The percentage of top GCSE grades in Northern Ireland has fallen in the first year since formal examinations returned post-pandemic.
While results are down compared to teacher-assessed grades issued during the Covid-19 crisis, they are up on pre-pandemic levels.
The GCSEs completed in 2022 were different to those sat in 2019, with the overall assessment burden reduced to reflect the disruption to students’ learning caused by the coronavirus emergency.
Read more: GCSE results 2022: How to appeal your CCEA grade
The provisional figures released on Thursday show that in Northern Ireland 37% of GCSE entries were awarded the highest grades of A* to A, a 6.5 percentage point increase on 2019.
In 2021, almost 40% of students received the top marks in the teacher-assessment model. When exams were last sat in 2019, the percentage receiving top grades was 30.5%.
Ninety percent of students received grade C/4 and above. This was largely similar to 2020 and 2021, but up significantly from the 82.2% recorded in 2019.
The results for just under 30,000 students who took GCSE exams in Northern Ireland in 2022 were published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen praised the hard work and resilience of students.
“Congratulations to all our young people across Northern Ireland who have received GCSE results today,” she said.
“The outcomes are extremely positive, with 90% of students achieving grades A* to C. The success of our students is well-deserved and testament to their hard work and resilience following three years of disrupted learning. They should be rightly proud of their achievements.
“It is also important to recognise the incredible work of teachers across Northern Ireland in helping students prepare for examinations in a challenging learning environment.
“I wish to thank them for all they have done, as well as the families of students who have supported these young people throughout this important year.”
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