Summer 2026 Equalities Analysis: GCSE, AS and A level
This release presents an analysis of GCSE, AS and A level results for specific groups of learners
Key Points:
16-year-olds taking GCSEs
In summer 2026, 22.8% of GCSE grades awarded to female learners were grade A/7 or above, compared to 16.2% for male learners. 66.8% of grades awarded to female learners were C/4 or above, compared to 59.7% for male learners.
For learners eligible for free school meals, 6.9% of grades awarded in summer 2026 were A/7 or above and 39.4% were C/4 or above. For learners not eligible, 21.7% of grades were A/7 or above and 67.4% were C/4 or above.
5.5% of grades awarded to learners with an ALN/SEN provision were A/7 or above, compared to 20.2% of grades awarded to learners with no provision. The proportion of grades awarded at grade C/4 or above was 29.2% for learners with an ALN/SEN provision and 64.9% for learners with no provision.
Attainment gaps vary by subject, and changes in attainment gaps over time show different patterns for different subjects and grade thresholds.
Compared to other groups, learners in the “Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh” ethnic group achieved the highest results at all key grade thresholds in summer 2026.
18-year-olds taking A levels and 17-year olds taking AS levels
In summer 2026, the attainment gaps in top grades achieved at AS and A level between learners in the most and least deprived areas were wider than in summer 2025.
More information about results by pupil characteristics can be found in the Examination Results release published by the Welsh Government.
Previous releases
Summer 2025 Equalities Analysis: GCSE, AS and A level
Summer 2024 Equalities Analysis: GCSE, AS and A level
Summer 2023 Equalities Analysis: GCSE, AS and A level
Summer 2022 Equalities Analysis: GCSE, AS and A level
Contact
We welcome any feedback on these statistics.
Statistician
Tel: 01633 373 292
Email: statistics@qualifications.wales
Press
Tel: 01633 373 222
Email: media@qualifications.wales