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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Anxious moments for parents and pupils Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker

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Anxious moments for parents and pupils Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker

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PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/8/2025:Hugs all round for Belfast Royal Academical Institution pupils as they received their GCSE results on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker

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PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/8/2025: Belfast Royal Academical Institution Principal, Miss Williamson, congratulates the school's top GCSE students Daire Dunne (8A*s and 2 As) and Reuben Gibson 7A*s and 3 As). Also included is Reuben's Mum, Leeanne. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker

