UK GCSE & A-Level Statistics 2026

Approximately 700,000 students sit GCSEs each year in England. GCSEs are graded 9-1, with grade 4 considered a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. Around 67% of students achieve grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics — the key benchmark.

A-Level results show that approximately 27% of entries achieved an A or A* grade in 2024, down from 36% in 2021 when grade inflation during Covid-era teacher assessment peaked.

There are persistent attainment gaps between different groups of pupils. Students eligible for free school meals consistently underperform their peers. Students in London perform significantly above the national average.

What percentage of students pass GCSE English and Maths?

Around 67% of students in England achieved grade 4 or above in both English Language and Mathematics in 2024. Grade 4 is the benchmark for a standard pass. Students who don't achieve grade 4 must continue studying English and Maths until age 18.

Have GCSE grades been inflated?

Yes — GCSE and A-Level grades rose significantly during 2020 and 2021 when exams were cancelled and replaced by teacher-assessed grades. Ofqual has been returning grades towards pre-pandemic levels since 2022.

What are the most popular A-Level subjects?

The most popular A-Level subjects in 2024 are: Mathematics (1st), Psychology (2nd), Biology (3rd), History (4th), and English Literature (5th). STEM subjects have grown in popularity while arts subjects have declined.

Is the UK education system performing well internationally?

The UK performs around the OECD average in PISA rankings. England typically ranks around 10th-15th globally. UK universities dominate global top 100 rankings relative to population size.

What is the attainment gap?

The attainment gap refers to the difference in outcomes between disadvantaged pupils (eligible for free school meals) and their peers. In 2024, disadvantaged pupils were around 18 months behind their peers at GCSE level.