Pupils are due to celebrate their best A-level results ever with top grades at a record high outside of the Covid years, a report predicts.New analysis from the University of Buckingham suggests almost three in ten entries will get at least an A, with almost one in ten getting an A*.In addition, it predicts boys will increase their lead over girls in top grades – a trend which began last year.Hundreds of thousands of sixth formers will pick up their grades this Thursday and discover whether they have won a university place.The report, from Buckingham's Centre for Education and Employment Research, said although the increase in top grades may be less than half a percentage point, this would still translate into thousands of entries.It would be the third year in a row that top grades had risen, but the report said artificial grade inflation was not to blame.Instead, it said the trend was down to the rising popularity of maths, which produces more A and A* grades than other subjects.Report author Professor Alan Smithers said: 'The good news for those anxiously awaiting the 2026 results is that more top grades are likely to be awarded than in any year ever, outside those sent through the roof by teacher assessment during Covid. Pupils are due to celebrate their best A-level results ever with top grades at a record high outside of the Covid years, a report predicts (pictured: pupils collecting their results last year) New analysis from the University of Buckingham suggests almost three in ten entries will get at least an A, with almost one in ten getting an A* (pictured: pupils last year) 'We cannot be sure, but it is my best guess... It could be that post-pandemic we are seeing the emergence of a new upward trend.'However, he added: 'This will be down to changes in the entry mix, not grade inflation.'Last year, 28.3 per cent of entries scored at least an A grade, and 9.4 per cent scored an A*.This was the highest on record outside of the Pandemic years of 2020-2022, when grades were artificially inflated due to exams being cancelled and teachers deciding marks.The report pointed out maths is now by far the most popular subject, following steady rises in entries including a 3.9 per cent increase this year.Meanwhile, entries for further maths have increased by 8.6 per cent this year.The report said: 'Maths emerged as the main driver of overall outcomes in 2025, since it had by far the largest entry and was among the highest awarders of top grades. Along with further maths, it accounted for nearly a quarter of the A* grades awarded.'