If you're one of the students picking up your A-level results today, we wish you all the best for your future.
'It feels like they got a number generator and gave you a grade'
An AS-level student says she is "distraught" after her predicted three B grades turned into two Ds and a U.
Abbie Cooper, 17, from Cwmbran, received D grades in politics and psychology and a U in biology and is now worried about what the results will mean for her university prospects.
"Last year I couldn't attend college a lot due to anxiety and mental health issues but any time I did a mock or a piece of work I'd still get a D, a C or a B. The Ds that I did get had been improved to a B and a C at the end of the year, and my predicted at the end of the year was a B, B, B," she said.
Abbie, who attends Coleg Gwent, added: "It kind of feels like they just got a number generator or a letter generator and gave you a grade based on that.
"It sucks because I need these to apply for university next year because these are my predicted for university. How can I go anywhere with these?"
She hopes to appeal against her grades.
How many have benefited from the 11th-hour change?
Up to 4,500 students may have benefited from last-minute changes to today's A-level results.
Qualifications Wales said last week that teacher estimates had been "generous", resulting in thousands of grades being adjusted down.
This affected more than four in 10 of all grades - more than 12,500.
But after the minister intervened, students whose results today are worse than their earlier AS grades in that subject - it is believed this could involve between 3,000 and 4,500 - will now see their A-levels readjusted "as soon as possible".
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
'Uncertainty and anxiety' over results day
Pupils have faced an "enormous amount
of uncertainty and anxiety" over the arrangements for receiving their A-level
grades and their options if they are unhappy with their results, says NASUWT's general secretary.
Dr Patrick Roach said while it had been widely accepted that coronavirus would create very challenging conditions, the last-minute changes to the arrangements have "heightened the stress and anxiety for many young people".
“No young person’s future life chances
should be compromised as a direct consequence of the decision this year to
cancel examinations due to the coronavirus pandemic," he said.
“At the centre of this latest political
storm are those young people whose futures depend on their awards and the
consequences of ministerial decisions."
He encouraged employers, higher education institutions and training providers to be flexible when making recruitment and admissions decisions this year.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Concern grows at numbers of downgraded results
A growing number of schools are expressing concern that grades received today are not a fair or accurate reflection of the standards pupils can achieve.
Neil Foden, a member of the national executive of the National Education Union, said that from his contact with schools, more than 90% of headteachers were unhappy.
“There is real concern in schools about the number of learners whose results have been downgraded from the teacher estimates," said Mr Foden.
“This is already the generation whose wellbeing and, in some cases, mental health, has been affected by lockdown and concerns about Covid-19 and a number feel that in some way their results would not be as valid because they hadn’t sat a formal exam.
"Now they are the generation who could be short-changed by a statistical model that is clearly not fit for purpose.
“Learners in schools where there is long term statistical evidence of high levels of progress between AS and A-level have seen their results downgraded, in some cases by three grades.”
The appeal process in Wales could take eight weeks, added Mr Foden, who said students are expected to go "cap in hand" to universities to ask them to be flexible while appeals are resolved.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Student who left school to care for grandmother gets top grades
A student who left school to look after her terminally-ill grandmother has achieved top grades in her A-levels.
Tazkia Choudhury, 20, got an A* and two As in biology, chemistry and history, three years after leaving the classroom to become a full-time carer.
The teenager, from Pontypridd, who has dreamt of becoming a doctor since she was a child, went back to college in memory of her grandmother.
She now hopes to train to study medicine at Sheffield University and become a cancer specialist.
"I was nervous about doing the same subjects, but my tutors encouraged me and reassured me that I would get support throughout. I was aiming to get Cs so couldn't believe when I got As," said the Coleg y Cymoedd student.
"It gave me the confidence to think, 'actually, you know what? I can apply for medicine'."
Wales News ServiceCopyright: Wales News Service
Tazkia Choudhury said she had always dreamt of becoming a doctorImage caption: Tazkia Choudhury said she had always dreamt of becoming a doctor
Lower grades than estimated 'not the best'
Welsh students have "had the worst of it", says one student, who got lower than predicted grades.
