More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are learning their A-level and AS-level exam grades.
More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are learning their A-level and AS-level exam grades.
The pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded A grades are expected to have risen for the 26th year.
The pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded A grades are expected to have risen for the 26th year.
University applications body Ucas said the "inevitable" claims about exam standards should not be allowed to detract from the hard work of students.
University applications body Ucas said the "inevitable" claims about exam standards should not be allowed to detract from the hard work of students.
Some students will be awarded a new qualification as part of a pilot aimed at stretching the brightest.
Some students will be awarded a new qualification as part of a pilot aimed at stretching the brightest.
The "extended project" is worth the equivalent of half an A-level and more than 1,400 students have been involved in a pilot with exam boards.
The "extended project" is worth the equivalent of half an A-level and more than 1,400 students have been involved in a pilot with exam boards.
From this September, the qualification will be open to sixth-formers and college students generally.
From this September, the qualification will be open to sixth-formers and college students generally.
Rising pass rate
Rising pass rate
And students starting A-level courses in September will become the first to be eligible for the new A* grade when they are awarded to those attaining more than 90% in 2010.
And students starting A-level courses in September will become the first to be eligible for the new A* grade when they are awarded to those attaining more than 90% in 2010.
The change followed criticism that the rise in the number of A grades at A-level meant universities could no longer spot the brightest students.
The change followed criticism that the rise in the number of A grades at A-level meant universities could no longer spot the brightest students.
Last year, 25.3% of A-level entries in the UK were awarded an A grade, with 96.9% of entries graded from A to E (pass).
Last year, 25.3% of A-level entries in the UK were awarded an A grade, with 96.9% of entries graded from A to E (pass).
Anthony McClaran, chief executive of Ucas, the body which handles undergraduate applications to UK universities, said: "As with every year, some people will inevitably claim that A-levels are getting easier but we shouldn't really take away from the hard work of those students who have done well in their results today.
Anthony McClaran, chief executive of Ucas, the body which handles undergraduate applications to UK universities, said: "As with every year, some people will inevitably claim that A-levels are getting easier but we shouldn't really take away from the hard work of those students who have done well in their results today.
"It is difficult to compare the A-levels of today with those of 40 years ago as the world is quite a different place.
"It is difficult to compare the A-levels of today with those of 40 years ago as the world is quite a different place.
"Many world records are being broken at the Olympics but that doesn't make the feat easier or the distances shorter."
"Many world records are being broken at the Olympics but that doesn't make the feat easier or the distances shorter."
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, said it expected the results to show the same year on year overall progress which had been the hallmark of recent years.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, said it expected the results to show the same year on year overall progress which had been the hallmark of recent years.
"No doubt the annual debate will surface once again about whether the exams are too easy or have been 'dumbed down' or whether the education system is failing," she said.
"No doubt the annual debate will surface once again about whether the exams are too easy or have been 'dumbed down' or whether the education system is failing," she said.
Principal and headteacher discuss the difficulty of exams
Melvyn Roffe, Principal of Wymondham College, Norfolk, and Steven Poole, Headteacher of Hinchley Wood School, Surrey, debate the issues.
"None of this, however, should be allowed to detract or distract from the years of hard work pupils and teachers have invested in preparing for these examinations."
"None of this, however, should be allowed to detract or distract from the years of hard work pupils and teachers have invested in preparing for these examinations."
The results statistics released on Thursday relate to exam entries, not students. The school-by-school breakdown - the "league tables" - is due to be published in January.
The results statistics released on Thursday relate to exam entries, not students. The school-by-school breakdown - the "league tables" - is due to be published in January.
Deprived areas
Deprived areas
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have highlighted wide differences in the numbers of students taking A-levels across England.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have highlighted wide differences in the numbers of students taking A-levels across England.
In some deprived areas, they said, only one in eight GCSE students goes on to study A-levels - well below the national average of 44%.
In some deprived areas, they said, only one in eight GCSE students goes on to study A-levels - well below the national average of 44%.
They analysed 2007 A-level entries and 2005 GCSE entries by local authority.
They analysed 2007 A-level entries and 2005 GCSE entries by local authority.
In 11 local authorities, under a quarter of children sat A-levels, while in Rochdale, Knowsley and Sandwell, the figure was one in eight or lower.
In 11 local authorities, under a quarter of children sat A-levels, while in Rochdale, Knowsley and Sandwell, the figure was one in eight or lower.
Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "People will be shocked to see that there are areas of the country where fewer than one in eight children sit A-levels. As ever, it is the poorest areas that are worst affected."
Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "People will be shocked to see that there are areas of the country where fewer than one in eight children sit A-levels. As ever, it is the poorest areas that are worst affected."
The Westminster government seized on caveats which the Tories acknowledged in the way the figures were compiled.
The Westminster government seized on caveats which the Tories acknowledged in the way the figures were compiled.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This back-of-a-fag-packet maths adds nothing to the picture on A-levels and completely ignores the fact that many youngsters travel between boroughs to do their A-levels, do other qualifications or work-based training or apprenticeships.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This back-of-a-fag-packet maths adds nothing to the picture on A-levels and completely ignores the fact that many youngsters travel between boroughs to do their A-levels, do other qualifications or work-based training or apprenticeships.
"For example, according to these flawed figures, Kensington and Chelsea apparently has 193% of their pupils studying A-levels. All this shows is that some boroughs have lots of pupils travelling to do their A-levels, which is very common.
"For example, according to these flawed figures, Kensington and Chelsea apparently has 193% of their pupils studying A-levels. All this shows is that some boroughs have lots of pupils travelling to do their A-levels, which is very common.
"The fact is more young people are staying on in education than ever before.
"The fact is more young people are staying on in education than ever before.
"Rather than painting a picture of doom and gloom, the Tories should be preparing to congratulate pupils on their hard work."
"Rather than painting a picture of doom and gloom, the Tories should be preparing to congratulate pupils on their hard work."
A similar methodology is however used in official school performance statistics in Scotland.
A similar methodology is however used in official school performance statistics in Scotland.
The figure for pupils achieving Highers in S5 is given not as a proportion of those who attempted them but of those who originally began the fourth year - resulting in some cases in achievement rates of more than 100%.
The figure for pupils achieving Highers in S5 is given not as a proportion of those who attempted them but of those who originally began the fourth year - resulting in some cases in achievement rates of more than 100%.
Are you getting your results today? Have you been involved in an "extended project"? Do you work with A-level students? Are you a mature student expecting your results?
Are you getting your results today? Have you been involved in an "extended project"? Do you work with A-level students? Are you a mature student expecting your results?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
