Data published today by The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) showed that A Level results are up again for the 27th consecutive year.

846,977 students across England, Northern Ireland and Wales sat the exams, with a total 75.1% passing with a grade C or above, and 97.5% passing with a grade E or above. The amount of students passing the exams with A to E grades has risen 0.8% from last year.

Entry numbers for students sitting A Levels this year increased by 2.3% from 2008. Figures for students sitting subjects such as maths, further mathematics, chemistry, physics and Spanish were also up from last year. However English, maths and biology are still amongst the top choices favoured by A Level students.

Director of the JCQ, Dr Jim Sinclair said: “These are excellent results. They are the outcome of the 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.”

As predicted the grade increase has received criticism, one comment posted on a Guardian Online article entitled ‘One in Four A Levels Passed at Grade A’ read: “25% of grades ‘A’. 75% of grades A – C. It’s a bit of a joke, isn’t it?” Whilst another read “This system is not working. The ever better results are not, to a large extent, a true reflection of ability or hard work, but merely a manipulation intended to make the system and those in charge look good.”

Defending the exam results, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said, “there is no difference in the quality of the examinations and there can be no question mark about the effort put in by young people.”

i-studentadvisor would like to congratulate all A Level students who received their results today.