- Students will begin receiving this year's exam results online and in person from 8am (GMT) this morning.
- Under the plans, pupils will still attend school on results day to receive their grades in person this morning. But later, their results will then appear on the app, from around 11am.
- For the first time, many students in England will be able to view their grades through a new app.
- In January, the Department for Education announced the national rollout of a new app, the Education Record, which allows students to view their GCSE results digitally.
- The government says the app will reduce reliance on paper certificates, which can be lost or damaged, and will give employers faster access to verified education records.
GCSE results day 2026 has arrived, with students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland receiving their grades starting at 8am (GMT). This year marks a significant change as many students can now access their results through the new Education Record app, launched by the Department for Education.14
Despite the digital option, students are still advised to collect their results in person. The app aims to reduce reliance on paper certificates, which can be lost or damaged, and provide employers with quicker access to verified education records. Education Secretary Lucy Powell has encouraged students to remain positive about their prospects, assuring them of “high-quality options” regardless of their results.5
Last year, the GCSE results showed a slight increase in performance, with 70.4% of pupils achieving a grade 4 and above, and 23% achieving a grade 7 or higher. The gender gap in performance has also narrowed, with boys improving in subjects like maths and English, while girls saw a decline in their traditionally strong subjects.
In 2025, Northern Ireland led the way with 30.7% of grades being A and A*, followed by 29.6% in Wales and 28.7% in England. The results reflect ongoing trends in educational performance and the impact of new digital tools on the examination process.
“Students will begin receiving this year's exam results online and in person from 8am (GMT) this morning, with results appearing on the new Education Record app from around 11am. The government aims to reduce reliance on paper certificates, providing employers with faster access to verified education records.”
The Guardian
