The proportion of prime A-level grades is down on final yr however nonetheless stays above pre-pandemic ranges.
A* and A grades had been awarded to 27.2% of scholars, in comparison with 36.4% final yr, 44.7% in 2021 and 38.5% in 2020.
But the quantity is up by 1.8% in comparison with pre-pandemic ranges, when 25.4% of A-level entries had been awarded A or A* grades.
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The total go price – the proportion of entries graded A* to E – has fallen to 97.3% this yr, which is decrease than 2022 (98.4%) and the pre-pandemic yr of 2019 (97.6%). In truth, the speed is at its lowest degree since 2008 when it stood at 97.2%.
Pupils in England noticed the most important drop in prime marks, with the share of exams graded A or above down by 9% in comparison with 2022.
Welsh college students noticed a 7% drop in prime grades whereas in Northern Ireland noticed a lower of 6%.
But in comparison with the final summer season earlier than the pandemic in 2019, the variety of prime grades awarded in England is up by 2%, in Wales 7% and in Northern Ireland 9%.
It follows a push to convey grades again in-line with pre-pandemic ranges. English examination boards have stated grade boundaries can be barely extra lenient, however outcomes are anticipated to be broadly in keeping with 2019 ranges.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, examination regulators have stated they don’t plan to return to pre-pandemic grading till 2024.
“The reality is that those systems are different anyway, they’re different awarding bodies,” Education Secretary Gillian Keegan informed Sky News when requested if there have been questions on equity.
“University admissions officers know the difference in these systems so they’re quite sophisticated in understanding the difference between the English system and the Scottish system.”
There are nonetheless regional variations on the subject of the share of scholars attaining prime grades.
Compared to pre-pandemic ranges, the variety of pupils receiving A-A* grades continues to be up by 3.1%. That compares to the North East, the place 1% fewer pupils achieved prime marks.
But total, college students in South East achieved the best share of prime marks, with greater than 3 in 10 papers (30.3%) receiving A-A* grades. That in comparison with 22% within the North East, 22.3% within the East Midlands, 22.9% within the West Midlands, 24.1% within the North West and 26.6% within the East.
Maths nonetheless stays the most well-liked A-level topic, adopted by Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, History, Sociology, Business Studies, Art and Design, Economics and Physics.
Computing noticed the most important improve in entries, up by 64% since 2019. Media and movie research in addition to political research and economics additionally noticed will increase in entries.
There continues to be an enormous distinction in the kind of topics female and male college students are selecting to take at A-level.
Of the 15 hottest topics, 77% of these selecting to take physics are male in comparison with 78% of these finding out English Literature being feminine.
UCAS additionally says fewer A-level pupils have gained a spot at their first alternative of college or faculty in comparison with final yr.
It stated 79% secured their first alternative, in comparison with 81% in 2022, when exams had been re-introduced and 74% in 2019, when grading preparations had been the identical as this yr.
An additional 9% of scholars are in clearing, which in comparison with 12% in 2019 and seven% in 2022.
Elsewhere, 12% have been positioned at their insurance coverage alternative, in comparison with 14% in 2019 and 11% in 2022.
More than twice the variety of college students from advantaged backgrounds (76,780) had been accepted in comparison with these from deprived backgrounds (25,760).
UCAS Chief Executive Clare Merchant stated: “Today’s data shows that challenges in widening participation to the most disadvantaged students still persist.
“This demonstrates that all of us must proceed the efforts to make sure essentially the most deprived people in society are in a position to profit from life-changing alternatives in greater training and coaching, notably because the 18-year-old inhabitants grows”.
Overall, 414,940 candidates have gained a spot at college or faculty, down from 425,830 final yr however up on 408,960 in 2019.
Source: information.sky.com”