# UK exam results show record grades and regional disparities > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-student-exam-results-and-higher-education-trends > Updated: 2026-08-18T19:04:09.000Z. Sources: 73. Developments: 4. The 2026 UK A-level, T-level, and BTEC results show a third consecutive year of rising top grades, with 28.5% of entries achieving A or A* grades and 9.6% securing an A*. A record 262,820 students have secured university or college places. Mathematics remains the most popular subject for the 13th year, though a gender divide has been noted, with boys outperforming girls in top grades. In mathematics specifically, boys accounted for 63% of entries. Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith emphasized the need to address gender stereotypes in subject choice, while Ofqual head Sir Ian Bauckham noted that the high volume of maths entries is a significant driver of the overall increase in top-tier grades. Regional disparities have reached a significant level, with the gap between London (32.7% A/A*) and the North East and East Midlands (23.1%) marking the widest divide since 2010. In Northern Ireland, top grades rose to 30.7%, while in Wales, over 22% of entries achieved A* grades. Individual institutional successes have continued to emerge. At Forest School, students achieved record-breaking results, with approximately 58.4% of grades being A* or A, and 86% being A*, A, or B. Notably, all Oxbridge applicants from the school received offers, and 89% of total offers came from Russell Group or UK Top 10 universities. Members of the Choir Schools Association, including students from New Hall School, King’s School, Gloucester, and Downside School, have also secured placements in diverse disciplines such as Classics, Law, History, Economics, Engineering, and Music. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: UK students celebrate record A Level results and university placements Students at various UK schools, including Forest School and members of the Choir Schools Association, are celebrating record-breaking A Level results and university placements. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-students-celebrate-record-a-level-results-and-university-placements ### 2026-08-16: UK students celebrate A-Level results and university placements Students in the UK are celebrating A-Level results, with high achievement rates at Crompton House Sixth Form and Gordon's School leading to university placements and professional apprenticeships. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-students-celebrate-a-level-results-and-university-placements ### 2026-08-12: UK A-level results show rising top grades amid widening regional divide UK students have received A-level results, showing a three-year rise in top grades driven by maths, though a significant regional achievement gap between London and the North persists. 66 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-students-receive-a-level-and-technical-exam-results ### 2026-08-12: UK universities prepare for Results Day and Clearing season UK students prepare for A Level and BTEC Results Day amid evolving Clearing processes and new university rankings, with the University of Birmingham named overall winner. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-universities-prepare-for-results-day-and-clearing-season --- Cite as: UK exam results show record grades and regional disparities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-student-exam-results-and-higher-education-trends