Family and education correspondent, Wales
Adrian and Łukasz KolmanThousands of A-level and AS students across Wales are set to find out their results on Thursday morning, following a drop in top grades in 2024.
Last year most extra support measures for students were dropped as part of a move away from previous changes to exams to reflect the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2024, 29.9% of pupils got A* and A grades, down from 34% in 2023, but ministers said that was to be expected.
Results can be shared with students from 08:00 BST, but arrangements vary depending on the school or college.
Results for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and some vocational qualifications, including BTecs, will also be released on Thursday.
Many students will need confirmation of grades to secure university offers and can usually get updated information about their places from 08:00.
Getty ImagesIdentical twins Adrian and Łukasz Kolman from Newport have always had similar interests – taking the same A-level subjects and studying together for exams.
Now they are both waiting for results in maths, further maths, computer science and physics.
The exams were “stressful”, according to Adrian.
“We were studying the same things so at least we had each other to help out on what we didn’t know and what we didn’t understand sometimes.”
Ahead of results Łukasz said he felt “nervous but also kind of excited”.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what I get but also I need to make sure that I have the results I need for my university,” he added.
Both have been offered places to study electronics and electrical engineering – Adrian at Bristol University and Łukasz a short distance away at Bath University.
“We spend a lot of time together since we’ve shared the same room for all our lives pretty much. It’s nice to go out there and be a bit more individual,” said Łukasz.
Ngaire GapeSome BTec students will also get confirmation of their final results – though some have already been published, depending on the course.
Ngaire Gape, 19, from Cardiff, already has a clear idea of how she has done in her art and design BTec, and has secured a place to study performance design at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
She said she enjoyed studying the more practical, coursework-based qualification.
“I’ve really thrived with being able to do a BTec and it’s let me explore things that I don’t think I would have if I’d stayed on in school,” Ngaire said.
She is now looking forward to her degree which will include working on set costumes, props and puppetry.
After disruption to exams due to Covid, lasting until 2024 when all extra support measures were dropped, Qualifications Wales kept a “safety net” when setting grade boundaries if performance in a subject was far lower than pre-pandemic levels.
This year, that has been removed and grade boundaries in some subjects are likely to be higher.
The exams watchdog has said “outcomes should be broadly similar” to those before the pandemic, if performance continues to improve after the disruption caused by Covid.
The head of Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) has said a record number of 18-year-olds are likely to get in to their first choice of university this year, even if they narrowly miss their grades.
Dr Jo Saxton said universities were keen to enrol UK undergraduates because there was more “uncertainty” around international student numbers.
The clearing process, offering places on courses which still have space, is also available for students who do not get their grades or who change their minds.
The latest Ucas data said 32.5% of Welsh 18-year-olds had applied to university by the end of June, compared to 41.2% across the UK.
On a visit to engineering and manufacturing company Boccard on Deeside, Wales’ Skills Minister Jack Sargeant spoke to apprentices about other education routes.
Beau Tattersall, 19, said he started his apprenticeship “with no experience at all”.
“I’ve been learning to weld and fabricate and everything I need to do in a workshop.
“I did two years in college back in Pembrokeshire but I decided I wanted to be earning and learning at the same time so that’s why I went for apprenticeship. It’s going really well,” he said.
Lawrence Coleman, 20, said there had already been “a few stressful moments” in his career so far.
“This wasn’t actually my first option… but I came through and ended up signing up in college. You’ve got to have an open mind to it all.”
Careers Wales said there were plenty of options available to young people who may be unsure about what to do next.
Adviser Catrin Owen said alternatives to university were to “take a break, go into work or you can look at things like apprenticeships”.
She added: “We are seeing more higher level apprenticeships now – degree-level apprenticeships, which are great options for some young people.
“It’s really important that you sit down with a professional who can go through everything with you to make sure you’re making the best decision that suits you.”
