August 11, 2021
2 mins read

UK A-level top grades reach record high

This second year of replacement results after exams were cancelled, has seen even higher results than last year when 38.5% achieved top grades, it was reported…reports Asian Lite News.

More than 210,000 18-year-old students in England have had their university places confirmed, with 192,000 at their first choice and increases in top grades for students from all backgrounds, the government has announced.

Top grades for A-level results for England, Wales and Northern Ireland have reached a record high – with 44.8% getting A* or A grades, the BBC reported.

This second year of replacement results after exams were cancelled, has seen even higher results than last year when 38.5% achieved top grades, it was reported.

More than 200,000 students are also getting vocational BTec results.

In Scotland, the pass rates for Highers and Nationals dropped slightly – but scores were still well above pre-pandemic levels.

The sharp rise in top grades at A-level means that the proportion getting top A* and A grades has risen by almost 75% since the last time conventional exams were taken in 2019.

With more top grades and record numbers applying for university, it will put pressure on places for the most competitive universities and courses, the BBC said.

The Department of Education said comparison of grades between this year and last year showed no notable changes in historic disparities between groups of students and types of school; 88.4% of grades are A* to C at A level, compared to 87.8% in 2020.

There was a 15.8% increase relative to last year in the proportion of grades at A and A* in academies, compared with 15.2% in independent schools. That represents a 5.7pp increase in the proportion of grades at A and A* from last year in academies, compared with a 9.3ppt increase in independent schools., it said.

In real terms, this means there are 1.21 times more A and A* grades in academies, compared to 1.17 times more A and A* grades in independent schools, in 2021 compared to 2020, it added.

“It’s fantastic to see a record number of disadvantaged students going to university,” Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said.

“While there has been an increase in the number of top grades awarded, young people and their families can be confident grades carry the same weight as any other year and will allow them to progress to the next stage of education or work,” he added.

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