Pupils picking up their GCSE results today face the ‘fiercest ever’ scramble for college places as results show more top grades were awarded this year.
The proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades has risen from last year but fewer GCSE entries scored a decent pass this year, national figures show.
Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their exam results on Thursday to help them progress to sixth form, college or training.
More than a fifth (21.9%) of UK entries were awarded the top grades – at least a 7 or an A grade – this year, up by 0.1 percentage points on last year, when 21.8% achieved the top grades.
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