Teenagers from across the country achieved record results in their A-levels again this year as the pass rate soared above 97pc for the first time.Although a breakdown of results across East Anglia was still awaited this morning, the proportion of pupils awarded A grades nationally also rose again with more than one in four gaining the top marks.

Teenagers from across the country achieved record results in their A-levels again this year as the pass rate soared above 97pc for the first time.

Although a breakdown of results across East Anglia was still awaited this morning, the proportion of pupils awarded A grades nationally also rose again with more than one in four gaining the top marks.

But predictions that the number of A grades would hit 26pc were just wide of the mark. The number of exams awarded A was 25.9pc up from 25.3pc last year. Figures from the exam boards show traditional subjects are still firm favourites with English and maths the top choices.

And pupils are once again taking greater interest in science with increased entries in all three areas - biology, chemistry and physics. Chemistry was the favourite science - the eighth most popular choice of subjects amongst sixth-formers.

Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, which published the results today, said they were excellent and congratulated students on their achievements.

He said: “The results show not only an improvement in the grades achieved but also an increased entry to mathematics, sciences and languages, which are positive and encouraging developments all round. This has to be a day for celebration.”

Schools minister Jim Knight also dismissed any suggestion that another set of record results showed that A-levels were being dumbed down.