Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Get the free app no ads · no paywall

News · 13 August 2026

A-level maths paper was 'significantly more challenging' this year

A-level maths paper was 'significantly more challenging' this year

Image by fidaolga on Freepik

England's exams regulator, Ofqual, is monitoring an A-level maths paper after students and parents said it was much harder than previous years. On Thursday, A-level results were issued to hundreds of thousands of students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The pass rate for top A-level grades reached a record high last year, with 28.3% of all grades being A* or A.

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

What are A-levels? Why do exam standards change? Who are Ofqual?

More briefs

GeneralSouthern England declared in severe drought across six areas TechnologyTesla's new Roadster: 60 mph in under a second, thanks to SpaceX WorldTrump administration places new sanctions on 26 targets connected to Iran PoliticsChancellor John Healey plans to raise taxes on banks in the October budget BusinessLondon's top shares reach a seven-week high as investors buy safer British businesses GeneralHarry and Meghan visit Nottingham in their first joint public outing since returning Browse all stories →