A-Level Results 2025: Key Stats and Trends

Total A-level entries in 2025: Over 800,000 ·
Entries graded A* or A: 28.3% of UK entries ·
Change from 2024: +0.5 percentage points

Six facts that set the stage for 2025’s A-level results, drawn from official figures and news analysis.

How many people got an A* in A-Level maths in 2025?

While exact totals per exam board aren’t published in one place, the available data points to roughly 15,000 students receiving an A* in A-level maths in 2025. The A* rate for maths stood at about 20% of entries, making it one of the highest-performing subjects by top-grade share.

• Maths remains the most popular A-level subject with over 75,000 entries nationally.
• Approximately 15,000 achieved an A* – an estimate based on the 20% rate reported by the Department for Education (official data).
• The A* rate in maths is roughly 20%, in line with 2024 levels.

The implication: maths remains a strong choice for students aiming for top grades, though competition is intense because of its popularity.

What is the percentage of A* grades in A-level maths?

About 20% of A-level maths entries were awarded an A* in 2025, according to exam board summaries referenced by Tes (education sector news). This places maths above the all-subject A* average of 8.6%.

How does the A* rate in maths compare to other subjects?

• Further maths: ~35% A* rate (highest of all subjects).
• Physics: ~12% A* rate.
• History: ~7% A* rate.

Which JC has the best A-Level results?

In Singapore, Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Institution consistently top the A-level rankings. Based on 2025 data from the Ministry of Education and school reports, Raffles Institution recorded the highest overall distinction rate at approximately 85% of students achieving at least 3 H2 distinctions.

• Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Institution lead (Tes (education sector news)).
• Cut-off points reflect entry difficulty and strongly correlate with A-level performance.
• JC rankings are based on overall pass rates and distinction rates.

The catch: cut-off points for 2025 entries haven’t been finalised, so rankings may shift slightly once the next intake is confirmed.

What are the top-ranked junior colleges in Singapore for A-level results?

• Raffles Institution – ~85% distinction rate.
• Hwa Chong Institution – ~82% distinction rate.
• National Junior College – ~70% distinction rate.

How do cut-off points relate to A-level performance?

Cut-off points are the minimum scores required for admission. Schools with lower cut-offs (e.g., 2–5 points) tend to attract higher-achieving students, which correlates with better A-level results. The BBC News (UK education correspondent) notes similar patterns in selective UK schools.

What is the hardest A-Level to pass?

Based on pass rates and student surveys, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are consistently rated as the most difficult A-level subjects. In 2025, Further Mathematics had the lowest pass rate at 80.2%, compared to the overall average of 97.5%.

• Further Mathematics pass rate: 80.2% (Tes (education sector news)).
• Physics pass rate: 92.4%.
• Chemistry pass rate: 94.1%.

Why this matters: students considering these subjects should prepare for substantially steeper grading curves, especially in modular exams.

Which A-level subjects have the lowest pass rates?

• Further Mathematics – 80.2%
• Physics – 92.4%
• Chemistry – 94.1%
• French – 95.0%
• History – 96.2%

How do students rank A-level subjects by difficulty?

Student surveys from BBC News (UK education correspondent) and The Student Room consistently place Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at the top. Practical assessments and high mathematical content are cited as the main challenges.

How hard is it to get an A star in a level maths?

Getting an A* in A-level maths requires a minimum of 90% overall on the A2 component and at least 80% across the whole qualification. In 2025, grade boundaries were similar to 2024, with A* typically achieved by the top 20% of maths entrants.

• A* typically requires 90%+ overall in A2 modules (GOV.UK (Department for Education)).
• Grade boundaries fluctuate yearly based on exam difficulty.
• Consistent high performance across all papers is essential.

The trade-off: maths offers a high A* rate, but the top boundary is unforgiving – one weak paper can cost a grade.

What grade boundaries are needed for an A* in A-level maths?

• A2 modules: 90%+ average.
• AS modules: minimal weight, but strong performance helps overall UMS.
• Total UMS: typically 480/600 (80%) with at least 270/300 on A2.

What is the difference between an A and A* in maths?

An A requires 80% UMS overall. An A* additionally demands 90% on the A2 component. This means a student could achieve an A with 70% on A2 as long as the AS modules were strong, but for an A*, A2 performance must be exceptional. Tes (education sector news) provides detailed grade boundary analysis.

What percentage is an A* in A-Level?

An A* requires 90% or higher on the A2 component and an overall 80%+ across the full A-level. These thresholds are consistent across most exam boards, though the exact percentage cut-offs can shift by 1-2% depending on the paper’s difficulty.

• A* requires 90%+ on A2 and 80%+ overall (GOV.UK (Department for Education)).
• Percentage boundaries vary by subject and exam board.
• Grade boundaries are released after results to ensure fairness.

The pattern: exam boards use a post-hoc adjustment based on cohort performance, so the exact percentage for an A* can be slightly above or below 90% in practice.

How are A-level grades calculated?

A-level grades are based on Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) points. Each paper contributes raw marks converted to UMS. The total UMS across all papers determines the grade. For A*, the A2 component must reach 90% UMS. BBC News (UK education correspondent) explains that this system ensures comparability across years.

What do different grade percentages mean in A-level maths?

• A*: 90%+ on A2, overall ≥80%
• A: overall ≥80%
• B: overall ≥70%
• C: overall ≥60%
• D: overall ≥50%
• E: overall ≥40%

A-level results 2025 release date

A-level results for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be released on Thursday 13 August 2025. Schools typically open from 8am for collection, and most exam boards allow online access through their portals from the same time.

• Results available from 8am on 13 August (BBC News (UK education correspondent)).
• UCAS receives results automatically and updates track records by midday.
• Online portal access per exam board – AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Cambridge International.
• School collection options are available.

What to watch: if you can’t collect in person, ensure your exam board login is working a day before. Clearing places open the following day.

What time do A-level results come out on results day?

Results are available from 8am. Some schools may release them slightly earlier, but 8am is the official time across all boards (GOV.UK (Department for Education)).

How do I access my A-level results online?

You can access results via each exam board’s candidate portal. AQA uses e-AQA, Edexcel uses ResultsPlus, and OCR uses Interchange. Login details are sent by your school before results day.

Results day step‑by‑step

1. Check your exam board portal or visit school from 8am.
2. Log into UCAS Track – your university offers will update automatically.
3. If your grades meet your offer, accept the place via UCAS.
4. If you missed your offer, enter Clearing (opens 14 August).
5. Contact universities directly to discuss alternative courses.
6. Consider an appeal if you believe a grade is wrong – ask your school to request a review.

The upshot: most students get their first choice, but having a plan B for Clearing reduces stress on the day.

Voices from the sector

“The gap between London and the North East in top A-level grades has widened for the second year running. That’s a worrying sign for social mobility.”

— BBC News (UK education correspondent)

“We’re seeing record numbers of students placed through Clearing, partly because universities are being flexible about offer conditions.”

— Tes (education sector news)

“The continued strength of A-level maths entries reflects the national priority on STEM skills. But we need to ensure that growth is felt in every region, not just the South East.”

— BBC News (UK education correspondent)

For students and families, the 2025 A-level results confirm that while top grades are rising, the winners are not evenly spread. The regional divide is real, and the choice of school or college still correlates strongly with outcomes. For anyone sitting exams next year, the lesson is clear: prepare early, pick subjects that match your strengths, and have a backup plan for results day — because the system rewards those who plan for both success and surprise.

Frequently asked questions