Official Statistics

Perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

Results of a survey of heads of schools, teachers, general public, parents, students, employers and higher education institutions in England.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 14 May 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

Ref: Ofqual/26/7324/1

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Perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

Ref: Ofqual/26/7324/1

PDF, 3.79 MB, 126 pages

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Background information for perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

Ref: Ofqual/26/7324/2

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Background information for perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

Ref: Ofqual/26/7324/2

PDF, 761 KB, 38 pages

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Pre-release access list for perceptions of A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications: wave 23

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Details

Main findings

Overall confidence in GCSE, A level, and Applied General qualifications

1. Overall composite confidence in GCSEs increased compared to wave 22 because of small increases across all stakeholder groups. Employers continued to see small increases in confidence wave on wave, leading to composite confidence in wave 23 being significantly higher than in wave 20.
2. In wave 23, overall composite confidence in A levels remained consistent with wave 22, despite small decreases measured across most stakeholders. Both parents and young people showed declining composite confidence, bringing their levels back in line with wave 21.
3. Composite confidence in Applied General qualifications in wave 23 was generally consistent with wave 22. Composite confidence in Applied General qualifications increased among young people compared to wave 22, reversing the decline measured for this group last wave.

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Published 14 May 2026