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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Murray

Fail grades predicted to rise as GCSEs return to pre-pandemic levels

GCSE Alan Smirs Pandemic
Students sitting exams
GCSE grades are expected to move back to around halfway between those of 2021 and 2019, which will mean disappointment for many. Photograph: David Jones/PA

More pupils will fail their GCSEs this year and top grades are expected to fall as results return to pre-pandemic levels, an education expert has predicted.

There could be 230,000 fewer top grades in the UK compared with 2021, but 230,000 more than 2019, according to Prof Alan Smithers, director of the centre for education and employment research at the University of Buckingham.

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