A LEVEL RESULTS posted this morning show an overall 98* pass rate at grades A* to E compared with 99.1% last year. Today’s results are still higher than when the last year exams were sat in 2019 when the overall pass rate at A* to E was 97.6%. The percentage of entries graded at A or A* this year was 40.9%. This is down significantly from the record 48.3% in 2021 during the second year of teacher assessed grades and 27% when exams were last sat in 2019. A total 17.1* got the top A* grade.

Exams were cancelled for two years of the pandemic but returned this year. Students have reported hard exams leaving them in tears.

The WJEC was forced to apologise on June 8 after set text questions were missed off the A level English language and literature A level. Officials insisted candidates would not be disadvantaged but said they would wait until results day in August to determine what had gone wrong.

Candidates and teachers have also claimed both a maths A level and AS exam included content they were told would not be there and that questions were far harder than pre-Covid papers – there have also been complaints about A level chemistry and music. The education minister responded telling learners “you will be treated fairly”. Exam regulator Qualifications Wales has said grade boundaries will be set lower than last year’s record high results, which were based on teacher-assessed grades, but will remain higher than pre-pandemic.

It is expected to be a tough year for students looking for places, with reports that the number of last-minute courses available at elite Russell Group universities has halved in just two years meaning those who fail to achieve the grades needed for their first-choice course are likely to be disappointed again when they try to find an alternative.

Universities in Wales have already confirmed they have increased entry requirements for some courses due to an increase in home and overseas applications, the rise in the number of 18-year-olds in the population, and some universities scaling back after expanding during the pandemic.

Education Secretary James Cleverly said: “Every single student collecting their results today should be proud of their achievements. Not only have they studied throughout the pandemic, but they are the first group in three years to sit exams.

“For that, I want to congratulate them and say a huge thank you to those who helped them get to this point.”

Association of Colleges chief executive, David Hughes, said: “The class of 2022 has faced unprecedented disruption to their education and many have never taken public exams before due to the pandemic.

“So, their achievements are a testament to their resilience and hard work throughout this period, and to their outstanding teachers and support staff who have helped them to achieve success.”

Dr Nick Smith, courses director and founder of The Oxford Open Learning Trust, said: “This year’s A-level students deserve tremendous credit for persevering and achieving so much. It’s brilliant to see that many have secured the results they wanted, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. 

“There will inevitably be students who don’t quite receive the grades that they had hoped for and for these individuals they will naturally feel disappointed. But they shouldn’t worry, as there are a number of options available to those who didn’t get the A-levels they were expecting or needing. 

“To start with, check out the UCAS clearing system as many institutions will still have places available. The website will show whether your desired course is available somewhere else, and it’s also worth giving them a call. 

“If you feel like the grade you’ve been given is lower than you expected, you can appeal by contacting your school, who will then inform the examining board. The board will examine the evidence provided by the school and decide whether any changes need to be made. 

“You also have the option of exploring other learning avenues, such as work experience or apprenticeships. Taking a gap year is also a possibility, allowing you to travel or volunteer before going into further education. 

“Alternatively, you could take a break from traditional education but carry on learning by resitting your A-levels or studying for new ones while working. Opting for distance learning is the most flexible approach you can take as everything you need is available online, meaning that you can learn wherever and whenever is convenient for you.” 

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