GCSE results Day in Pictures: 23 images showing all emotions on display this morning around Northern Ireland

Almost one-third of GCSE entries in Northern Ireland have been awarded the top A* and A grades.

More than 32,000 students in Northern Ireland received their GCSEs on Thursday morning and some vocational qualification results like BTEC's.

The pass rate in Northern Ireland (C grade and above) has gone up from 82.7% to 83.5%, while 31.8% of GCSE entries were awarded A* or A. That compares to 31% in 2024.

Results have returned to levels similar to those before the Coronavirus pandemic when exams were cancelled.

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Pacemaker Press 21-08-2025: Pupil Abdelmoniem Salman with dad Taysier Salman and mom Sarah Mohamedkhier at Grosvenor Grammar School in Belfast celebrate getting GCSE results. Photo: pacemaker