TEENAGERS achieved record results in their A-levels again this year as the national pass rate soared above 97% for the first time.
The proportion of pupils awarded A grades also rose again, with more than one in four gaining the top marks.
But predictions that the number of A grades would hit 26% were just wide of the mark. The number of exams awarded A was 25.9%, up from 25.3% last year.
Figures from the exam boards show traditional subjects are still firm favourites, with English and maths the top choices.
And pupils are once again taking greater interest in science, with increased entries in all three areas, biology, chemistry and physics.
Chemistry was the favourite science, the eighth most popular choice of subjects among sixth-formers.
Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, which published the results today, said they were excellent and congratulated students on their achievements.
He added: “This has to be a day for celebration.”
