GCSE Results Day 2024: Top Grades Dip Slightly as Pass Rates Decline, Yet Scores Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Top marks in GCSEs decline as numerous teens get their scores

The overall passing rate has decreased, yet outcomes remain above pre-pandemic levels.

Thursday, August 22, 2024, 1:

Numerous adolescents across the country collected their GCSE scores, seeing a modest decline in the percentage of highest marks given compared to the previous year.

In England, the method of grading reverted to its pre-pandemic standards last year, and this year, examination authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland followed suit.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) announced that a record-breaking number of over 6.5 million results were distributed across the three nations for GCSEs, along with Level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs).

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The GCSE outcomes have largely remained consistent with the previous year, as over 20% of the entries, exactly 21.8%, received the highest marks of at least a 7 or an A grade. This figure is a slight decrease from the 22% recorded in 2023, yet it still surpasses the 20.8% observed in 2019 prior to the pandemic.

Approximately 67.6% of scores reached a 4 or C and higher, marking the recognized pass level, a slight decrease from 68.2% in 2023 and an increase from 67.3% in 2019.

The percentage of students achieving a grade of 1, G, or higher stands at 97.9%, a slight decrease from 98% in 2023 and 98.3% in 2019.

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In Northern Ireland and Wales, the conventional grading scale from A* to G is utilized. However, England has adopted a new grading scheme that ranges from 9 to 1, with 9 being the top score.

A score of 4 generally corresponds to a C grade, while a score of 7 is typically comparable to an A grade.

The number of GCSE submissions rose by 4.8%, reaching over 6.1 million, which led to an additional 50,000 highest-achieving grades compared to the previous year.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed on X: "Well done to everyone getting their GCSE results today – you've performed wonderfully.

"I am aware of the transformative impact that education and opportunity can have. My administration is committed to ensuring that each individual's journey is shaped by their abilities, expertise, and aspirations, rather than their background."

Impact of the global

The COVID-19 pandemic caused interruptions in education, resulting in higher GCSE and A-level scores for the years 2020 and 2021, as grades were determined by teachers' assessments rather than traditional examinations.

Last week saw an increase in the percentage of A-level results achieving the highest marks, exceeding both last year's figures and those from before the pandemic.

Numerous students collecting their GCSE scores today were in their first year of secondary school when educational institutions initially shut down because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Education sector leaders have highlighted that recent secondary school students have faced numerous obstacles throughout their education.

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Submissions from students aged 17 and above increased by 20.5%, with a significant number believed to be retaking exams amid a return to pre-pandemic evaluation criteria.

Girls continue to outperform boys in terms of results, although the difference has decreased a bit. The list of the ten most popular subjects has not changed from last year, with the double award in science leading with 980,786 entries.

Mathematics continues to be the second favorite subject after English, and beyond the top ten, business studies rose from fourteenth to twelfth place, seeing a 9.7% growth in popularity.

"Greatly troubled" by disparities

Education Minister Catherine McKinnell stated, "I would like to extend my congratulations to all the students and their teachers for their accomplishments today, especially considering the numerous obstacles they have faced in recent years to reach this point."

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"While we should take time to rejoice, I am profoundly troubled by the disparities within our educational framework, where your location and the nature of the school you attend continue to heavily impact your prospects."

Data from Ofqual, the exams regulator, indicates that the disparity in GCSE scores between private and public schools in England has increased at the highest grade levels this year.

Almost half (48.4%) of the exam submissions from private schools earned a grade of 7 or higher, while only 19.4% of entries from comprehensive schools reached the same level. This represents a 29-percentage-point disparity, an increase from last year’s gap of 28.2 percentage points.

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Data from the Joint Council for Qualifications reveals that both London and the South East outperform other English regions in achieving high marks, with over 25% of exam entries in these areas receiving a grade 7 or higher (London 28.5%, South East 24.7%).

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the North East holds the smallest percentage, with only 17.8% of submissions achieving a grade 7 or higher.

The disparity between London and the North East has slightly decreased to 10.7 percentage points this year, down from 10.8 percentage points the previous year.

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