Today’s A level results show male students remain behind female students, both in terms of exams taken and the standard (C) grades achieved. The headlines may be all about A* to A grades where boys appear at first glance to have done well (even though fewer numerically received these top grades), but overall, the picture is far less rosy for males.

The Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys are pleased that so many boys and girls are getting top grades - it shows how dedicated they are and how hard they have worked.

Male students were awarded 388,210 A levels in 2026 for which results were announced today, compared with 447,550 A levels awarded to female students. While the male entry pass rate at the highest level of A*/A grades was 28.9%, higher than the female entry pass rate at the same level of 27.9%, the actual number of these top A levels awarded to male students was 12,673 lower.  That’s because 59,340 fewer A levels are taken by males. The gender gap at A*/A levels in 2025 was 0.4% and has increased to 1% in 2026, but as the figures show, this does not tell the whole story

The figures for passes at C grade and above – those generally required for university admission - tell a more comprehensive story.  Today’s figures reveal a male entry overall pass rate (Grade C and above) of 76.6%, compared to 79.4% for female entries.  However, the combination of fewer males attempting A levels and females outperforming them means that in total, 38,026 fewer grades C and above were awarded to boys compared with girls.

This gender gap can also be seen by UCAS data released today, over 26,000 fewer 18-year-old English boys have been accepted by universities than their female peers - 33,280 across the UK overall.

In terms of why male students outperform female students at A*/A grades, two theories have been suggested. Firstly, that male students are less likely to take an exam they feel they will fail.   Alternatively, Professor Alan Smithers from Buckingham University believes boys are more inclined to study “quantitative subjects which are the highest awarders of A* grades.”

The data from Maths A level today supports this argument. This year, Maths was the most popular A level and was predominantly taken by male students (63.1% of students receiving results for Maths today are male). It was also a subject where students were very successful, as Ofqual stated 42.1% of those taking Maths this year achieved A*- A grades. These patterns help explain the proportion of male students in the top grades.

However, when the overall figures are taken in conjunction with the decade high numbers of male NEETS who are either unemployed (257,000) or economically inactive (297,000), many with mental health conditions, along with falling apprenticeship starts, it’s clear that young men and boys are still facing serious challenges.

These are all driving motivations behind the CPRMB Boys’ Education Commission, chaired by Peter Hyman, which aims to understand why males are behind females at all levels of education from early years to university, and what can be done to help them.  The Commission has recently launched a call for evidence and wants to hear from educators, practitioners, parents, students, and other stakeholders.

Mark Brooks, Director of Policy at the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys, said: “Congratulations to all those boys and girls who have worked so hard for their A levels. It is great to see so many boys, as well as girls, getting top grades. When taken in the round, male A level students are still behind female students. Fewer take them, fewer get the top grades and fewer get the standard university entry grade C. It also means fewer go to university. It is a key reason why we are hosting the Boys’ Education Commission, because we need to urgently find out why boys are relatively underperforming, and then argue for the policies that will provide solutions.”

Martha Lucas, Research Officer at the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys, said: “Whatever way you look at it, there are clear gender gaps at A level: in subject choice, high grade attainment and for those falling through the cracks. To sideline gender considerations when the patterns are so visible would be a disservice to every young person receiving their results today.”

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