• Thursday 19 August 2010
• posted by Sophie Hines
• Comments

So here we are. Another A-level results day, another emotional rollercoaster for all students involved (not to mention their poor mothers). Those nerves that have been building up since the exams ended have finally dissipated into either squealing jubilation or panic and tears.

For those who've done well, the day will comprise of hysterical phone calls to relatives and some serious post-results partying. Those who missed their grades, on the other hand, will be getting to grips with clearing and making some big decisions about their next step. All this will be documented in various national newspapers, generally accompanied by pictures of pretty girls hugging each other and jumping around with their results papers.

These things never change. What does make this year exceptional, however, is the sheer amount of pressure A-level students have been under. Even before results were out the press was reporting less university places than ever, with fewer people expected to get onto their course having just missed the grade and a massive reduction in the number of clearing places. 

Hertfordshire University, for example, said it would have fewer than 100 clearing places this year, compared to more than 1,000 last summer. Altogether UCAS have said there are 18,500 courses with vacancies this year - a dramatic drop from last year's 32,000. 

This year's results day also stands out for another reason: the introduction of A* grades, requiring students to get 90% in their A2 modules. Although most universities have decided against asking for the A* grade this year, some, such as UCL and Cambridge, have decided to use it as a means of selecting the brightest students amongst intense competition. 

While some of the most intelligent candidates could previously gain A grades without a huge amount of effort, they're no doubt feeling the pressure now, with demands for 90% leaving little room for 'off days'. 

It's not all doom and gloom though. 8.1% of exam entries have achieved an A*, indicating that it's certainly not an impossible proposition, while the overall pass-rate has climbed for the 28th year in the row, with 97.6% of A-levels now graded A* to E. 

No doubt this figure will result in the usual 'dumbing down of A-levels' debate, with claims that too many people are achieving the top grades. However, Emrys Barnes, who has just won a place to study drama at Warwick argues 'It's easier to get higher grades, that's true, but uni's are asking for higher grades now to compensate, so really it's the same'.

Fellow student Sian Lewis, who will be studying medicine in Brighton next year, added that people felt like they had 'one shot to get in' when faced with cuts and the prospect of increased grade demands next year.

Both achieved two A*s and an A, but while Sian is critical of the new grading system because 'it devalues the A grade', Emrys sees the positive: 'It's something extra to gloat over!' As for his friends who didn't get in 'It sucks, but it's not the end of the world. Some are re-applying next year, resitting or going through clearing. And they're making the most of the time in between'.