Bumper year for top grades predicted

A-level results next week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could see high levels of top grades, according to an annual analysis of exam trends.

Prof Alan Smithers, at the University of Buckingham, is predicting a "bumper crop" of A* and A grades, in results for exams cancelled by the pandemic.

But he warns against allowing "grade inflation" to become the norm.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is also reporting early signs that it could be a "record year for grades".

There have been suggestions that if more pupils receive high grades - which are being submitted by teachers for a second year in a row - there will be a crush for places at the most sought-after universities and courses.

There is also pressure from record numbers applying, with more than 680,000 seeking university places.

Prof Smithers said some universities could consider introducing their own exams to help them choose between students.

Grade inflation is likely to occur for a number of reasons. ... But with no exams taking place, the teacher cannot predict who would get the grade and who would miss out. In such circumstances, the teacher was entitled to “submit a grade 9 for all of them”.