In a turnaround from normal practice, students waiting for their A-level results will get them before the press do. Usually the British media are given a round-up of all A-level results before the individual results are sent out. This is usually the time you find hand-wringing all round when results are seen to be on the increase for the n'th year running.

But this year, teenagers will have a single day's period of grace to enjoy their results before the general 'dumbing down' articles hit the papers.

It's expected, though, that the results will show an increase on last year's pass rate of 96%, which will put pressure on the government to show universities and employers how to tell who the most able students are.

• The right university and course for your child?
  
• This Week's News