The latest A-level results in the United Kingdom have shown a marginal increase in the number of top grades awarded to students. The most popular subjects have been revealed, with the percentage of students achieving A* grades rising by 0.4% from the previous year to 9.3%. Similarly, the number of A*-A grades has increased by 0.6%, reaching 27.8%. These figures represent the highest proportion of top grades since the introduction of the A* grade in 2010.
While the overall pass rate (graded A*-E) was at 97.2%, down slightly from the previous year’s 97.3% and below the 2019 figure of 97.6%, it is important to note that this year marks the lowest pass rate since 2008. Exam authorities stated that this was the first year the entire UK returned to pre-pandemic approaches to grading, with England having done so last year and Northern Ireland and Wales following suit most recently in 2024.
Despite the overall consistency in grades compared to the previous year, there were noticeable differences in entry numbers across subjects. The top ten most popular subjects remained unchanged, but STEM subjects experienced a surge in popularity. Further Maths saw the largest increase of 19.9%, while Maths remained the most popular subject for the 11th consecutive year, breaking 100,000 student entries for the first time. Physics and Computer Science also saw significant increases in entries.
Regional Disparities
There have been some small improvements in regional inequalities of grades, with London surpassing the South East as the highest-performing area in terms of A*-A grades. The West Midlands and the North East saw the biggest increases in top grades, with the East Midlands showing the least growth in this regard. A*-A grades in Wales and Northern Ireland dropped significantly due to the return to pre-pandemic grading.
Despite a record high number of disadvantaged students securing places at universities, the gap between the most deprived and least deprived groups remains wide. While 27,600 pupils accepted a university place (a 7% increase from the previous year), there is still a significant disparity. Applicants from the least deprived 20% are two and a half times more likely to secure a university place compared to those from the most deprived 20%. However, 82% of accepted applicants were able to secure their first-choice university. Overall, a total of 886,514 A-levels were awarded this year, showing a 2% increase from the previous year.
While there have been some positive trends in A-level results in the UK, there are still underlying issues such as regional disparities and socioeconomic inequalities that need to be addressed to ensure fair and equal opportunities for all students. It is crucial for policymakers and educational institutions to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system that allows every student to reach their full potential.
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