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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| NI students top of A-level class | NI students top of A-level class |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Northern Ireland A-Level students have again outperformed those in England and Wales, with 35.4% gaining an A grade compared to the 25.9% overall figure. | Northern Ireland A-Level students have again outperformed those in England and Wales, with 35.4% gaining an A grade compared to the 25.9% overall figure. |
| Despite fears of declining interest in science subjects, Biology was the most popular A-Level with 10.9% studying it. | Despite fears of declining interest in science subjects, Biology was the most popular A-Level with 10.9% studying it. |
| Girls again outperformed boys, but the gap between those achieving A grades this year narrowed from 3.9% to 2.5%. | Girls again outperformed boys, but the gap between those achieving A grades this year narrowed from 3.9% to 2.5%. |
| Students disappointed by their results were advised by the Careers Service not | |
| to make any hasty decisions. | |
| Careers advisor Margaret McGuigan said students should be careful if they did not get the grades they wanted. | Careers advisor Margaret McGuigan said students should be careful if they did not get the grades they wanted. |
| "They feel they just need to take a course, for the sake of a course. We would utter a word of caution, just try not to make hasty decisions," she said. | "They feel they just need to take a course, for the sake of a course. We would utter a word of caution, just try not to make hasty decisions," she said. |
| Students who want to query a grade can ask for a remark. Last year, about 200 students got higher grades after paying for a remark, but applications must be made by 22 August. | Students who want to query a grade can ask for a remark. Last year, about 200 students got higher grades after paying for a remark, but applications must be made by 22 August. |
| Traditional subjects | Traditional subjects |
| Northern Ireland's awarding body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CEA), said traditional subjects remained the most popular. | Northern Ireland's awarding body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CEA), said traditional subjects remained the most popular. |
| Biology was the most commonly taken subject, followed by English, Mathematics, History and Religious Studies. | Biology was the most commonly taken subject, followed by English, Mathematics, History and Religious Studies. |
| There was a increase in Chemistry and Biology entries, while Physics remained constant, CEA said. | There was a increase in Chemistry and Biology entries, while Physics remained constant, CEA said. |
| Languages also continue to do well, the examinations body said, with increased entries in French and German and a slight decrease in Irish and Spanish. | Languages also continue to do well, the examinations body said, with increased entries in French and German and a slight decrease in Irish and Spanish. |
| Overall, the gap between girls and boys achieving A to E grades was just 0.5%. | Overall, the gap between girls and boys achieving A to E grades was just 0.5%. |
| The number of students receiving A-Level grades was 30,020, a slight decrease for the third year running. | The number of students receiving A-Level grades was 30,020, a slight decrease for the third year running. |
| Students or parents with concerns over results should contact CCEA's Exams Helpline on 028 9026 1260, email helpline@ccea.org.uk, or visit the frequently asked questions section of the CCEA website. | Students or parents with concerns over results should contact CCEA's Exams Helpline on 028 9026 1260, email helpline@ccea.org.uk, or visit the frequently asked questions section of the CCEA website. |