The Latest Breaking News from Ofqual

Around 203,000 fewer top GCSE grades were awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland compared to last year.

Top grades down more than four percentage points on last year, leading to disappointment for many pupils

The exams watchdog Ofqual deliberately cut grades, after they spiralled when exams were cancelled during the pandemic, and marks were based on teacher assessment.

Some 73,000 fewer top A-level grades were awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland than last year, exams boards said.

UK nations have taken different approaches following the pandemic.

Students across England are receiving lower grades than they might have done in 2022. The percentage of A or A* grades given for A-levels has fallen from 35.9% to 26.5% in 2023. Pupils’ grades are closer to those from before the pandemic, when 25.2% of results were at A or…

Teenagers now face a scramble to secure university places

Sharp drop is part of ministers’ plan to get grades back to 2019 levels, but disadvantaged pupils are likely to bear the brunt

Overall A-level pass rate at lowest level for 15 years as government backs decision to return to pre-pandemic grading