Teenagers across Wales are collecting their A-level results today amid warnings that results will be lower than last year. This summer’s exams returned in full to pre-pandemic conditions meaning candidates did not have forewarning about topics or any other help to mitigate for Covid “lost learning”.
A-level and AS Levels exams and assessments took place in Wales in 2022 and 2023 with extra support being provided including some advance information of content and a supportive grading approach. That all changed for candidates this year.
Kerry Davies, head of qualifications monitoring and standards at exam regulator Qualifications Wales, said people should expect to see lower results this morning compared to the last few years. She said A-levels, and vocational qualification results are expected to be broadly similar to those pre-pandemic and you can read more about the reasons why here.
Read more: What you can do if you didn't get the A-level results you expected in Wales
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Exams were cancelled by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and have not been held under “normal” conditions since 2019 leading to what some have seen as “grade inflation" with record high results posted. In 2020 and 2021 candidates received results based on teacher assessments to take into account Covid disruption and classroom closures.
For those wanting to go on to university, Clearing may be busy with some students receiving better or worse results than expected. But there has also been a significant fall in the number of 18 year-olds applying for university.
Stay with us while we bring you the all important results and reactions from across Wales.
Neath-Port Talbot group of Colleges have confirmed their results with a pass rate of 99%. They say over half of the students achieved A* - B grades and more than quarter of students achieved the top A*- A grades.
Over three quarters of students achieved A* - C grades. Students who follow the Gifted and Talented Excellence (GATE) programme continue to raise the bar , with 84 percent achieving A* - A grades and 100 percent A* - B grades.
Students sitting their Level 3 Vocational qualifications also excelled with 127 distinction grades awarded, of these 39 were at distinction star level, the highest possible vocational grade profile, which is the equivalent to an A* at A Level.
In addition, no fewer than 370 learners successfully achieved the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate with an outstanding pass rate of 100 percent with 64 percent achieving between an A* and C grade.
The total number of students accepted on to UK degree courses has risen by 3% on the same point last year, with 425,680 taking up places so far, initial Ucas figures show.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, has congratulated learners across Wales who have received their A-level, AS, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results this morning.
On a visit to Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, the Cabinet Secretary met students collecting their results. She said:
“Today is a big day for everyone receiving their results across Wales. I want to congratulate all the students, as well as our fantastic teachers and school and college staff, for all their hard work leading up to today.
“This year’s exams mark the final step to pre-pandemic arrangements. This year, for the first time since the pandemic, A-level and AS Levels exams and assessments took place with the same arrangements as pre-pandemic.
“The results are what we hoped to see and are broadly similar to pre-pandemic outcomes.
“Each and every one of you receiving results today should be tremendously proud of your achievements. Today is testament to your resilience and perseverance.
“Whatever your plans are for the next step in your life, I wish you all ‘pob lwc’. There are many ways to continue your learning, some of you may be about to start an apprenticeship or a new job or maybe you have secured a place at your chosen university, including some of our great institutions here in Wales.
“But if you need advice on what to do next, there’s plenty of information and support available to you, through your school or college as well as the Young Person's Guarantee which offers a range of options.”
“I will continue to focus on doing everything I can to raise standards and ensure everyone is supported to reach their full potential.”
Not all teenagers leaving school in Wales are heading into further or higher education and new data shows more are going straight into employment.
According to new data from Wales’s national careers advice service, Careers Wales, there has been a significant increase in the number of students entering the workforce immediately after completing Year 11. In adddition 13% of year 13s decided to go straight into employment in 2023. This is the highest per centage since 9% in 2009.
The number of A level entries in Wales have fallen this year.
These are the numbers of A level entries since 2018 in Wales
2024 32,385
2023 33,140
2022 36,310
2021 36,140
2020 31,095
2019 32,580
2018 33,640
Showcase Cinemas in Wales are offering free popcorn to students collecting their A-level results today. To claim the offer, all students need to do is present a ticket for a film showing today and proof of their A-level results.
Qasim Hussain, NUS vice president further education, congratulated all getting A level, Btec and other level 3 qualifications today. He said: “Congratulations on making it to results day! I know you have worked extremely hard to be here, and I am proud of you no matter what happens next.
"Whether you choose to go straight into work, start an apprenticeship, or go to university, there is no one path to success. Any decision is a good decision as long as it is right for you.
"If you don’t know what you want to do, make sure to talk to your teachers, or guidance or careers counsellors to help identify what is the right path for you.
“If you haven’t got the grades you expected, don’t panic. It may feel like the end of the world, but there are lots of ways to achieve your goals. If you didn’t get into the university you wanted, ask your teachers or guidance counsellors about clearing. If you are not interested in clearing, there is no shame in retaking an exam or taking a year out to rethink your goals.
“Your grades do not define you. Whether you did better or worse than expected, you should be proud of all the hard work you put into getting yourself through such a stressful time. If you’re planning to stay in education, I hope to see you as part of the student movement in the future!”
Exam bosses have warned that A Level grades are expected to be lower overall as exam conditions return fully to pre-pandemic conditions in Wales. The warnings have been made throughout the academic year as regulator Qualifications Wales and exam board WJEC kept in touch with schools and colleges.
Hundreds of thousands of sixth-form and college students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be picking up their results for their A Level, AS, BTEC and other qualifications today.
There's not long to go before the grades start coming in. Pupils can normally pick up the results in person at their school from 8am onwards, but some receive them by email instead.
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