The biggest reduction in the proportion of students awarded A-level grades of C and above after moderation was recorded within those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Some 85 per cent of candidates classed as having a "low" socio-economic status by exam regulator Ofqual had been predicted to achieve a C and above by their schools.

This fell to 74.6 per cent once final grades were calculated under this year's new moderation process – a drop of 10.4 percentage points.

By contrast, the proportion of students from the least deprived backgrounds, or "high" socio-economic status, awarded a C and above fell by 8.3 percentage points during the process, from 89.3 per cent to 81 per cent.

No evidence of bias

The figures form part of a technical analysis issued by Ofqual on Thursday to accompany the release of A-level results for England.

Ofqual said there was no evidence "bias" had been introduced into the moderation system set up following the cancellation of exams due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It said differences between the change in predicted and final results was "relatively similar" across all socio-economic groups.

The regulator said it was "difficult to draw firm conclusions" over the relationship between deprivation and grade adjustment.

Shared On DLIKE