Northern Secretary Peter Hain has congratulated students following publication of the final batch of General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) results.
They showed that Northern Ireland 16-year-olds have continued to outperform their equivalents in England and Wales.
The percentage of candidates achieving grades A*, B or C, rose slightly while the share of entrants gaining a grade A* or A was at 24.3 per cent compared to a fifth of students in Britain who attained the same grades.
Nearly 72 per cent of candidates attained at least a C. The UK-wide equivalent was 62.4 per cent.
Mr Hain said the GCSE results show that Northern Ireland has the talent needed to succeed on the global stage.
The bulk of results were posted to candidates earlier this week with the final 30 per cent of marks issued yesterday.
Referring to the planned abolition of the controversial 11-plus schools transfer test, Mr Hain added: "These results represent success across the board in Northern Ireland's education system. The new arrangements for post-primary education will build on this success, raising standards for every child.
"The revised curriculum will give pupils a greater choice of academic and vocational qualifications, harnessing talents to produce the skills needed for the 21st century economy."
Northern pupils continued to score higher grades in core subjects such as English and maths.