The percentage of top GCSE grades in Northern Ireland has fallen in the first year since formal examinations returned post-pandemic.While results are down compared to teacher-assessed grades issued during the Covid-19 crisis, they are up on pre-pandemic levels.The GCSEs completed in 2022 were different to those sat in 2019, with the overall assessment burden reduced to reflect the disruption to students' learning caused by the coronavirus emergency.

The percentage of top GCSE grades in Northern Ireland has fallen in the first year since formal examinations returned post-pandemic.While results are down compared to teacher-assessed grades issued during the Covid-19 crisis, they are up on pre-pandemic levels.The GCSEs completed in 2022 were different to those sat in 2019, with the overall assessment burden reduced to reflect the disruption to students' learning caused by the coronavirus emergency.