Record top-grade A-level passes
Updated on 20 August 2009
A-level results released today show an improvement in grades for the 27th year in a row, with a record 26.7 per cent of exam entries receiving an A grade.
Figures published by the exam boards showed that over 300,000 people sat A-Levels this year and the results improved for the 27th year in a row.
More than one in four exam entries (26.7 per cent) were awarded an A grade, up from 25.9 per cent last year.
The overall pass rate (grades A-E) was 97.5 per cent, an increase of 0.3 per cent from 2008 and more than three-quarters of entries (75.1 per cent) were awarded at least a C grade.
Traditional subjects are still firm favourites for A-level students, with English and maths again the top choices.
There were an extra 7,882 entries for maths this year, and an extra 1,382 entries for further maths, compared to last year.
The tide is turning in science subjects, with an increase in the number of entries for chemistry and physics, which could be due to a government push to encourage pupils to take these subjects, as well as a backlash against fears that students have been taking so-called "softer" subjects such as media studies. But there was a fall in the number of candidates taking biology.
Languages also saw a slump in popularity this year, as entries for both French and German fell.
There were 552 fewer entries for A-level French, which saw an increase in candidates last year.
Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), said: "These are excellent results. They are the outcome of hard work of students and teachers, who deserve to be congratulated.
"It is particularly good to report improved uptake and outcomes for mathematics and science."
Teenagers all over the country are waiting for their A-Level results and the confirmation, or otherwise, that they will be able to take up a place at university later this year.
But the further education market has been flooded as people try to gain more qualifications or delay their entry into the employment market.
Just 22,000 university places are expected to be available through the clearing system which helps potential students find vacancies. That is half the amount available last year and could mean up to seven applicants fighting for every available place.
