GCSE results: 32,000 students across Northern Ireland set to get their grades

It is understood marking in a number of subjects could be lower than previously

More than 32,000 students across Northern Ireland were set to get their GCSE results today (Thursday). Some students after last year's results.last year
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 22nd Aug 2024

More than 32,000 students across Northern Ireland were set to get their GCSE results today (Thursday).

It is expected, similar to last week's A-level results, the number of students receiving top grades could be lower than in recent years.

And exam board CCEA has indicated that grades overall will be lower than during the pandemic years, but directly comparable to those issued before 2020.

This year is the first full one without exceptional arrangements since before covid struck.

It has been described as marking the completion of the transition from measures put in place during the pandemic - such as the cancellation of exams, reduced assessment criteria and generous grading.

Last week, just over 26,000 students in Northern Ireland received A-level and AS-level results, with almost a third receiving a top A/A* grade.

This 30.3% was similar to the rate achieving A/A* grades in 2019 (29.4%), but down on the 37.5% rate in 2023 when some mitigations remained in place.