Video content
Video caption: A-levels: Lower grades than estimated 'not the best'A-levels: Lower grades than estimated 'not the best'
'Anomalies inevitable' after last-minute change in results
Grading was always going to be "fraught with difficulty", says Wales' National Education Union.
NEU Cymru secretary David Evans said Wales needed a system where learners were not disadvantaged by having their exams unfairly downgraded.
"We therefore supported a system which placed trust in the profession to assess pupil performance. But that was just one part of the process and although there have been quality assurance checks, it was inevitable that anomalies would arise," he said.
He added the NEU trusts the appeals processes will be "robust" in correcting such anomalies so young people's futures are protected.
“Exam grades are a ticket to their futures and should not reflect where you live, but what you are capable of.
"It has been an unprecedented year for these young people, and grades must reflect their true ability for there to be confidence in the system."
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Union's concerns over discrepancies in results
Education union UCAC has warned "results will not be clear until the start of next week".
General secretary Dilwyn Roberts-Young said: "It is important that we recognise the hard work and success of candidates and teachers today, despite the very challenging situation we face.
"We also recognise that these are likely to be the most appropriate procedures due to the challenges facing WJEC and Qualifications Wales.
“However, there remains serious concern that there are many discrepancies at individual and centre level, in spite of the education minister’s pledge last night."
He said the last-minute changes and the results of individuals are "inevitably going to create anxiety" and added the union hopes this will not be repeated next week when GCSE results are announced.
Schools have 'no confidence' in marking process
Schools across north Wales say they have "no understanding or confidence in the standardisation process", which has led to "significant inconsistencies".
The six north Wales councils said they were concerned over a "lack of transparency" and said parents and schools have been "disappointed and possibly let down".
"We would like to seek reassurance from Welsh government that pupils in north Wales will not be disadvantaged and miss opportunities to attend the university, further education or employment pathway of their choice when compared to their peers in other countries in the UK, especially Scotland," they said in a statement.
"It seems that in Wales there is a grave danger that protecting the examination brand is more important than recognising the needs of learners, especially the most vulnerable in these unprecedented circumstances that we are managing.
"The standardisation process, details of which have not been shared with the profession, has had a detrimental effect on the morale of teachers and leaders in schools by significantly undermining their professional judgement and that parental confidence will have also been undermined by such discrepancies in results that we see today."
'The world's your oyster'
The Welsh Conservative's education spokeswoman Suzy Davies MS has congratulated pupils on their A-level results, encouraging them to "seek out routes to excellence".
"I hope your results support your chosen path, be that to university, apprenticeships or the world of work," she said.
But, she added "no stone can be left unturned" by the Welsh government in allowing pupils to secure top grades.
“Not all of our pupils who have obtained their A-levels today will go to university, so it is crucial that more opportunities are available, including more degree apprenticeships.
“But, once again, I would like to wish pupils all the best for the future. Seek out those other routes to excellence. The world can still be your oyster.”
Students plan appeals over grades
BBCCopyright: BBC
Disappointed students are already planning to appeal over lower-than-expected grades.
Zac Evans, from Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, said he was "not feeling too badly" about his C grade in design technology, but did not think it was a fair reflection of his work.
"I'm going to
look into an appeal with the hope of getting a higher grade in DT, especially because I was hoping for a B," he said.
He added that, following advice from his head teacher, he believed "it will all be OK in the long run".
"They'll be realising how the
application process works on Monday, because they say it's changing, and come Monday, I'll be looking into it," he added.
Wales has proportionately higher top grades than England
Today's results show Wales has proportionately more pupils with top grades and grades A* to C than in England, but fewer than Northern Ireland
There has also been a 3.3% rise in the proportion of A* to C grades in Wales, higher than elsewhere.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Don't worry about lower grades, students told
Students who received grades lower than their AS results have been told "not to worry" by the Welsh government.
A spokesperson said the WJEC will issue revised grades "as soon as possible" and advised students to speak to their chosen university as soon as possible to discuss their situation.
