By Shayan Shakir
Even after implementing what has been described as tougher exams, GCSE grades seem to be on the rise as this year 20.7 per cent of all exams were given grades 7,8 or 9.
The Joint Council for Qualifications’ records began in 2002, when 16.2 per cent of the exams that were graded, received an A or A*. This then rose to 20.3 per cent by 2016.Â
Along with this, even the overall pass rate has edged up to 67.3%, which is 0.4% up from last year.
It is believed that this rise could have occurred due to the warnings given to students about the GCSEs having been toughened up.
Reports say that this year 837 students were awarded seven grade 9s, compared with last year where the number was 732. Of the students that had taken exams for modern languages such as Italian, Polish, Chinese etc, 32.2 per cent received a grade 9.
