Almost half of candidates who sat their English GCSE exam in November achieved at least a grade 4, new data has revealed.
The results, published this morning by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), show that more than 49 per cent achieved that crucial mark - while in maths, 34.9 per cent passed with a grade 4.
The JCQ stresses that the results remain provisional at this point, and that the different candidate profile compared with previous years means the data cannot be compared to 2019, when significantly fewer resit students achieved a grade 4 in English and maths in November.
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Following the cancellation of the summer exam series last year, students unhappy with their centre-assessed grades were able to opt to sit the exam in November.
While the November exam series normally only includes English and maths exams for post-16 students who have not previously achieved a grade 4, under-16s were able to enter this year. As a result, the number of entries in GCSE English language and maths exams rose by 20 per cent, compared with the 2019 November series.
According to statistics on the November exam series, published by Ofqual, there were 72,115 entries in GCSE mathematics in November 2020, compared with 55,955 entries in November 2019 - an increase of 29 per cent. Entries in English language increased to 59,185, representing an 11 per cent increase on 2019.
Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said: “Students receiving their GCSE English language and maths results should feel incredibly proud of what they have achieved. They have shown a huge amount of resilience and dedication to their studies, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“I also want to thank the teachers and support staff who worked to make the autumn exam series possible, giving every student the opportunity to improve their grade.”
