As expected overall entries for AS in 2016 were down (by 14%), largely as a result of the introduction of the reformed, decoupled AS in England.

There were 13 new AS qualifications awarded for the first time in England this summer. Results from these qualifications no longer count towards the final A Level grade and so a drop in entries in these new subjects was inevitable.

AS overall results were up just over 1% at A grade, but the results include both the unreformed and reformed AS so meaningful comparisons between 2015 and 2016 are difficult to make.

17% of schools in England that had previously offered AS qualifications in reformed AS subjects did not offer any AS qualifications in those subjects in 2016.

Of the others, 44% reduced the number of AS qualifications they previously offered in reformed subjects.

Overall results this summer for AS and A Level were very stable, with only small changes in the proportions achieving each grade. The proportion achieving A* to E at A Level was unchanged at 98.1%.

Maths remains the most popular A Level subject (and AS too), followed by English, Biology, Psychology and History.  Computing has seen the biggest increase in A Level take up, with Economics and Sociology also on the rise.

Declining numbers of candidates can be seen for A Levels in General Studies, Performing Arts, Music and Drama.

The Extended Project Qualification continues its year-on-year increase with a rise of 6.1%, bringing the number of candidates to 35,608 in 2016