Rise in top grades despite tougher exams
A-level results day has seen the highest proportion of As and A*s awarded since 2012.
The Department for Education says that some 26.4 per cent of exams were awarded top grades this year, although the proportion awarded A* to C dropped slightly from 79 per cent to 78.4 per cent.
Despite restructuring of exams and marking systems, with coursework no longer included, 97.6 per cent of A-level entries were awarded A* to E grades. Students sat more challenging exams in 13 subjects last academic year, with 11 more following this year.
The data from this year's results also shows male students outperforming female students (26.6 per cent of boys were awarded an A or A*, compared with 26.2 per cent of girls), a trend that began last year for the first time since the turn of the millenium.
According to Ucas, a record 27.9 per cent of the 18-year-old population had been accepted onto university courses, with 411,860 students taking places this September so far.
Latest News
07/11/2025 - 09:54
The Scottish Government has announced funding which will go to local councils for strategic approaches to closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
06/11/2025 - 09:42
Ofsted has shared findings from pilot inspections carried out in 115 schools this autumn, ahead of the full rollout of its renewed inspection framework.
06/11/2025 - 09:16
The TV, radio and multi media campaign deals with the root causes of absences and identifies ways to approach conversations about wellbeing that can help pupils to improve their attendance.
05/11/2025 - 09:49
The government will publish a new set of enrichment benchmarks, with schools asked to ensure every child has access to activities across five categories of enrichment.
05/11/2025 - 09:37
For the first time, primary aged children will gain vital skills like how to spot fake news and identify misinformation and disinformation.
