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Top A-level grade improvement hope in Wales Numbers getting top A-level grades improves in Wales
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of students in Wales are anxiously waiting for their A-level results, with hopes of an improvement in the very top grades. The percentage of Welsh students achieving the highest A-level grades has risen for the first time in five years, but the overall pass rate fell.
Last year, the percentage of Welsh pupils receiving the highest A-level grades fell for the fourth year in a row. The number of pupils who gained A* grades is up from 6% in 2013 to 6.7% - the highest since the grade was introduced in 2010.
Education Minister Huw Lewis suggested high achievers could be stretched more. But the proportion of students achieving A* to E grades fell slightly from 97.6% to 97.5%.
Meanwhile, the eight Welsh universities said they all have some places left to fill through the clearing system. Education Minister Huw Lewis said Welsh students had "done us proud".
In 2013, a rise in the overall pass rate for Welsh students was welcomed, but those achieving A* and A grades was below the UK average and has been decreasing. The number of students gaining A* and A grades has also increased from 22.9% in 2013 to 23.3% in 2014, ending four years of steady decline.
Back in 2009, 25% of pupils got an A or an A* but that has been going down ever since. Girls continued to outperform boys in Wales, apart from at the highest A* grade.
Education standards body Estyn has shared Mr Lewis's concern about the best pupils not being pushed enough. Joining students collecting results at Gower College, Swansea, Mr Lewis said: "Once again our students have done us proud."
Girls continued to outperform boys in 2013 and the pass rate for A and A* grades in Wales at 22.9% was lower than the average for all A-level students across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, which was 26.3%. "I was very pleased to see the progress our students are making in achieving the higher grades, particularly in key subjects such as physics, history and chemistry which all showed improved A* and A pass rates compared to last year.
"Our performance at A* to C for mathematics, chemistry and history also compares favourably with other parts of the UK and performance at English at A* to C has made great strides.
"These subjects are important for our economy and will stand students in good stead for the future."
Analysis by education correspondent Arwyn JonesAnalysis by education correspondent Arwyn Jones
For the vast majority of students it will be a time to celebrate, even if it does mean a few frantic phone calls for some to get on the course they want.For the vast majority of students it will be a time to celebrate, even if it does mean a few frantic phone calls for some to get on the course they want.
And on that front there's good news. As the higher education sector becomes more and more competitive, universities will be keen to get bums on seats. The advice is phone them, and phone them early. And on that front there's good news. As the higher education sector becomes more and more competitive, universities will be keen to attract students. The advice is phone them, and phone them early.
But on a Wales-wide basis, today will be a chance to see if we've closed the gap between the rest of the UK, especially when it comes to the top grades. The low numbers getting the top grades in Wales has been a cause for concern for a number of years.
Today's results show that the numbers getting either As or A*s has gone up for the first time in five years, although it's still lower than two years ago.
In Wales, thousands of pupils will also be getting their Welsh Baccalaureate qualifications (WBQ).In Wales, thousands of pupils will also be getting their Welsh Baccalaureate qualifications (WBQ).
The numbers studying for the WBQ has steadily increased over the past few years, as it has been rolled out across Wales. The numbers studying for the WBQ has steadily increased over the past few years as it has been rolled out across Wales.
At the moment it is a simple pass or fail, and there are concerns that some universities have been more willing than others to accept a pass as being equivalent to an A-level A grade. Currently it is a simple pass or fail, but there are concerns that some universities have been more willing than others to accept a pass as being equivalent to an A-level A grade.
However, that might change as the WBQ will be graded in two-years time from an A star to a C. However that could change as the WBQ will be graded in two-years time from an A* to a C.
CLEARING DETAILSCLEARING DETAILS
Are you getting your A-level results today? Send your pictures and results to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk or Tweet us @BBCWalesNews. Are you getting your A-level results today? Send your pictures and reaction to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk or Tweet us @BBCWalesNews