ALMOST one in 10 GCSE entrants have achieved top grades in Northern Ireland.
Pupils here have also outperformed their counterparts in England and Wales again this year with figures showing continued high performance in the north.
Around 30,000 pupils received their exams results yesterday with rising numbers earning grades C or better.
Overall, the number of entries awarded A* to C grades in Northern Ireland increased by 0.7 percentage points to 78.7 per cent.
The proportion receiving A* rose by 0.1 per cent to 9 per cent compared to 2014.
Levels of performance in English and maths continued to rise - boys showed notable improvement - but girls were still ahead.
The percentage of boys achieving A*- C rose a full percentage point in 2015 to 75.1 per cent.
However, girls are still well ahead in GCSE performance, with 82.2 per cent of all female entries gaining the A*- C grades, up 0.5 percentage points on last year.
The proportion of entries in Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has grown by 3 per cent.
Overall the number of entries for languages fell in 2015 with the exception of Spanish which rose by 7 per cent.
Justin Edwards, chief executive of Northern Ireland's awarding organisation, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), said: "This year's results show a steady improvement in A*-C grades.
"Importantly the grades in English and mathematics have continued to build on the good performance of recent years.
"The general pattern of growth in Stem subjects that emerged last week at A level is repeated in today's GCSE figures. This is underpinned by notable growth in mathematics and ICT.
"It's also encouraging to see the improved performance of males this year, closing the gender gap at grades A*-C."
Stormont education minister John O'Dowd said he was pleased with the performance of young men and the growing popularity of key subjects including English, maths and ICT.
"These subjects offer a firm foundation for a range of careers choices and I expect will be welcome news for those in the business sector seeking young people to join their industry," he said.
