A day after nearly 57,000 mainly young adults received their Leaving Certificate results, A level students in the North found out how they did in their exams today.
Student in Northern Ireland outperformed their English and Welsh counterparts as they pulled even further ahead in the A-level stakes.
An impressive 35.4 per cent of students achieved A grades compared with a national figure of 25.9 per cent
- widening the gap from last year when the equivalent top pass rates were 33.2 per cent and 25.3 per cent.
On the A-E pass grades it was another first for Northern Ireland where 98.2 per cent hit the mark, compared with 97.2 per cent nationally — last year the totals were 98 per cent and 97.2 per cent respectively.
Anne Marie Duffy, director of qualifications at the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments, congratulated the students for their success.
She said: "The amount of work that is involved in preparing for A-level examinations cannot be underestimated.
"Students in Northern Ireland are to be congratulated for their exceptional performance this year and credit must be given to the teachers and parents who have supported them."
Ms Duffy added: "For many years now Northern Ireland students have outperformed their counterparts in England and Wales and this year is no exception. Now is the time to celebrate their results and look forward to the future."
PA