Students achieving top A* and A grades at A-level in Northern Ireland has fallen, but grades remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Around 26,000 students across the north are today receiving their A-level and AS results.
Exam chiefs have said the results reflect the continuing journey back to pre-pandemic grading levels, with this year's grades still higher than those achieved in the final year before Covid-19 disrupted examinations.
In A-levels, 11.6 per cent of pupils across the north achieved an A* grade (down from 14.5 per cent last year) and 37.5 per cent achieved an A* or A grade (down from 44 per cent last year).
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In total, 98.8 per cent of students achieved grades A* to E (down from 99.1 per cent last year).
Northern Ireland has the highest percentage of students who secured the top grades - A and A* - of all UK regions.
Biology replaces Mathematics as the top A-level choice for the first time in nine years.
Male students achieved a slightly higher rate of A* grades than females, although girls had a higher overall pass rate.
The number of A-level examination entries in Northern Ireland increased by 1.3 per cent to 32,925 from 32,506 last year.
Over a third of A-level entries continue to be in Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Figures also show that 33.5 per cent of AS students achieved grade A this year, with 97.5 per cent receiving A-E grade.
Results are higher than pre-pandemic years, but lower than in 2022.
This year's results saw exam bodies continue the route back towards normal awarding arrangements, which were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and public health measures.
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), Northern Ireland's exam board, has again this year taken account of the impact of Covid-19.
In 2020 and 2021 there were no exams and teacher-assessed grades were issued instead.
When exams returned last year students had the option to omit a unit of assessment in most subjects.
This year students were provided with advance information on some topics in the majority of exams.
Examiners were also told to be mindful of disruption caused by the pandemic when considering overall student performance.
Exam boards are expected to return to pre-pandemic standards in awarding qualifications by summer 2024.
Students who sat A-levels this year did not sit GCSEs which were cancelled during the pandemic.
Most of the A-levels sat in Northern Ireland were from CCEA, while others sat exams set by other boards across the UK.
Scores of students are also receiving BTec results and vocational qualifications.
Gerry Campbell, CCEA chief executive, said: “My congratulations to the thousands of students across Northern Ireland who received their results today.
"These young people are to be praised and admired for the resilience and hard work they have demonstrated throughout their studies.
"I would also like to thank and pay tribute to Northern Ireland’s school leaders, teachers and lecturers for the support, guidance and dedication that they provided for their students over the last year.
"In addition, I want to recognise the valuable and important work that examiners and moderators have carried out this year to enable students to get their results.
"On behalf of everyone at CCEA, I wish all students the very best for the next steps in their journey.”
Dr Graham Gault, director of school leaders' union NAHT NI, said it was important not to attempt to compare exam results with previous years.
"Although we are seeing different A-level results this year, this is not a reflection of the achievements of students, but simply a result of continued moves back towards pre-pandemic grading models," he said.
"The numbers are a reflection of the system and not the students.
"Universities, employers and other providers know this and should take this into account when making decisions on places and offers."
CCEA has set up a dedicated results helpline to offer advice and guidance for students receiving their results.
The helpline will open at 8am on results day and will be in operation after that on Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm, until August 30.
Anyone with queries regarding CCEA's results can call 028 9026 1260, or email helplineccea.org.uk.
