Top A-Level grades almost back to pre-pandemic levels

The top A-Level results of A* or A in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have fallen for a second year running - with 27.2% of all grades achieving the top grades.

This brings it close to where it was in 2019, the last year before the pandemic period, when it was 25.4%.

It is a significant fall from recent years - it was 36.4% in 2022 and 44.8% in 2021.

However, the is to be expected as this is the first year that AS and A Levels have largely returned to normal, including the grading system. Grades were higher during the pandemic period due to results being based on teacher assessment.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator, said: "Today we celebrate the success of the class of 2023 and students should be proud of their achievements. They have shown resilience and determination despite the disruption caused by the pandemic during the crucial years of their education.

"Two years ago we set out a clear plan to return to pre-pandemic grading – a system that schools, colleges, universities and employers are all familiar with. As we said then, we expected overall A level results would be similar to 2019, and lower than in 2022. However, recognising the disruption that students have experienced, we put in place important grading protection to make sure that a student who would have secured a particular grade in 2019, would be just as likely to achieve that same grade this year. It is therefore more meaningful to compare this year’s results with those of 2019, the last summer exam series before the pandemic.

"We have been clear about this approach with universities and other higher education providers, and I want to thank them for showing understanding and awareness of the national picture when confirming places with students."