A-level computing outcome comparisons 2022-23
data from: https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/Alevel/SubjectCombinations/
subject total Grade comp sub grade_diff t-test diff chart
A* A B C D E U avg sd avg sd t_stat p_value
Mathematics 13,375 -11.7,
(7.4-19.1)		 -0.7,
(23.1-23.8)		 6.8,
(25.6-18.8)		 5.5,
(20.9-15.4)		 2.2,
(14.1-11.9)		 -1.3,
(6.6-7.9)		 -1,
(2.3-3.3)		 3.60 1.45 3.86 1.69 0.26 14.85 0.000
6.84 −11.7 −11.7 −0.75 6.84 5.53 2.24 −1.27 −1.01
Physics 7,210 -2.6,
(8.9-11.6)		 4,
(24.8-20.8)		 5.5,
(25.4-19.9)		 1.8,
(20-18.2)		 -3.1,
(12.9-16)		 -3.8,
(6.2-10)		 -1.8,
(1.8-3.6)		 3.71 1.44 3.50 1.65 −0.22 −9.03 0.000
5.48 −3.81 −2.64 4.02 5.48 1.80 −3.05 −3.81 −1.80
Further mathematics 3,790 -9.4,
(19.8-29.2)		 11.3,
(40.6-29.3)		 2.6,
(23.6-21)		 -0.1,
(10.4-10.6)		 -2,
(4.1-6.1)		 -1.8,
(1.1-2.9)		 -0.7,
(0.4-1.1)		 4.57 1.14 4.52 1.40 −0.05 −1.86 0.062
11.3 −9.37 −9.37 11.3 2.64 −0.13 −1.98 −1.85 −0.66
Economics 2,365 -1.3,
(3.6-4.9)		 -4.7,
(13.3-18)		 -9.7,
(21.8-31.5)		 -1.1,
(23.5-24.5)		 5.7,
(19.5-13.7)		 6.6,
(12.5-5.9)		 4.2,
(5.9-1.7)		 2.97 1.52 3.51 1.32 0.54 12.30 0.000
6.55 −9.73 −1.27 −4.65 −9.73 −1.06 5.71 6.55 4.23
Business studies 1,740 -2,
(0.6-2.6)		 -4.3,
(6-10.3)		 -15.8,
(14.7-30.5)		 -9.5,
(23.3-32.8)		 11.2,
(27.9-16.7)		 13.2,
(18.4-5.2)		 7.5,
(9.2-1.7)		 2.36 1.37 3.27 1.19 0.91 19.52 0.000
13.2 −15.8 −2.01 −4.31 −15.8 −9.48 11.2 13.2 7.47
Chemistry 1,255 -0.4,
(7.2-7.6)		 0.4,
(21.5-21.1)		 -0.8,
(22.7-23.5)		 3.2,
(22.3-19.1)		 1.6,
(16.7-15.1)		 -2,
(7.2-9.2)		 -2,
(2.4-4.4)		 3.49 1.47 3.42 1.58 −0.07 −1.22 0.222
3.19 −1.99 −0.40 0.40 −0.80 3.19 1.59 −1.99 −1.99
Psychology 1,130 -2.2,
(2.2-4.4)		 0,
(10.6-10.6)		 -7.1,
(19-26.1)		 -3.1,
(23-26.1)		 1.8,
(21.2-19.5)		 4.4,
(15-10.6)		 5.8,
(8.8-3.1)		 2.69 1.53 3.11 1.40 0.42 6.47 0.000
5.75 −7.08 −2.21 0 −7.08 −3.10 1.77 4.42 5.75
Biology 1,050 -1,
(4.3-5.2)		 -1.9,
(13.8-15.7)		 0.5,
(23.3-22.9)		 1,
(23.8-22.9)		 1.9,
(19.5-17.6)		 0,
(11-11)		 0,
(4.3-4.3)		 3.10 1.48 3.18 1.52 0.08 1.27 0.205
1.90 −1.90 −0.95 −1.90 0.48 0.95 1.90 0 0
Geography 755 -1.3,
(1.3-2.6)		 0,
(11.9-11.9)		 -11.3,
(17.9-29.1)		 -1.3,
(25.8-27.2)		 3.3,
(23.8-20.5)		 7.3,
(13.9-6.6)		 4,
(5.3-1.3)		 2.78 1.41 3.23 1.25 0.45 6.21 0.000
7.28 −11.3 −1.32 0 −11.3 −1.32 3.31 7.28 3.97
History 730 -0.7,
(2.1-2.7)		 -3.4,
(10.3-13.7)		 -8.9,
(20.5-29.5)		 -8.2,
(26.7-34.9)		 7.5,
(21.2-13.7)		 7.5,
(11.6-4.1)		 6.2,
(7.5-1.4)		 2.80 1.46 3.39 1.17 0.59 7.73 0.000
7.53 −8.90 −0.68 −3.42 −8.90 −8.22 7.53 7.53 6.16
Design and technology 458 -2.6,
