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The percentage of GCSE entries achieving top grades has seen a slight increase from last year, however, fewer entries managed to secure a decent pass this year, according to national statistics.

Pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their exam results on Thursday, aiding their progression to sixth form, college or training.

Over a fifth (21.9%) of UK entries were awarded the highest grades - at least a 7 or an A grade - this year, marking a 0.1 percentage point rise from last year's 21.8%.

This figure surpasses that of 2019, the final year before the pandemic, when 20.8% of entries achieved the top grades.

These statistics, released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), encompass GCSE entries from students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The proportion of entries receiving at least a 4 or a C grade - deemed a "standard pass" - has dipped from 67.6% in 2024 to 67.4% this year - a decrease of 0.2 percentage points, but still higher than the 67.3% in 2019.

The disparity between girls and boys achieving the top grades is currently at its smallest this century.

Almost a quarter (24.5%) of girls' GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade 7/A compared to nearly a fifth of boys' entries (19.4%) - a 5.1 percentage point gap.

This represents the narrowest lead held by girls since at least 2000, the earliest year for which archive data is available.

In addition, 70.5% of girls' GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade 4/C compared to 64.3% of boys' entries - a 6.2 percentage point gap.

The overall rate for grades 1/G or above stands at 97.9%, matching 2024 but falling from 98.3% in 2019.

Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual, England's examinations watchdog, declared this year's GCSE results "stable" compared to the previous two years - when marking returned to pre-pandemic standards in England.

He described this year's differences as "natural variation" that would be expected between any academic year.

Sir Ian told the PA news agency: "The standard of work required to achieve a grade seven or a grade four at GCSE is the same this year as it was last year, and what we're seeing is statistically insignificant changes at those key grades from last year to this year.

"That means basically that the underlying pattern, the underlying standard of performance amongst students from last year to this year, is stable."

Regarding the gender gap, Sir Ian told PA: "What we see today in the results is a very small apparent narrowing of the gap in performance between boys and girls.

"It's important for people to understand that there is still a gap in the performance of boys and girls, but what we can say is that it doesn't appear to be growing at the moment."

In England, Ofqual restored GCSE grading standards to pre-Covid levels in 2023, whilst exam regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland reverted to pre-pandemic grading last year. The decision followed Covid-19's impact, which resulted in inflated top GCSE grades during 2020 and 2021, when results were determined by teacher assessments rather than examinations.

Numerous pupils receiving their GCSE results this summer were in Year 6 when schools shut due to the pandemic.

Educational leaders have cautioned that these students, who transitioned from primary to secondary education during the height of the pandemic, have encountered numerous obstacles - including school attendance difficulties and cost-of-living pressures.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated this group of students had demonstrated "remarkable resilience" despite the upheaval to their schooling.

Whilst conventional A*-G grades remain in use across Northern Ireland and Wales, England has adopted a 9-1 system, with 9 representing the top mark.

Grade 4 corresponds roughly to a C grade, whilst grade 7 equates approximately to an A.

Across England, numerous students failing to achieve at least grade 4 - deemed a "standard pass" - in English and/or maths GCSE must resit these subjects during post-16 studies.

Total UK GCSE entries have declined marginally - falling 0.4% compared to 2024, based on JCQ figures.

Analysis of the statistics reveals that whilst 16-year-olds continue to represent the overwhelming majority of GCSE candidates, entries from this demographic have dropped 1.4% compared to last year.

Entries from students aged 17 and above have surged 12.1% to 482,402 from 430,377 in 2024. Education chiefs are urging the Government to abandon its policy of mandatory resits in GCSE maths and English.

Jill Duffy, chief executive of OCR exam board, stated: "Nearly a quarter of GCSE maths and English entries are resits. This is an all-time high.

"Less than a fifth of resitting students achieved the grade 4 they need to break out of the resit cycle. This is a resit crisis.

"Tinkering at the edges of policy won't fix this. We need fundamental reform to maths and English secondary education - especially at Key Stage 3 - to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects.

"Boys are slowly catching up with girls, but the GCSE attainment gap remains significant."

In addition, over 360,500 Level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualification (VTQ) results have been awarded to pupils.