Following the upward trend seen in last week’s A level results, the proportion of students in Wales being awarded the top grades A* – A has increased; from 17.9% to 18.5% this year.
Despite the 8.9% decrease in entries, overall GCSE performance in Wales continues to remain relatively stable with 61.6% of students achieving grades A* – C across all subjects; compared to 62.8% in 2017.
This is the second year of reform for English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Mathematics – Numeracy, Welsh (1st) Language and Welsh Literature. Another 15 reformed subjects (taking total to 21) have their results this year, including a new Double Award in Science.
Mathematics
In Wales, students have the opportunity to take either GCSE Mathematics or GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy, with the majority taking the opportunity to study both subjects.
This summer’s results show continued stability – with an increase of 0.3 percentage points in the proportion of students achieving grade A*-C in GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy; and an improvement in performance of female students by 0.4 percentage points.
Meanwhile, there has been a slight fall, of two percentage points, in the number of students being awarded grades A*-C for GCSE Mathematics.
However, for GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy, entries and outcomes are most appropriately reflected in the best outcome obtained by 16 year olds across both the November and summer series. Figures 1 and 2 reflect the continued stability in entries and outcomes, when considered across the full academic year.
The proportion of students in Wales being awarded the top grades A* - A has increased; from 17.9% to 18.5% this year.