(0.7-3.3)		 -2.2,
(8.7-10.9)		 -8.7,
(19.7-28.4)		 -9.8,
(20.7-30.6)		 7.6,
(25.1-17.5)		 10.9,
(18.6-7.6)		 4.4,
(6.6-2.2)		 2.57 1.42 3.21 1.28 0.63 6.78 0.000
10.9 −9.83 −2.62 −2.18 −8.73 −9.83 7.64 10.9 4.37
Sociology 338 -2.1,
(0.9-3)		 -5.9,
(4.4-10.4)		 -17.8,
(10.4-28.1)		 -8.9,
(22.2-31.1)		 10.4,
(28.1-17.8)		 11.8,
(19.2-7.4)		 13.9,
(14.8-0.9)		 2.11 1.40 3.23 1.22 1.12 10.42 0.000
13.9 −17.8 −2.07 −5.92 −17.8 −8.88 10.4 11.8 13.9
Media studies 305 -1,
(0-1)		 -1.6,
(4.9-6.6)		 -21.3,
(16.4-37.7)		 -16.4,
(19.7-36.1)		 14.8,
(29.5-14.8)		 18,
(19.7-1.6)		 8.9,
(9.8-1)		 2.28 1.34 3.33 0.97 1.05 9.68 0.000
18.0 −21.3 −0.98 −1.64 −21.3 −16.4 14.8 18.0 8.85
English literature 265 -3.8,
(3.8-7.5)		 -5.7,
(11.3-17)		 -11.3,
(20.8-32.1)		 -1.9,
(24.5-26.4)		 11.3,
(20.8-9.4)		 11.3,
(13.2-1.9)		 4.5,
(5.7-1.1)		 2.91 1.50 3.75 1.21 0.85 6.54 0.000
11.3 −11.3 −3.77 −5.66 −11.3 −1.89 11.3 11.3 4.53
Political studies 255 -2,
(2-3.9)		 0,
(15.7-15.7)		 -11.8,
(17.6-29.4)		 -5.9,
(21.6-27.5)		 5.9,
(21.6-15.7)		 9.8,
(15.7-5.9)		 4.7,
(5.9-1.2)		 2.84 1.53 3.42 1.27 0.58 4.26 0.000
9.80 −11.8 −1.96 0 −11.8 −5.88 5.88 9.80 4.71
Music 250 0,
(8-8)		 6,
(22-16)		 -8,
(24-32)		 -2,
(20-22)		 -2,
(16-18)		 4,
(8-4)		 0.8,
(2-1.2)		 3.54 1.49 3.58 1.33 0.04 0.28 0.780
6 −8 0 6.00 −8.00 −2.00 −2.00 4.00 0.80
Art: Graphics 238 -11.3,
(1.3-12.6)		 -8.4,
(10.5-18.9)		 -18.9,
(16.8-35.7)		 -2.1,
(18.9-21)		 16.8,
(25.2-8.4)		 17.6,
(18.9-1.3)		 7.1,
(8.4-1.3)		 2.53 1.50 3.97 1.25 1.44 10.48 0.000
17.6 −18.9 −11.3 −8.40 −18.9 −2.10 16.8 17.6 7.14
Art: Fine art 230 -8.7,
(2.2-10.9)		 -8.7,
(15.2-23.9)		 -10.9,
(21.7-32.6)		 0,
(21.7-21.7)		 10.9,
(21.7-10.9)		 11.7,
(13-1.3)		 4.3,
(4.3-0)		 2.98 1.47 3.98 1.19 1.00 7.34 0.000
11.7 −10.9 −8.70 −8.70 −10.9 0 10.9 11.7 4.35
Law 183 -3.8,
(1.6-5.5)		 -8.2,
(5.5-13.7)		 -10.9,
(10.9-21.9)		 -10.9,
(16.4-27.3)		 13.7,
(32.8-19.1)		 10.9,
(21.9-10.9)		 8.2,
(10.9-2.7)		 2.17 1.41 3.16 1.44 0.99 6.71 0.000
13.7 −10.9 −3.83 −8.20 −10.9 −10.9 13.7 10.9 8.20
Art: Photography 163 -13.5,
(1.8-15.3)		 -6.1,
(6.1-12.3)		 -21.5,
(12.3-33.7)		 -9.2,
(18.4-27.6)		 21.5,
(30.7-9.2)		 16.6,
(18.4-1.8)		 10.4,
(12.3-1.8)		 2.26 1.46 3.84 1.34 1.59 9.81 0.000
21.5 −21.5 −13.5 −6.13 −21.5 −9.20 21.5 16.6 10.4
Spanish 160 -6.2,
(6.2-12.5)		 -3.1,
(15.6-18.8)		 -6.2,
(25-31.2)		 0,
(21.9-21.9)		 6.2,
(15.6-9.4)		 6.2,
(9.4-3.1)		 4.4,
(6.2-1.9)		 3.22 1.58 3.86 1.37 0.64 3.64 0.000
6.25 −6.25 −6.25 −3.12 −6.25 0 6.25 6.25 4.38
English language 153 0,
(2-2)		 -3.3,
(6.5-9.8)		 -19.6,
(16.3-35.9)		 -9.8,
(26.1-35.9)		 19.6,