As there will be fewer than expected foreign students studying in Wales and across the UK due to coronavirus, there should be "plenty of spaces for Welsh students", added the spokesman.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
More than 12,500 grades lowered
More than 12,500 A-level grades were lowered by the exam watchdog after teachers' predictions were deemed "too generous".
Qualifications Wales standardised results, ahead of them being given to students today.
The lowering affects more than four in 10 of all grades - more than 12,500.
Results had been based on teachers' estimates, after exams were cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic.
But students whose results today are worse than their earlier AS grades in that subject will see their A-levels adjusted, after a last-minute intervention by the Welsh government.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Abu Latif, Joe Cunningham and Vicky Baker look at their AS Level results at Ffynone House School, in SwanseaImage caption: Abu Latif, Joe Cunningham and Vicky Baker look at their AS Level results at Ffynone House School, in Swansea
Student with lower results than predicted brands change 'unfair'
One student who got results two grades lowered than he was predicted said the marking system had been "unfair".
A-levels had been based on estimated grades due to the coronavirus pandemic, but thousands of marks were lowered by the exam watchdog after some teachers' marks were deemed "too generous".
Yesterday, the Welsh government said students would not get results lower than what they achieved in their AS subjects, in a last-minute intervention.
But with grades already having been given to school and colleges, students are being told to check their results and flag up issues.
Merthyr College student Bradley Desmier got an E in drama, when he was predicted a C, while for photography he got a D when he was predicted a B.
In England students have been told they will not get a result lower than what they got in their mock exams.
"It is quite a big drop that I received and it wasn’t the best feeling to open up my piece of paper to those results," he said.
"I’ve been working hard to get the grades that I deserve, and for the Welsh government to give me these it’s quite unfair to be honest.
"It’s been quite stressful, and I think Welsh students have had the worst out of it."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Grades disguise 'volatility'
The increase in top grades "disguises a great deal of volatility" among result at school and student level, says the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL Cymru).
Director Eithne Hughes said the education body had received many calls from frustrated, confused and disappointed school leaders.
“They report that grades have been pulled down in a way that they feel to be utterly unfair and unfathomable, and they are extremely concerned about the detrimental impact on the young people concerned," she said.
“School leaders worked very hard to provide accurate grades to the WJEC exam board, carefully following all the guidance, and are dismayed that the statistical model then used to standardise these grades has had such a devastating impact.
"This is in terms of both the number of grades lowered and some students’ results being pulled down by more than one grade."
She described the statistical process as a "blunt instrument" which has "created clear injustices".
"The education system is not a statistical model, it is a collection of individuals, and we fear the process has lacked this important degree of nuance," she said.
ASCL Cymru is calling on the Welsh government and the exam regulator Qualifications Wales to review the situation as a matter of urgency.
Relief and disappointment as students get results
For students opening their results at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph this morning there have been a mixture of emotions.
Dylan Sandland said he needed 3 As and was "disappointed" when he got an A, B and a C.
"I've checked UCAS and I got in so now I'm happy," he said.
Dylan said it was difficult to get results after seven years' hard work which were not based on exam results.
But for Lois Roberts, who is set to go to Cardiff Metropolitan University to do speech and language therapy, said she was happy with her results.
"I only put one choice so I'm really happy - it could have gone either way," she said.
"It's a massive relief, I've been thinking about it for so long now and just like that, by coming into school it's over."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Lois Roberts said she was really happy with her resultsImage caption: Lois Roberts said she was really happy with her results
BBCCopyright: BBC
Dylan Sandland said he was initially disappointedImage caption: Dylan Sandland said he was initially disappointed
'I still have a future and I can make the most of my education'
Cardiff City FoundationCopyright: Cardiff City Foundation
When Heavenly Bomba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, moved to Cardiff to be reunited with her mother, she wanted to study medicine.
But the 19-year-old could not speak English at the time.
While the focus is on A-levels today, many who have studied outside the traditional route in the classroom, will also get results helping them towards a career in their chosen field.
