<sod >Meanwhile, slightly over 2,000 pupils achieved a grade 9 in all three reformed subjects â a figure that was more than double that number last year at around 6,500, indicating the increased difficulty to achieve the top grade under the new system.< eod>< sod > Among pupils in England, slightly more than 2,000 pupils achieved a grade 9 in all three reformed subjects, compared with 6,500 who achieved the top A* mark last year â Â marking a drop of more than 50 per cent achieving the highest grade under the new system.< eod>