A-Level results sees new fall in top grades

The A*-A pass rate fell for the first time in more than 20 years last year.

The latest drop comes amid rising numbers of teenagers taking A-levels in science and maths. It is believed to be the second biggest fall in the history of A-levels.

It had previously been suggested by some that an increased focus on traditional subjects, such as maths and science, could fuel a slight drop, as youngsters who may not have considered taking these subjects in the past, and may not be as strong in them, are now opting for the courses to help their chances of securing a university place.

In total, biology, chemistry and physics accounted for 17.8% of all entries – up from 17 per cent last year and 15 per cent in 2009, according to figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

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And one in eight (12 per cent) of entries were for maths or further maths, up from 11.5 pe cent last year and 9.8 per cent five years ago.

There were almost 24,000 more entries for the sciences this year compared with 2009, JCQ said, and nearly 19,000 more for maths courses.

The new statistics also show that the number of entries awarded an A* – the very top grade – also dipped this year, with 7.6 per cent of exams scoring the mark, compared with 7.9 per cent last year.

The overall A*-E pass rate has risen slightly by 0.1 per cent. Some 98.1 per cent of exams achieved at least an E, compared with 98 per cent last year.

More than 300,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results this morning.

For many, success in the exams will mean a prized place at university, an apprenticeship or other training scheme, while those who achieved less than expected are likely to be considering their options.

The national picture shows that boys have outperformed girls in the very top grade again this year, and widened the gap, with 8 per cent of boys’ entries attaining an A* compared with 7.4 per cent of girls.

Girls are still slightly ahead in A*-A grades combined, but their results dropped half a percentage point this year to narrow the gap between the genders.

Overall, 26.6 per cent of girls’ entries got at least an A grade, compared with 27.1 per cent last year, while 26 per cent of boys’ exams achieved this standard, up from 25.8 per cent in 2012.

A-level economics is seeing a surge in popularity, the figures suggest, with 26,139 entries this year. The number of people taking the subject has risen by 50 per cent since 2007.