Latest updates from Ofqual
Recent news and key messages from Ofqual on regulated qualifications, examinations and assessments.
Applies to England
GCSE and level 1 and 2 results 2025 at a glance
More than 5.6 million GCSE results have been issued to students in England, along with more than 368,000 results for level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications taken alongside them.
This blog highlights some key facts and figures from this year’s GCSE and level 1 and 2 results.
Qualification results in England: summer 2025
We have updated our statistical release detailing results issued this summer, to include data for GCSE and level 1 and 2 results. It also shows data for AS and A levels, vocational and technical qualifications included in performance tables (applied generals, tech levels, technical awards and technical certificates), and the technical qualification (TQ) components of T Level qualifications.
GCSE results are ‘passports to opportunity’, says Chief Regulator
Sir Ian Bauckham said in a press release that the level 1 and 2 results demonstrate how England’s qualifications system prepares young people for future challenges and opportunities.
Infographics: Level 1/2 and GCSE results 2025
We have published infographics summarising the key trends from GCSE and level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualification results in summer 2025.
The National Reference Test in 2025
Since its introduction in 2017, National Foundation for Educational Research has been contracted by Ofqual to develop, deliver and analyse the results of the National Reference Test (NRT) in English and maths.
The NRT is administered annually and shows if student performance in English and maths at GCSE level has changed from year-to-year.
Find more information in the National Reference Test in 2025 results digest and the annual statement.
Level 3 results analysis: 2025 key trends and context for teachers
More than 850,000 A and AS level results have been issued to students in England today, along with just over 250,000 results for vocational and technical performance-table qualifications taken alongside them.
Find more on the 2025 context and key trends in our blog post
Ofqual Chief Regulator affirms rigorous grading standards
We have issued a press release as students receive level 3 and A level results. Ofqual’s Chief Regulator says students can have full confidence in the value of their grades.
Infographics: Level 3 and A level results 2025
We have published infographics summarising the key trends in A level and Level 3 vocational and technical qualification results in summer 2025.
Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges
Our Understanding grading toolkit is designed to explain how qualifications are graded. It has been produced with headteachers and teachers in mind but will help anyone with an interest in finding out more.
The toolkit answers some common questions about such topics as:
- how exam papers are marked
- how grade boundaries are set
- how the quality of a student’s work in their exams determines the grade they get
Ofqual student guide to exams and assessments in 2025
Ofqual has produced a guide providing students with information about arrangements for the qualifications we regulate. It explains what you need to know before, during and after your exams and assessments, with information about when you can expect your results and what you can do if you think there is a mistake in your results.
We have also published the Ofqual guide for schools and colleges, which explains what schools, colleges and other exam or assessment centres can expect from awarding organisations regulated by Ofqual and the arrangements for qualifications in 2025.
Replacement certificates
Ofqual does not hold copies of your certificates – we can’t tell you your grade or provide replacements. Certificates are held by the exam board you sat your qualification with. If you don’t know which exam board you took your qualification with, ask your school. If your school don’t know you will need to ask each exam board to do a search for you – they will charge you for this.
Contact your exam board to get a replacement certificate. If your exam board no longer exists, your certificates will have moved to an existing board. Find out who now holds your certificates.
Contact your exam board
Ofqual’s find a regulated awarding organisation service contains information and website links for all regulated awarding organisations.
Updates to this page
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Updated the page to include links to publications related to GCSE and level 1 and 2 results day.
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Added links to the statistical release, infographics, press release and blog post published by Ofqual today,
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Title of the page has been updated. Details explaining grading and a consultation on the regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment have been added.
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Added information about the publication 'Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges'.
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Added details of VTQ Information Hub 2024 to 2025
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Added information about, and links to, the Ofqual Student Guide to Exams and Assessments in 2025 and the Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2025. Also added details about exam, assessment and results scheduled for 2025.
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Updated to reflect the outcome of the consultation on provision of formulae and equation sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, and to remove references to the guides to the 2024 exam series.
