate is not on their floor at 8 o'clock in the morning.

"They should wait till they see the postman coming - he'll have it in his bag I'm sure."

Result helpline

For the first time, candidates with special needs who have sat access certificates will be among those receiving envelopes on the traditional results day.

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Mr Drake added: "They will get their certificates that they've earned in their schools at the same time as their brothers, sisters and friends get their Highers and Standard Grade certificates.

"We haven't been able to do that up till now because it has been a fair bit of extra work, but we've been able to do it this year and we really are very pleased about that."

Careers Scotland is to open its exam results helpline on Tuesday from 0800 GMT to advise pupils across the country on different colleges, university courses and opportunities.

It has access to the UCAS Clearing system which can help students who did not get the grades that they expected, to find a place at another university.

Experts on-call

Christina Allon, director of Careers Scotland, said: "If your exam results are disappointing or unexpected, it's important that you don't panic.

HELPLINE 0808 100 8000 Online and telephone advice BBC One Life results service

"The helpline provides a team of experienced advisers who are at the end of the line to give impartial advice and information on the full range of options.

"Call 0808 100 8000 to talk to one of our experts. It's important for students to call the helpline as soon as they can as colleges and universities make their final selections once the results are out."

Scottish students are the first in the UK to receive their results.

The results of A and AS-levels, for the majority of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, are released on Thursday, 19 August.

GCSE and GNVQ results come out a week later, Thursday 26 August - though those taken with the CCEA exam board in Northern Ireland come out on Tuesday, 24 August.