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UK exam results show record grades and regional disparities

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2026-08-17 13:43 UTC → 2026-08-20 08:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Educational trends highlight a growing interest in STEM subjects and technical qualifications. As~~ Individual institutional successes have continued to emerge. At Forest School, students ~~navigate these~~ achieved record-breaking results, ~~the UCAS Clearing process has become a strategic period rather than a last-minute scramble,~~ with ~~92%~~ approximately 58.4% of ~~students researching options to match specific career~~ grades being A* or ~~interest goals. To assist this transition, new rankings based on feedback~~ A, and 86% being A*, A, or B. Notably, all Oxbridge applicants from ~~360,000 final-year students have been released. The University of Birmingham was named~~ the ~~overall winner across 12 performance areas, while the University~~ school received offers, and 89% of ~~Worcester was recognized as the ‘University~~ total offers came from Russell Group or UK Top 10 universities. Members of the ~~Year for Graduate Jobs’. Individual institutional successes~~ Choir Schools Association, including students from New Hall School, King’s School, Gloucester, and Downside School, have also ~~been reported. At Crompton House Sixth Form, 53% of students achieved A*-B grades, with many progressing to institutions~~ secured placements in diverse disciplines such as ~~Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Manchester, while others secured apprenticeships at firms like Softcat~~ Classics, Law, History, Economics, Engineering, and ~~Yorkshire Water.~~ Music.

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