Another improvement in GCSE results is expected when about 600,000 students receive their grades on Thursday.
Another improvement in GCSE results is expected as about 600,000 students receive their grades.
Last year 62.4% of the entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded grade C or above, with 19.1% given A* or A grades.
Last year 62.4% of the entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded grade C or above, with 19.1% given A* or A grades.
Analysts say schools in England have been under particular pressure to improve results in maths.
Analysts say schools in England have been under particular pressure to improve results in maths.
A further fall in those studying modern foreign languages is expected, with a rise in Arabic, Chinese and Polish.
A further fall in those studying modern foreign languages is expected, with a rise in Arabic, Chinese and Polish.
Northern Ireland is usually the top performing part of the UK, and girls' results will be better than boys', though boys have been closing the gap in recent years.
Northern Ireland is usually the top performing part of the UK, and girls' results will be better than boys', though boys have been closing the gap in recent years.
Last year the pass rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was 98.1%.
Last year the pass rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was 98.1%.
Top grades
Top grades
The statistics are published by the Joint Council for Qualifications - the umbrella group for all the main examination boards.
The statistics are published by the Joint Council for Qualifications - the umbrella group for all the main examination boards.
The Northern Ireland board CCEA delivered its results to students two days ago. These account for about 70% of the GCSEs taken in the province.
The Northern Ireland board CCEA delivered its results to students two days ago. These account for about 70% of the GCSEs taken in the province.
The government says its focus will remain on "getting the basics right".
The government says its focus will remain on "getting the basics right".
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "English and maths, in particular, are the bedrock of every child's education and lifelong learning and it is wholly correct that the greatest scrutiny is given to these subjects.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "English and maths, in particular, are the bedrock of every child's education and lifelong learning and it is wholly correct that the greatest scrutiny is given to these subjects.
"That is why we have introduced greater transparency to the published statistics, and from last year have published headline rates showing the proportion of pupils gaining five good GCSEs including English and maths.
"That is why we have introduced greater transparency to the published statistics, and from last year have published headline rates showing the proportion of pupils gaining five good GCSEs including English and maths.
"This new, sensible measure is helping to sharpen schools' focus on English and maths performance."
"This new, sensible measure is helping to sharpen schools' focus on English and maths performance."
There has been interest this year in the relative performance of the state and independent sectors in terms of the top grades.
There has been interest this year in the relative performance of the state and independent sectors in terms of the top grades.
Data from the exam boards shows that between 2000 and 2005 (the latest available), the proportion of GCSE entries from independent schools awarded A* or A grades rose from 47.1% to 51.7% (up 4.6 percentage points).
Data from the exam boards shows that between 2000 and 2005 (the latest available), the proportion of GCSE entries from independent schools awarded A* or A grades rose from 47.1% to 51.7% (up 4.6 percentage points).
This was an increase of just under 10% over the five years.
This was an increase of just under 10% over the five years.
In state grammar schools the rise was 6.5 points, from 43.3% to 49.8% - an increase of 15%.
In state grammar schools the rise was 6.5 points, from 43.3% to 49.8% - an increase of 15%.
In comprehensives, which account for the vast majority of entries, the rise was just 2.2 points, from 11.9% to 14.1% - but at more than 18% their rate of improvement was the greater.
In comprehensives, which account for the vast majority of entries, the rise was just 2.2 points, from 11.9% to 14.1% - but at more than 18% their rate of improvement was the greater.
Wider gap
Wider gap
In secondary moderns the increase was more than 42%, though in absolute terms the results were the poorest, up from 5.4% to 7.7% of entries.
In secondary moderns the increase was more than 42%, though in absolute terms the results were the poorest, up from 5.4% to 7.7% of entries.
In further education colleges there was actually a decline in the proportion A* and A grades of almost 11%, down from 9.3% of entries to 8.3%.
In further education colleges there was actually a decline in the proportion A* and A grades of almost 11%, down from 9.3% of entries to 8.3%.
In total there are likely to have been almost six million exam entries in 2007. The first collated figures on how well candidates have done - such as what proportion of them got the equivalent of five good GCSEs - are due in October. The 2007 school league tables in England, based on those figures, are due to be published next January.
In total there are likely to have been almost six million exam entries in 2007. The first collated figures on how well candidates have done - such as what proportion of them got the equivalent of five good GCSEs - are due in October. The 2007 school league tables in England, based on those figures, are due to be published next January.
Are you looking forward to getting your results? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Are you looking forward to getting your results? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
