Official Government Data · 2019–2025
UK School Results & Statistics Dashboard
See how GCSE and A-Level results have changed since COVID. Track Grade 9 and A* rates, compare school attendance, and see how your region performs.
GCSE Grade Trends Over Time
Pass Rate (4+) by Subject (2025)
Is Maths getting harder?
Grade boundaries have stabilised post-COVID. 2025 shows pre-pandemic difficulty levels with Grade 9 rate at 4.8%.
COVID Impact on Results
2020-2021 saw inflated grades due to Teacher Assessed Grades. Since 2022, results have been returning to normal.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 · UK Dept for Education, Ofqual, JCQ · Last updated January 2025
About this data
Understanding UK Education Statistics
The UK education system undergoes constant evolution, and understanding the statistics behind exam results and school attendance is crucial for parents making informed decisions. This dashboard draws from the Department for Education, Ofqual, and JCQ to give a complete picture of educational trends.
Since 2017, GCSEs have used a 9–1 grading scale. Grade 9 represents exceptional performance (top 3–5% of candidates), Grade 4 is a standard pass (equivalent to the old Grade C), and Grade 5 is the "strong pass" many sixth forms require for entry.
grading scale since 2017
of candidates achieve Grade 9
Post-COVID Education Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted UK education. In 2020 and 2021, exams were cancelled and replaced with Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) and Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs), producing substantially higher results. The A* rate at A-Level jumped from 7.8% in 2019 to 19.1% in 2021.
Since 2022, results have been returning to pre-pandemic levels through a carefully managed process by Ofqual. The 2025 figures are now very close to 2019 baselines — though school attendance remains a concern, with persistent absence still nearly double pre-COVID levels.
A-Level A* rate in 2021 (peak)
A-Level A* rate in 2019 (baseline)
A-Level Trends Analysis
A-Level results are critical for university admissions. The proportion achieving A*–A grades peaked at 44.9% in 2021 but has returned to around 27% in 2025. STEM subjects — Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology — typically record higher A* rates because of their selective intake.
Further Mathematics consistently has the highest A* rate (around 30%) because it is typically taken only by the most mathematically able students. Psychology and Sociology have lower top-grade rates but remain popular choices.
A*–A rate peak (2021)
A*–A rate today (2025)
Further Maths A* rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GCSE maths getting harder?
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How has school attendance changed since COVID?
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What percentage of students get a Grade 9 at GCSE?
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Were 2020 and 2021 GCSE/A-Level results inflated?
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What is the GCSE pass rate in the UK?
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What is persistent absence and why does it matter?
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Where does this data come from?
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Can I use this data for research?
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