The A-level exam results for 2025 have shown a slight increase in the number of students achieving top grades. This year, the number of A* grades increased by 0.4% from last year, reaching 9.3%, while the number of A*-A grades went up by 0.6%, reaching 27.8%. Despite being a marginal increase, it is worth noting that this is the highest proportion of A* grades since it was first awarded in 2010. The overall pass rate, graded A*-E, was 97.2%, which is slightly lower than the previous year and below the figure from 2019.
This year marked the first time that the entire UK returned to pre-pandemic approaches to grading. While England adopted this approach last year, Northern Ireland and Wales followed suit for the first time in 2025. The grades this year were largely similar to last year, with some subjects experiencing noticeable differences in entry numbers. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, students have shown resilience and determination in their studies.
One of the notable trends in this year’s A-level results is the surge in the popularity of STEM subjects. Further Maths experienced the largest increase in entries, up by 19.9%. Maths, on the other hand, remained the most popular subject for the 11th year in a row, with over 100,000 students taking it up. Physics and Computer Science also saw significant increases in entries, showcasing a growing interest in these fields among students.
There were small improvements in regional inequalities of grades this year, with London surpassing the South East as the highest-performing area in terms of A*-A grades. The West Midlands and the North East saw the biggest increase in top grades, signaling positive progress in these regions. However, the East Midlands showed the least growth in terms of top grades in England.
Despite the overall positive trends in A-level results, there are still challenges faced by disadvantaged students. While the number of disadvantaged students securing a place at universities reached a record high, the gap between the most deprived and least deprived groups remains significant. Students from the least deprived 20% are still around two and a half times more likely to secure a university place compared to those from the most deprived 20%.
The A-level exam results for 2025 have shown a positive increase in top grades, with a growing interest in STEM subjects among students. Regional disparities in grades have been addressed to some extent, but there is still work to be done to ensure equal opportunities for all students. Despite the challenges faced by disadvantaged students, the record number of university placements indicates a promising future for the next generation of learners.
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