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Added the proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs in 2025, 2026 and 2027 to the rolling update.
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Added information about GCSE results 2024, and Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 qualification results for vocational and technical qualifications 2024.
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Added information about A level results 2024 and Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications 2024.
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Added GCSE 9–1 grades to uni places: What you need to know about 2024 exam results and Grading continues as normal this summer in England. Removed links to older articles.
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Updated with details of the removal of the technical qualification accreditation requirement.
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Added links to an Ofqual blog about the start of the summer 2024 exam series and a reminder about the risks of malpractice. Removed links to articles abouts summer 2023 results.
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Added a link to a letter from the chief regulator to schools and colleges about the summer 2024 assessment series.
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Added details of Ofqual's VTQ information hub 2023 to 2024: key dates and deadlines
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Information has been added about the 2024 guides for students and for schools and colleges.
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Section added pointing users to new information about arrangements for vocational and technical qualification results delivery from 2024 onwards.
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Updated to remove information predating summer 2023 results.
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New section highlighting publication of guides and infographics about summer 2023 GCSE and Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 VTQ results.
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Information added about summer 2023 Level 3 results day.
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Updated to provide information on joint communications principles published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB). Removed section on review of Level 2 and Level 3 results delays, as this has been superseded by another update.
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Section added describing the new VTQ information hub for use by schools and colleges.
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Update added drawing attention to the publication of Ofqual's statement announcing new deadlines and other measures intended to ensure that awarding organisations issue complete and correct level 3 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) results to students in summer 2023.
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Updated to include guidance on industrial action
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Updated to include outcomes of consultations regarding MFL, formulae and equation sheets and resilience.
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Added information on 2023 grading and exam arrangements and updated information on 2022 Level 2 and Level 3 results. Removed information no longer immediately relevant to the rolling update including signposting to appeals information, guidance on producing accessible assessments.
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Information about the 2022 summer exam series has been removed as it is no longer relevant. Details about assessment arrangements for GCSE, A level and AS levels in 2023 have been added to the "Subject content and assessment arrangements: 2022 to 2023" section.
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Updated information regarding Level 3 BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results and Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualification results.
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Updated information regarding Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualification results & BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results.
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An updated statement on delayed BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results.
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Details regarding the delayed BTEC and Cambridge Technical results have been added, along with contact details for the relevant awarding organisations.
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Added information abour A level and GCSE results weeks in 2022.
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Removal of content related to exams and contingency arrangements, now that the 2022 exam summer series has been completed.
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Added update: "Checking exam papers"
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Added an advice note for students on fake exam papers offered on social media.
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Added information on plans for subject content and assessment arrangements next academic year, and on new guidance for awarding organisations on making their assessments accessible.
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Updated with additional information for teachers on collecting evidence for use in contingency arrangements.
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Added in links to this year's student guide to exams and assessments.
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Taking out information regarding the autumn series results days for GCSEs and A levels, which have now passed.
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Added information about the support measures available to students taking GCSEs, AS and A levels this year.
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Added information on special consideration for Applied Generals, Tech Awards, Tech Certs and Tech Levels in England.
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Update to the private candidate section which states that the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published a list of schools, colleges and other exam centres that will accept private candidate entries for GCSEs, AS and A levels in summer 2022.
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Updated reference to autumn GCSE exams, which have finished.
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Added information about January assessments for vocational and technical qualifications.
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Updated to include a link through to our guidance for schools, colleges and training providers on awarding vocational and technical qualifications in the academic year 2021 to 2022.
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Updated to include information on contingency measures should exams and assessments not go ahead in 2022.
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Removing guidance on submitting appeals for GCSEs and A levels as the appeal deadline has passed.
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Removed the table advising the dates of results days.
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Added note about legal advice being unnecessary when appealing qualification results.
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Added links to additional guides about appealing GCSE, AS and A level results and added information about consultations on arrangements for qualifications awarded in 2022.
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Added details of 2 consultations for how exams should take place for the next academic year (2021 to 2022).
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First published.