Heavenly is one of many students on the Future Pathways programme, supported by Cardiff City, who have got their exam results today.
The programme provides an alternative style of learning for those leaving secondary school, offering BTEC courses and a foundation degree in community football and development.
Heavenly enrolled on a traineeship programme with the foundation and is now a full-time student and studying for a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in sport, with the hope of going to university to study physiotherapy.
“Coming here has made me realise that I still have a future and that I can make the most of my education," she said,
"I thought I would only be here to develop my English, but I am part of a team here. I am with people who want to help me grow in my new home.”
After leaving school without any qualifications, Nathan Chichester, 20, from Cardiff, started on the programme due to his love of the Bluebirds.
He has been accepted on the charity’s foundation degree, a two-year course designed for people wanting to gain a university qualification, working towards a career in football.
“I’ve been massively inspired by the tutors at Cardiff City FC Foundation, they have helped me realise and achieve my goals, as well as provide me with an insight into my future career options," he said.
Cardiff City FoundationCopyright: Cardiff City Foundation
Nathan Chichester in the classroomImage caption: Nathan Chichester in the classroom
Identical twins head to Oxford after getting identical grades
Identical twin sisters are setting off to Oxford University together - but will finally be torn apart as they go to different colleges.
Cardiff Sixth Form College students Arianne and Enyala Banks both achieved top A-level results, but in very different subjects.
Arianne studied French, history, politics and biology, while her sister Enyala took Maths, physics, chemistry and history.
The 18-year-olds have chosen different paths for when they arrive at Oxford in the autumn.
Arianne will study law with French law at Mansfield College - while Enyala will read materials science at Queen's College.
"We are used to answering to each other's names so it was refreshing to actually have our own space and to realise that as well as being similar we also had room to develop very different talents," said Arianne.
Live Reporting
Rachel Flint, Ben Frampton and Catherine Evans
All times stated are UK
- Record top grades in 'cancelled' A-levels
- Student's 'terrifying' experience during pandemic
- Lightning strikes house and homes flooded
- Concern grows at numbers of downgraded results
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Wales News ServiceCopyright: Wales News Service Tazkia Choudhury said she had always dreamt of becoming a doctorImage caption: Tazkia Choudhury said she had always dreamt of becoming a doctor Video caption: A-levels: Lower grades than estimated 'not the best'A-levels: Lower grades than estimated 'not the best' 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Abu Latif, Joe Cunningham and Vicky Baker look at their AS Level results at Ffynone House School, in SwanseaImage caption: Abu Latif, Joe Cunningham and Vicky Baker look at their AS Level results at Ffynone House School, in Swansea 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC Lois Roberts said she was really happy with her resultsImage caption: Lois Roberts said she was really happy with her results 
BBCCopyright: BBC Dylan Sandland said he was initially disappointedImage caption: Dylan Sandland said he was initially disappointed 
Cardiff City FoundationCopyright: Cardiff City Foundation 
Cardiff City FoundationCopyright: Cardiff City Foundation Nathan Chichester in the classroomImage caption: Nathan Chichester in the classroom 
Wales News ServiceCopyright: Wales News Service
Latest PostGoodbye
That's all from us on today's live page - we'll be back tomorrow to update you on the coronavirus outbreak developments.
Here are your latest stories in Wales:
If you're one of the students picking up your A-level results today, we wish you all the best for your future.
'It feels like they got a number generator and gave you a grade'
An AS-level student says she is "distraught" after her predicted three B grades turned into two Ds and a U.
Abbie Cooper, 17, from Cwmbran, received D grades in politics and psychology and a U in biology and is now worried about what the results will mean for her university prospects.
"Last year I couldn't attend college a lot due to anxiety and mental health issues but any time I did a mock or a piece of work I'd still get a D, a C or a B. The Ds that I did get had been improved to a B and a C at the end of the year, and my predicted at the end of the year was a B, B, B," she said.
Abbie, who attends Coleg Gwent, added: "It kind of feels like they just got a number generator or a letter generator and gave you a grade based on that.
"It sucks because I need these to apply for university next year because these are my predicted for university. How can I go anywhere with these?"
