UCAS login nightmare as website CRASHES on A-Level results day with millions of students trying to get their grades
A UNIVERSITY website crashed as millions of students today logged in to find out their A-Level results.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) login was down this morning as youngsters frantically tried to see if they'd passed their exams.
The grades were set to be released today, with a fifth of students likely to hit their predicted level after exams replaced teacher assessments.
It has now been revealed the A-Level results were the worst they've been in four years.
The UCAS system, which is used to track university applications, was due to update from 8am today.
Dozens of students rushed to Twitter to complain about the website reportedly crashing.
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One wrote: "UCAS website crashed... you'd think they'd be prepared."
Another said: "Hey UCAS online your site/app has crashed, as if these kids haven't been through enough!
"Of all the days not to fail, it's today."
UCAS told The Sun: "Students received a personalised email confirming their decision just after 8am today.
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"A small number of students may have been affected by the website running slow but this was quickly resolved.
"All students were able to access their decisions on email.
"Our team of UCAS advisors are on hand all day to offer support on the phone and on social media."
Meanwhile, marks have fallen back to 2019 levels after pandemic-era teacher assessments were ditched and normal exams were brought back.
Thousands have been left scrambling to grab leftover university places after missing out on their top choices.
It means the number of entries awarded an A or A* plunged 9.2 per to 27.2 per cent compared to 36.4 per cent last year- a drop of 73,000 top grades.
And the proportion of students clinching a pass mark above an E dipped to 97.3 per cent from 98.4 per cent in 2022. It is also the lowest pass rate since 2008.
Ministers previously insisted returning to 2019 standards allowed for a fair comparison of students over the years as teachers marked generously in 2020 and 2021 when a fifth of papers were graded A*.
But there are fears poorer pupils will bear the brunt of grade deflation as they missed more school during lockdown.
Schools minister Nick Gibb has urged universities and colleges to be mindful of disadvantaged students when awarding places.
Vivienne Stern, of Universities UK, advised pupils to have a back-up plan in case they fail to get their grades.
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Those rejected from their first choice universities will scramble for 30,000 courses in clearing.
Many fear losing out to overseas students, who pay higher fees, after some unis urged them to grab clearing places before the A-level results were issued.