(32.7-13.1)		 9.8,
(13.1-3.3)		 1.3,
(3.3-2)		 2.67 1.28 3.35 1.10 0.69 4.69 0.000
19.6 −19.6 0 −3.27 −19.6 −9.80 19.6 9.80 1.31
Religious studies 128 -1.6,
(2.3-3.9)		 -3.9,
(11.7-15.6)		 -15.6,
(19.5-35.2)		 -7.8,
(23.4-31.2)		 11.7,
(23.4-11.7)		 3.9,
(11.7-7.8)		 7.8,
(7.8-0)		 2.80 1.50 3.48 1.20 0.68 3.66 0.000
11.7 −15.6 −1.56 −3.91 −15.6 −7.81 11.7 3.91 7.81
Film studies 125 -2.4,
(0-2.4)		 -12,
(4-16)		 -28,
(16-44)		 -16,
(20-36)		 24,
(32-8)		 17.6,
(20-2.4)		 8,
(8-0)		 2.28 1.28 3.65 0.97 1.37 8.44 0.000
24 −28 −2.40 −12.0 −28.0 −16.0 24.0 17.6 8.00
French 125 0,
(8-8)		 0,
(24-24)		 -12,
(20-32)		 -8,
(20-28)		 8,
(16-8)		 5.6,
(8-2.4)		 4,
(4-0)		 3.48 1.58 3.89 1.15 0.41 2.06 0.041
8 −12 0 0 −12.0 −8.00 8.00 5.60 4.00
Art 93 -7.5,
(3.2-10.8)		 0,
(10.8-10.8)		 -21.5,
(21.5-43)		 5.4,
(21.5-16.1)		 5.4,
(21.5-16.1)		 16.1,
(16.1-0)		 2.2,
(5.4-3.2)		 2.83 1.50 3.71 1.33 0.88 4.01 0.000
16.1 −21.5 −7.53 0 −21.5 5.38 5.38 16.1 2.15
Physical education 93 0,
(3.2-3.2)		 5.4,
(10.8-5.4)		 -5.4,
(10.8-16.1)		 -10.8,
(21.5-32.3)		 0,
(21.5-21.5)		 10.8,
(21.5-10.8)		 0,
(10.8-10.8)		 2.45 1.60 2.61 1.46 0.16 0.69 0.494
10.8 −10.8 0 5.38 −5.38 −10.8 0 10.8 0
Drama 83 0,
(3.6-3.6)		 12,
(18.1-6)		 -6,
(24.1-30.1)		 -30.1,
(12-42.2)		 6,
(18.1-12)		 14.5,
(18.1-3.6)		 2.4,
(6-3.6)		 2.99 1.65 3.23 1.18 0.24 0.93 0.355
14.5 −30.1 0 12.0 −6.02 −30.1 6.02 14.5 2.41
Philosophy 63 3.2,
(7.9-4.8)		 0,
(23.8-23.8)		 -7.9,
(15.9-23.8)		 -7.9,
(15.9-23.8)		 0,
(15.9-15.9)		 11.1,
(15.9-4.8)		 0,
(4.8-4.8)		 3.25 1.73 3.45 1.47 0.20 0.65 0.519
11.1 −7.94 3.17 0 −7.94 −7.94 0 11.1 0
Classical civilisation 56 0,
(5.4-5.4)		 8.9,
(26.8-17.9)		 -26.8,
(17.9-44.6)		 8.9,
(26.8-17.9)		 3.6,
(8.9-5.4)		 0,
(5.4-5.4)		 8.9,
(8.9-0)		 3.41 1.63 3.83 1.13 0.42 1.37 0.174
8.93 −26.8 0 8.93 −26.8 8.93 3.57 0 8.93
English language and literature 53 -5.7,
(0-5.7)		 -3.8,
(5.7-9.4)		 -9.4,
(18.9-28.3)		 -18.9,
(28.3-47.2)		 0,
(18.9-18.9)		 9.4,
(9.4-0)		 18.9,
(18.9-0)		 2.36 1.51 3.41 1.03 1.06 3.61 0.001
18.9 −18.9 −5.66 −3.77 −9.43 −18.9 0 9.43 18.9
Note: green cells indicate statistically significant differences between the two groups when using a z-test prop.test(), with p < 0.05.
values in brackets are the percentage of students achieving the grade in each group, the leading value is the difference between the groups, e.g. a positive B of 6.8 for Mathematics means more computing students got a B grade (25.6%) than Maths students (18.8%).
t-tests are two-tailed and assume equal variances.
for mean and sd calculations A* = 6, A = 5, … U = 0.