She hopes to appeal against her grades.
How many have benefited from the 11th-hour change?
Up to 4,500 students may have benefited from last-minute changes to today's A-level results.
On Wednesday afternoon, education minister Kirsty Williams pledged grades would be no lower than pupils' earlier AS results.
Qualifications Wales said last week that teacher estimates had been "generous", resulting in thousands of grades being adjusted down.
This affected more than four in 10 of all grades - more than 12,500.
But after the minister intervened, students whose results today are worse than their earlier AS grades in that subject - it is believed this could involve between 3,000 and 4,500 - will now see their A-levels readjusted "as soon as possible".
'Uncertainty and anxiety' over results day
Pupils have faced an "enormous amount of uncertainty and anxiety" over the arrangements for receiving their A-level grades and their options if they are unhappy with their results, says NASUWT's general secretary.
Dr Patrick Roach said while it had been widely accepted that coronavirus would create very challenging conditions, the last-minute changes to the arrangements have "heightened the stress and anxiety for many young people".
“No young person’s future life chances should be compromised as a direct consequence of the decision this year to cancel examinations due to the coronavirus pandemic," he said.
“At the centre of this latest political storm are those young people whose futures depend on their awards and the consequences of ministerial decisions."
He encouraged employers, higher education institutions and training providers to be flexible when making recruitment and admissions decisions this year.
Concern grows at numbers of downgraded results
A growing number of schools are expressing concern that grades received today are not a fair or accurate reflection of the standards pupils can achieve.
Neil Foden, a member of the national executive of the National Education Union, said that from his contact with schools, more than 90% of headteachers were unhappy.
“There is real concern in schools about the number of learners whose results have been downgraded from the teacher estimates," said Mr Foden.
“This is already the generation whose wellbeing and, in some cases, mental health, has been affected by lockdown and concerns about Covid-19 and a number feel that in some way their results would not be as valid because they hadn’t sat a formal exam.
"Now they are the generation who could be short-changed by a statistical model that is clearly not fit for purpose.
“Learners in schools where there is long term statistical evidence of high levels of progress between AS and A-level have seen their results downgraded, in some cases by three grades.”
The appeal process in Wales could take eight weeks, added Mr Foden, who said students are expected to go "cap in hand" to universities to ask them to be flexible while appeals are resolved.
Student who left school to care for grandmother gets top grades
A student who left school to look after her terminally-ill grandmother has achieved top grades in her A-levels.
Tazkia Choudhury, 20, got an A* and two As in biology, chemistry and history, three years after leaving the classroom to become a full-time carer.
The teenager, from Pontypridd, who has dreamt of becoming a doctor since she was a child, went back to college in memory of her grandmother.
She now hopes to train to study medicine at Sheffield University and become a cancer specialist.
"I was nervous about doing the same subjects, but my tutors encouraged me and reassured me that I would get support throughout. I was aiming to get Cs so couldn't believe when I got As," said the Coleg y Cymoedd student.
"It gave me the confidence to think, 'actually, you know what? I can apply for medicine'."
Lower grades than estimated 'not the best'
Welsh students have "had the worst of it", says one student, who got lower than predicted grades.
Video content
'Anomalies inevitable' after last-minute change in results
Grading was always going to be "fraught with difficulty", says Wales' National Education Union.
NEU Cymru secretary David Evans said Wales needed a system where learners were not disadvantaged by having their exams unfairly downgraded.
"We therefore supported a system which placed trust in the profession to assess pupil performance. But that was just one part of the process and although there have been quality assurance checks, it was inevitable that anomalies would arise," he said.
He added the NEU trusts the appeals processes will be "robust" in correcting such anomalies so young people's futures are protected.
“Exam grades are a ticket to their futures and should not reflect where you live, but what you are capable of.
"It has been an unprecedented year for these young people, and grades must reflect their true ability for there to be confidence in the system."
Union's concerns over discrepancies in results
Education union UCAC has warned "results will not be clear until the start of next week".
