A level and AS results are broadly similar in Wales

GCE A level Results
The A level provisional results for Wales show stability with 98.6% of students achieving A* – E. There was a small increase at A* with 10.8% of candidates collecting these grades.
The total number of A level examination entries in Wales this year was 30,448, a reduction of 3.3% relative to 2019, continuing the decreasing A level entries since the summer of 2015, in line with the reduction in size of the 18-year old population.
In Wales, males continue to outperform females at grade A, 0.8 percentage points ahead. Whilst at other grades females continued to outperform males, with 99.0% of subject entries by females this year gaining A– E grades, compared to 98.2% of entries by males.
Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Results
There were 45,435 cash-in entries for AS in Wales this year, an increase of 14.6%
compared with 39,646 last year, which can be attributed to an extent by the number of candidates cashing in.
22.2% of all grades awarded were A in Wales this year, compared with 20.3% in 2019.

The percentage of candidates achieving A – E grades shows a small growth,
with 91.4% achieving these grades.
23.8% of all grades achieved by females were an A, 93.4% were A – E. The equivalent figures for males were 20.0% at A grade and 88.9% at grades A – E.
Trends in Subject Entries
There has been an overall reduction in entries for all subjects at A level. However, Biology (+44), Computing (+37), Further Mathematics (+55), Mathematics (+119) Physics (+48), Psychology (+128) and Sociology (+22) have seen an increase in entries.
For AS, overall there has been an upward entry pattern in most subjects, with significant entries for the following: Biology (+941), Chemistry (+654), English Literature (+539), Mathematics (+517), Physics (+476) and Psychology (+673).
Mathematics remains the most popular A level and AS subject with 3,704 and 5,144
entries respectively. Outcomes have remained relatively stable at both levels.
There has been a small increase in entries for Welsh 1
st and 2nd Language at AS, but a reduction at A level. However, this reflects the year on year fluctuations in entries.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For information about the results in Wales, contact:
Jonathan Thomas, PR Manager, WJEC on 029 2026 5102
jonathan.thomas@wjec.co.uk.
For information about the UK results, contact JCQCIC’s press office on 020 7227
0671, or 07905 683816 or at pressoffice@jcq.org.uk
Further statistical details on the results for the UK, Wales, England and Northern
Ireland may be found at www.jcq.org.uk

Statement from Education Minister, Kirsty Williams on A/AS Level and Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Results 2020:-

“I want to send my very best wishes to everyone who receives their A-level, AS, Welsh Bacc and vocational qualification grades today.

“Due to the many changes we’ve had to make this year in exceptional circumstances, you’ve had to make many sacrifices.

“But you have every reason to be proud of all the work you’ve done, which will serve you well, and proud of the determination you have shown to overcome this challenging time.  

“As announced yesterday, we have guaranteed that a learner’s final A Level grade cannot be lower than their AS grade. Students in Wales, and prospective employers and universities across the UK, can be assured that their A Level grades reflect their work and externally assessed exams.

“I hope you get the grades you’d hoped for, and you can continue with your educational journey in the autumn. Although many of you will be pleased with your results and excited for your next step, if you didn’t get what you’d hoped, there’s plenty of options & advice on Working Wales.

“Best of luck, and best wishes for the future.”