Last updated: 14 August 2026, following the release of the 2026 results.
Almost everyone passes A-levels. Around 97.5% of entries are graded A* to E every year, and that figure barely moves. The competition happens entirely at the top of the scale, which is why the pass rate is the least useful statistic in the whole dataset and the top grade share is the most useful.
Here is where the numbers stand after the 2026 results, and what they mean if you are deciding whether to retake.
Where the Numbers Stand in 2026
JCQ published the UK-wide figures on Thursday 13 August 2026.
| Measure | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Grades at A* | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| Grades at A or A* | 28.7% | 28.2% |
| Overall A* to E pass rate | 97.5% | Broadly unchanged |
Top grades rose for the third consecutive year. The pass rate did not meaningfully move, as it has not for a decade.
The Shape of the Last Seven Years
You do not need a full table of figures to understand the trend, because it has four clear phases.
Before 2020. Grades were awarded on exams, and the share of A and A* grades sat comfortably in the mid twenties.
2020 and 2021. Exams were cancelled. Grades came from centre assessments and then teacher assessments, and top grades rose sharply, peaking in 2021 at the highest level ever recorded. Comparing any 2020 or 2021 result against any other year is meaningless; they were awarded on a different basis.
2022 and 2023. Ofqual deliberately brought grading back down towards pre-pandemic standards, in two steps. 2023 was the year that process completed.
2024 to 2026. Grading has been stable, with small year on year rises in top grades. 2026 sits slightly above 2025, which sat slightly above 2024.
For the exact figures by year, subject, region and centre type, Ofqual publishes an interactive breakdown on its analytics site. It is the authoritative source and it is more detailed than any summary table.
Why the Pass Rate Misleads People
A 97.5% pass rate sounds like almost everyone succeeded. In admissions terms, almost nobody did.
An E grade is a pass. It is also below the entry requirement of essentially every degree course a student would apply to. So "I passed" and "I got the grades I needed" describe completely different outcomes, and the national pass rate tells you nothing about the second one.
The number that matters is 28.7%. Just over a quarter of all entries reach A or A*. If your offer needed an A and you got a B, you missed a threshold that roughly seven in ten entries also miss. That is a competitive gap, not a verdict on your ability.
What This Means If You Are Considering a Retake
Three practical implications.
Rising top grades make a near miss more costly. When a larger share of the cohort holds A and A* grades, the students competing for the same university place are on average slightly stronger than last year's. A one grade shortfall carries more weight than it did in 2024.
Stable grading makes a retake more predictable. During 2020 to 2023 the goalposts moved between years, and a retake carried genuine uncertainty about how it would be graded. That has not been true since 2024. A retake now is assessed on broadly the same basis as the attempt before it.
One grade is the usual gap. Most retake students are one or two grades away from the offer they wanted in a single subject, not three grades away across the board. Our guide on whether A-level retakes improve grades sets out what typically changes and what does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A-level pass rate in England?
Around 97.5% of entries are graded A* to E. The figure has been stable for years and includes grades far below university entry requirements, so it is a poor guide to how a student actually performed.
What percentage of students get an A or A*?
28.7% of entries in 2026, up from 28.2% in 2025. Roughly one entry in ten is an A*.
Are A-levels getting easier?
No. Standards are held broadly stable year to year. The 2020 and 2021 spike came from cancelled exams and teacher assessment, not easier papers, and grading was deliberately brought back down in 2022 and 2023.
Do universities take the year of my grades into account?
Some do, informally, for the 2020 to 2022 cohorts. For results from 2024 onwards, grading has been stable enough that the year makes little difference.
Does retaking put me at a disadvantage against first time candidates?
Generally no. Most universities consider the grade rather than the number of attempts. Medicine is the main exception and usually asks for specific circumstances.
Where to Go Next
If your grades came in below your offer, the national picture is context rather than a verdict. What decides your next step is the size of the gap between what you have and what your course needs.
Our analysis of the 2026 results covers what to do in the days immediately after results day, and when retake courses start covers the enrolment deadlines.
To talk through your own results, make an enquiry.
Education Editor
Jonny covers A-Level retakes, exam preparation, and university admissions across the UK. With years of experience in the education sector, he provides practical guidance for students and parents navigating the retake process.
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