General secretary Dilwyn Roberts-Young said: "It is important that we recognise the hard work and success of candidates and teachers today, despite the very challenging situation we face.
"We also recognise that these are likely to be the most appropriate procedures due to the challenges facing WJEC and Qualifications Wales.
“However, there remains serious concern that there are many discrepancies at individual and centre level, in spite of the education minister’s pledge last night."
He said the last-minute changes and the results of individuals are "inevitably going to create anxiety" and added the union hopes this will not be repeated next week when GCSE results are announced.
Schools have 'no confidence' in marking process
Schools across north Wales say they have "no understanding or confidence in the standardisation process", which has led to "significant inconsistencies".
The six north Wales councils said they were concerned over a "lack of transparency" and said parents and schools have been "disappointed and possibly let down".
"We would like to seek reassurance from Welsh government that pupils in north Wales will not be disadvantaged and miss opportunities to attend the university, further education or employment pathway of their choice when compared to their peers in other countries in the UK, especially Scotland," they said in a statement.
"It seems that in Wales there is a grave danger that protecting the examination brand is more important than recognising the needs of learners, especially the most vulnerable in these unprecedented circumstances that we are managing.
"The standardisation process, details of which have not been shared with the profession, has had a detrimental effect on the morale of teachers and leaders in schools by significantly undermining their professional judgement and that parental confidence will have also been undermined by such discrepancies in results that we see today."
'The world's your oyster'
The Welsh Conservative's education spokeswoman Suzy Davies MS has congratulated pupils on their A-level results, encouraging them to "seek out routes to excellence".
"I hope your results support your chosen path, be that to university, apprenticeships or the world of work," she said.
But, she added "no stone can be left unturned" by the Welsh government in allowing pupils to secure top grades.
“Not all of our pupils who have obtained their A-levels today will go to university, so it is crucial that more opportunities are available, including more degree apprenticeships.
“But, once again, I would like to wish pupils all the best for the future. Seek out those other routes to excellence. The world can still be your oyster.”
Students plan appeals over grades
Disappointed students are already planning to appeal over lower-than-expected grades.
Zac Evans, from Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, said he was "not feeling too badly" about his C grade in design technology, but did not think it was a fair reflection of his work.
"I'm going to look into an appeal with the hope of getting a higher grade in DT, especially because I was hoping for a B," he said.
He added that, following advice from his head teacher, he believed "it will all be OK in the long run".
"They'll be realising how the application process works on Monday, because they say it's changing, and come Monday, I'll be looking into it," he added.
Wales has proportionately higher top grades than England
Today's results show Wales has proportionately more pupils with top grades and grades A* to C than in England, but fewer than Northern Ireland
There has also been a 3.3% rise in the proportion of A* to C grades in Wales, higher than elsewhere.
Don't worry about lower grades, students told
Students who received grades lower than their AS results have been told "not to worry" by the Welsh government.
A spokesperson said the WJEC will issue revised grades "as soon as possible" and advised students to speak to their chosen university as soon as possible to discuss their situation.
As there will be fewer than expected foreign students studying in Wales and across the UK due to coronavirus, there should be "plenty of spaces for Welsh students", added the spokesman.
More than 12,500 grades lowered
More than 12,500 A-level grades were lowered by the exam watchdog after teachers' predictions were deemed "too generous".
Qualifications Wales standardised results, ahead of them being given to students today.
The lowering affects more than four in 10 of all grades - more than 12,500.
Results had been based on teachers' estimates, after exams were cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic.
But students whose results today are worse than their earlier AS grades in that subject will see their A-levels adjusted, after a last-minute intervention by the Welsh government.
Student with lower results than predicted brands change 'unfair'
One student who got results two grades lowered than he was predicted said the marking system had been "unfair".
A-levels had been based on estimated grades due to the coronavirus pandemic, but thousands of marks were lowered by the exam watchdog after some teachers' marks were deemed "too generous".
Yesterday, the Welsh government said students would not get results lower than what they achieved in their AS subjects, in a last-minute intervention.
But with grades already having been given to school and colleges, students are being told to check their results and flag up issues.
