A-level grades have fallen compared to the pandemic, but are higher than in 2019 when students last sat exams.
Hundreds of thousands of students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been eagerly awaiting their results to discover if they will be off to university next month.
Students sat exams for the first time in three years this year after the Government cancelled them in 2020 because of the pandemic and decided it would “not be fair” for them to be held in 2021.
Students instead received grades based on assessments by their teachers.
This year’s results showed a slight drop in the number of those achieving the highest awards as exams returned for the first time since 2019.
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The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) said the overall pass rate fell from 99.5% in 2021 to 98.4% this year but is up from 97.6% in 2019.
Girls continued to outperform boys overall, with 98.7% A* to E grades, compared to 98.1%.
The figure for the highest grade, A*, is down year-on-year from 19.1% to 14.6%, but remains higher than in 2019 when it stood at 7.7%.
And the proportion of entries graded A* to C dropped from 88.5% in 2021 to 82.6% this year, though it is up from 75.9% in 2019.
Kath Thomas, interim chief executive of the JCQ, said: "Not only is it the culmination of two years of hard work, but these students are the first to have taken formal summer exams in three years, so we should all celebrate this achievement.
"Exams are the fairest way to assess students, as they give everyone the chance to show what they know.
"Today's results therefore represent a huge milestone in our recovery from the pandemic and are testament to the diligence and resilience of young people and school staff across the country.
"As intended, these results are higher than the last set of summer exams in 2019, but lower than last year's teacher-assessed grades.
"This reflects the special arrangements that were put in place to support students, schools and colleges through another challenging year due to Covid."
Admissions service UCAS says a record number of students are expected to get on to their first choice courses, however warned some may be disappointed.
Education Secretary James Cleverly added: “Not only have they studied throughout the pandemic, but they are the first group in three years to sit exams.
“For that, I want to congratulate them and say a huge thank you to those who helped them get to this point.”
David Hughes, the Association of Colleges chief executive, added: “The class of 2022 has faced unprecedented disruption to their education and many have never taken public exams before due to the pandemic.
“So, their achievements are a testament to their resilience and hard work throughout this period, and to their outstanding teachers and support staff who have helped them to achieve success.”
Despite the euphoria for many students, some will not have achieved the marks they wanted but have been assured to not panic as options are still available.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Where students miss places on their first-choice courses there will be many other options available.
“We would urge students in this situation not to panic and to talk to their school or college where their teachers are very experienced in providing advice and support."
Meanwhile mental health charity Student Minds has reminded those feeling overwhelmed by their results to get in touch.
Rosie Tressler, CEO, Student Minds, said: "Results day can bring up a variety of emotions as students take their next steps.
“Some students will be celebrating receiving the results they want and getting into their first choice university, others may go through clearing or to a second choice university and some students may be considering a different path to university.”
Pupils in Scotland received the results of their Higher examinations last week, with a similar trend in that the pass rate was down on last year but above pre-pandemic levels from 2019.
