NOTTINGHAM has fallen down the national rankings for its performance in A-levels.
The average point score of the students who sat exams in the summer of 2012 was 719.1.
This left the city in 55th place of the 147 local education authorities where the exams were taken.
In 2011, the city was in 28th position, with an average score of 746.1. In 2009, it reached 14th in the country.
Councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for children's services at the city council, has said the authority is pleased with its results for post-16 education, as well as for GCSEs.
He previously expressed an ambition to continue to drive up the already high A-level standards in the city.
He said: "Schools and colleges in the city are able to attract top students. We hope to be able to continue this in the future."
The results were made up of both schools and colleges, with schools tending to pick up the better results.
The exception to this was Bilborough College, where the average point score was 853.8. Only the boys' and girls' high schools picked up better results than the college.
Point scores are based on the grades students obtain.
For example, an A is worth 270 points, a B is 240 and a C is 210.
Unlike GCSE results, the city out-performed the county at A-levels, a trend which has become familiar over recent years.
The county's average point score per student was 694, down from 727.2 in 2011.
However, the county moved up the league table, from 90th in 2011 to 85th last year.
Becket School, West Bridgford School and George Spencer Academy were among the top performers at A-level, with average scores of 1,036.9, 986.1 and 884.2 respectively.
Councillor Philip Owen, Notts County Council committee chairman for children and young people's services, said: "We still have a lot to do in order to improve our national standing.
"At some schools, for example, there have already been some big gains in the percentage of students achieving higher grades.
"Up until 18 months ago, it was the Learning and Skills Council which was responsible for A-level standards rather than the county council. I'm confident though that with the ongoing programme of academy conversions, the input of external academy sponsors and our partnering of strong schools with weaker ones, we will continue to drive up standards further."