GCSE results in Wales at the gold standard A* to C, and overall results have fallen slightly in the third "normal" exam year since pandemic disruption. Results for the very top A* grade have risen by 0.1 percentage points while A*-C grades are down by 0.2 percentage points.
Today's results published by the Joint Council for Qualifications show 19.6% of results are A* while 62.3% achieved A*-C. The overall pass rate A*-G is also slightly down by 0.1 percentage point to 96.8%.
Entries and student numbers decline
Entries and numbers of students sitting GCSEs have fallen this year. The decline in entries for core subjects English, maths and Welsh is owing to reforms and new made in Wales GCSEs on the way, said exam bosses. Grades for all GCSEs were awarded to 46,335 learners in Wales this summer, compared to 58,740 in summer 2025.
Today is the last year of results for separate maths and maths numeracy GCSEs in Wales with a reformed maths GCSE on the way. Some Year 10 learners will receive results for the first time in some units of the new made in Wales GCSEs - Cymraeg language and literature, English language and literature, business, computer science, geography, maths and numeracy and religious studies. These are unit results towards the final grades for those GCSEs next year and not whole qualifications.
These new GCSEs have more assessed work towards final grades than previously. On those initial unit results for today's year 10s the exam regulator Qualifications Wales said: "The policy intent is for overall qualification results to be broadly similar when they are published for the first time next year."
Overall GCSE results 2026 for Wales at a glance
289,506 GCSE entries, down 5.7% compared with 2025. 19.6% awarded the top grades A* to A up by 0.1 percentage point. 62.3% A*- C down by 0.2 percentage points. 96.8% A*-G down by 0.1 percentage points.
This year's results compared with 2025 and 2024 include England's number graded GCSE series in brackets as some Welsh private schools run these. A*-A (7-9): 2026 19.6%, 2025 19.5%, 2024 19.2%. A*-C (9-4): 2026 62.3%, 2025 62.5%, 2024 62.2%. A*-G (9.1): 2026 96.8%, 2025 96.9%, 2024 96.6%.
In Wales, students have the opportunity to take either GCSE mathematics or GCSE mathematics - numeracy, with the majority taking the opportunity to study both subjects. This is the final year where students can be entered for both qualifications, due to the ongoing GCSE reform.
Core subject results and highlights
Results for the core subjects: Maths A* 13.9%, A*-C 48.3%. Maths numeracy A*-A 11.9%, A*-C 49.4%. English language A*-A 11.8%, A*-C 54.3%. English Literature A*-A 21.4%, A*-C 75.1%. Welsh First Language A*-A 14.8%, A*-C 69.4%. Welsh second language A*-A 22%, A*-C 64.1%.
Separate sciences: Biology A* 43.2%, A*-C 86.8%. Chemistry A* 44%, A*-C 89.1%. Physics A* 46.5%, A*-C 89.4%. Science double award A*-A 7.8%, A*-C 50.8%.
For 16 year olds only taking GCSEs: A* 6.9%, A*-A 19.9%, A*-C 63.4%, A*-G 97%.
GCSE Highlights: 289,506 total entries - down by 5.7% (17,583 entries) compared with 2025. 19.6% candidates awarded the top grades A*/9 – A/7. Top 10 subjects by entry remains unchanged compared with 2025. English literature has seen a 30.5% decrease in entries (-8,981) and mathematics numeracy a 22.5% decrease in entries (-5,355). The reduction in entries are due to the ongoing GCSE reform in Wales, said exam bosses. "Changes in entries for English, mathematics and Welsh can be attributed to the introduction of new GCSEs in Wales," said the exam board.
Welsh Baccalaureate results
Students also received grades in National/Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate and final award for National/Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate today. The National/Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate qualification gives 14–16-year-olds essential and employability skills. Entries for the National/Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate were 22,196. 98.2% of candidates achieved the qualification, 18.5% of which achieved A*- A grades and 87.8% of candidates achieved at A*- C.
Candidates achieve the National Welsh Baccalaureate by passing the Skills Challenge Certificate at National level and the required supporting qualifications which include a grade A*- C in GCSE mathematics or mathematics-numeracy, a grade A*- C in GCSE English language or Welsh language, and gaining grade A*- C in 3 further GCSEs of which 2 can be equivalent qualifications. Of the 22,735 candidates who completed the National/Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate 51.7% gained the National Welsh Baccalaureate, with a further 41.3% gaining the Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate.
WJEC's Chief Executive, Ian Morgan said: "Congratulations to Welsh Baccalaureate students across Wales on their achievements today. As we mark the final year of Welsh Baccalaureate awards, these results represent a particularly significant milestone for learners, their teachers, and everyone who has supported the qualification throughout its journey."
Comparisons and ministerial response
As exam systems change comparisons become ever harder. England's GCSE series uses number graded marks and includes what would amount to an A** grade, which Wales does not mark for. Wales is also now reforming its GCSEs so results in future years will also become harder to compare with those now.
2024 was the first year of return to pre-pandemic conditions without teacher assessed grades (as in 2020 and 2021 or extra support to account for "lost learning" (as in 2022 and 2023). Record results were achieved in 2020 and 2021 when exams were cancelled and grades awarded on teacher assessments and in 2022 and 2023 when candidates got extra support such as information on what topics to revise for - this was all to mitigate for lost learning during Covid. None of that support has been offered since 2023 to bring the system back to "normal" pre-pandemic arrangements.
Welsh Government Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, congratulated everyone across Wales receiving their GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results this morning. The Minister, who joined pupils and staff at Llanishen High School, in Cardiff as they collected their results, said: "I want to congratulate everyone getting their results today. This marks an important point in a young person's life, but your results do not define your future. Whatever your results there are many opportunities available for you, whether you are heading into further education, apprenticeships or employment. It is also a proud day for teachers and education staff across Wales who have supported learners throughout their time at school, and I want to thank them for their dedication and support."