Merthyr College student Bradley Desmier got an E in drama, when he was predicted a C, while for photography he got a D when he was predicted a B.
In England students have been told they will not get a result lower than what they got in their mock exams.
"It is quite a big drop that I received and it wasn’t the best feeling to open up my piece of paper to those results," he said.
"I’ve been working hard to get the grades that I deserve, and for the Welsh government to give me these it’s quite unfair to be honest.
"It’s been quite stressful, and I think Welsh students have had the worst out of it."
Grades disguise 'volatility'
The increase in top grades "disguises a great deal of volatility" among result at school and student level, says the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL Cymru).
Director Eithne Hughes said the education body had received many calls from frustrated, confused and disappointed school leaders.
“They report that grades have been pulled down in a way that they feel to be utterly unfair and unfathomable, and they are extremely concerned about the detrimental impact on the young people concerned," she said.
“School leaders worked very hard to provide accurate grades to the WJEC exam board, carefully following all the guidance, and are dismayed that the statistical model then used to standardise these grades has had such a devastating impact.
"This is in terms of both the number of grades lowered and some students’ results being pulled down by more than one grade."
She described the statistical process as a "blunt instrument" which has "created clear injustices".
"The education system is not a statistical model, it is a collection of individuals, and we fear the process has lacked this important degree of nuance," she said.
ASCL Cymru is calling on the Welsh government and the exam regulator Qualifications Wales to review the situation as a matter of urgency.
Relief and disappointment as students get results
For students opening their results at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph this morning there have been a mixture of emotions.
Dylan Sandland said he needed 3 As and was "disappointed" when he got an A, B and a C.
"I've checked UCAS and I got in so now I'm happy," he said.
Dylan said it was difficult to get results after seven years' hard work which were not based on exam results.
But for Lois Roberts, who is set to go to Cardiff Metropolitan University to do speech and language therapy, said she was happy with her results.
"I only put one choice so I'm really happy - it could have gone either way," she said.
"It's a massive relief, I've been thinking about it for so long now and just like that, by coming into school it's over."
'I still have a future and I can make the most of my education'
When Heavenly Bomba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, moved to Cardiff to be reunited with her mother, she wanted to study medicine.
But the 19-year-old could not speak English at the time.
While the focus is on A-levels today, many who have studied outside the traditional route in the classroom, will also get results helping them towards a career in their chosen field.
Heavenly is one of many students on the Future Pathways programme, supported by Cardiff City, who have got their exam results today.
The programme provides an alternative style of learning for those leaving secondary school, offering BTEC courses and a foundation degree in community football and development.
Heavenly enrolled on a traineeship programme with the foundation and is now a full-time student and studying for a BTEC level 3 extended diploma in sport, with the hope of going to university to study physiotherapy.
“Coming here has made me realise that I still have a future and that I can make the most of my education," she said,
"I thought I would only be here to develop my English, but I am part of a team here. I am with people who want to help me grow in my new home.”
After leaving school without any qualifications, Nathan Chichester, 20, from Cardiff, started on the programme due to his love of the Bluebirds.
He has been accepted on the charity’s foundation degree, a two-year course designed for people wanting to gain a university qualification, working towards a career in football.
“I’ve been massively inspired by the tutors at Cardiff City FC Foundation, they have helped me realise and achieve my goals, as well as provide me with an insight into my future career options," he said.
Identical twins head to Oxford after getting identical grades
Identical twin sisters are setting off to Oxford University together - but will finally be torn apart as they go to different colleges.
Cardiff Sixth Form College students Arianne and Enyala Banks both achieved top A-level results, but in very different subjects.
Arianne studied French, history, politics and biology, while her sister Enyala took Maths, physics, chemistry and history.
The 18-year-olds have chosen different paths for when they arrive at Oxford in the autumn.
Arianne will study law with French law at Mansfield College - while Enyala will read materials science at Queen's College.
"We are used to answering to each other's names so it was refreshing to actually have our own space and to realise that as well as being similar we also had room to develop very different talents," said Arianne.