Record numbers pass GCSEs

A record number of students are celebrating today (August 24th) after passing their GCSEs.

Overall, 69.1 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to C passes - an increase of two per cent compared to last year.

A* or A grades were awarded in 22.6 per cent of exams.

Figures show that an increasing number of pupils are opting to study science subjects.

Biology entries rose by 28.3 per cent, while demand for chemistry and physics increased by 32 per cent.

However, modern languages are proving less popular, with 5.9 per cent fewer people taking GCSE French compared to 2009.

Andrew Hall of the AQA exam board told the Guardian that it was a "great day for the sciences but a sad one for languages".

Figures show that overall girls outperformed boys this year, with 72.6 per cent obtaining five A* to C passes, compared to 65.4 per cent of boys.
 



Published On 24/08/2010