Students today have expressed their frustration and disappointment over the A-level marking clampdown, as the percentage of exams awarded top grades has decreased. This year’s students did not sit GCSE exams two years ago due to the pandemic and were instead given teacher-assessed grades. Referred to as the “unluckiest” cohort, these exams were the first formal tests they have taken. Despite the decline in top grades compared to last year, the proportion still remains higher than before the pandemic.
Approximately 250,000 students have received their grades this year, as the government and exams regulator in England aimed to return to pre-pandemic grading. However, 19,000 students found themselves in a Clearing frenzy after missing out on a university place, with some institutions running out of spots within hours. The University of Birmingham, for example, announced that it was closed for Clearing by 12:30 pm. Similarly, London South Bank University experienced a 29% rise in Clearing applications, while Aston University reported high call volumes.
One student, Guy Martin, who needed specific grades for chemical engineering, did not get into his first-choice university but will pursue the same degree at his insurance choice. He expressed his disappointment and pointed out the impact of the pandemic on his education. He stated that he hadn’t taken any real exams until his A-levels and worried about lower grade boundaries this year, feeling that they had been let down.
The data released today reveals that 27.2% of UK entries received either an A or A* grade, a decrease of 9.2 percentage points compared to last year but higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 25.4% in 2019. The overall pass rate has fallen to 97.3% this year, lower than 2022 (98.4%) and 2019 (97.6%), reaching its lowest level since 2008.
In the midst of the pandemic, a student named May Drinkell achieved the grades she needed to study physiotherapy. She recognized the challenges brought about by the disruptions but commended her teachers for helping them navigate through the difficulties smoothly. She expressed relief that the process was finally over and hopes to study physiotherapy at UEA in Norwich while continuing her cricket training.
However, the Ucas website faced technical issues and temporarily crashed this morning. Some students expressed concerns on social media when they couldn’t access their results. Ucas reported that the website was running slow for a small number of students due to high traffic volumes but resolved the issue promptly.
This year’s A-level results also saw an increase in the demand for Clearing, with 29,000 courses and 8,000 apprenticeships available. Despite a slight decrease in students securing their first-choice university compared to last year (79% this year compared to 81% last year), 91% of students were accepted into their first or insurance choice. The remaining 9% entered Clearing. It is worth noting that 19,010 UK 18-year-old applicants didn’t meet the conditions of their offer, higher than previous years.
The A-level results, covering entries from students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, show a decline in top grades compared to last year but still surpass pre-pandemic levels. Approximately 27.2% of entries received an A or A* grade, down from 36.4% in 2022 but higher than the 25.4% in 2019. The overall pass rate stands at 97.3%, the lowest since 2008, while 76.0% received a C or above, slightly exceeding 2019’s figure of 75.9%.
Overall, students today expressed their disappointment and concerns about the impact of the pandemic on their education and the challenges they faced during the A-level exams. The results highlight the continued effects of the pandemic on the education system and university admissions process.
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