The number of students taking UK-based A-Levels and English Language GCSEs has hit a record high during the COVID-19 pandemic, new data shows.
The data, from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), shows that the number of A-Level entries in the UK increased by 3.2% to 837,166 in 2022, while the number of GCSE English Language entries increased by 1.2% to 622,999.
The increase in the number of students taking A-Levels is likely due to the fact that many schools and colleges switched to remote learning during the pandemic, which made it easier for students to study for their exams.
The increase in the number of students taking GCSE English Language is likely due to the fact that English Language is a compulsory subject for all students in the UK, and many schools and colleges decided to offer additional support to students taking the exam.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students achieving A*-C grades in A-Levels increased by 1.1% to 76.3%, while the number of students achieving A*-C grades in GCSE English Language increased by 0.4% to 66.4%.
The increase in the number of students achieving good grades is likely due to the fact that many schools and colleges provided additional support to students during the pandemic, such as online tutoring and remote learning.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking A-Levels in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects has increased by 3.5% to 417,582.
The increase in the number of students taking STEM subjects is likely due to the fact that there is a growing demand for STEM skills in the workplace.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking A-Levels in creative and performing arts subjects has decreased by 1.2% to 122,789.
The decrease in the number of students taking creative and performing arts subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as academically rigorous as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking A-Levels in modern foreign languages has decreased by 0.8% to 152,501.
The decrease in the number of students taking modern foreign languages is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as useful in the workplace as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking A-Levels in classical subjects has decreased by 2.6% to 40,438.
The decrease in the number of students taking classical subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as relevant to the modern world as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking A-Levels in other subjects has increased by 2.2% to 69,016.
The increase in the number of students taking other subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are seen as being more relevant to the modern world than classical subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects has increased by 2.6% to 560,492.
The increase in the number of students taking STEM subjects is likely due to the fact that there is a growing demand for STEM skills in the workplace.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in creative and performing arts subjects has decreased by 0.9% to 226,082.
The decrease in the number of students taking creative and performing arts subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as academically rigorous as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in modern foreign languages has decreased by 1.2% to 286,987.
The decrease in the number of students taking modern foreign languages is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as useful in the workplace as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in classical subjects has decreased by 3.2% to 105,348.
The decrease in the number of students taking classical subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are not seen as being as relevant to the modern world as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in other subjects has increased by 1.8% to 174,181.
The increase in the number of students taking other subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are seen as being more relevant to the modern world than classical subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in English Literature has increased by 0.7% to 277,340.
The increase in the number of students taking GCSEs in English Literature is likely due to the fact that this subject is seen as being important for developing literacy skills.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in Mathematics has increased by 1.1% to 550,903.
The increase in the number of students taking GCSEs in Mathematics is likely due to the fact that this subject is seen as being important for developing numeracy skills.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in Science has increased by 1.3% to 540,492.
The increase in the number of students taking GCSEs in Science is likely due to the fact that this subject is seen as being important for developing scientific literacy skills.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in History has decreased by 1.2% to 286,987.
The decrease in the number of students taking GCSEs in History is likely due to the fact that this subject is not seen as being as relevant to the modern world as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in Geography has decreased by 1.5% to 262,054.
The decrease in the number of students taking GCSEs in Geography is likely due to the fact that this subject is not seen as being as relevant to the modern world as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in Religious Studies has decreased by 2.1% to 248,562.
The decrease in the number of students taking GCSEs in Religious Studies is likely due to the fact that this subject is not seen as being as relevant to the modern world as STEM subjects.
The JCQ data also shows that the number of students taking GCSEs in other subjects has increased by 1.2% to 174,181.
The increase in the number of students taking GCSEs in other subjects is likely due to the fact that these subjects are seen as being more relevant to the modern world than traditional academic subjects..
