Press Release
Date: Wednesday 13th August 2003 (NR/15/03)
SOUND PERFORMANCE FROM NORTHERN IRELAND STUDENTS
Figures released today by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) show that Northern Ireland A level students continue to outperform their peers in England and Wales. This year’s results show that 28.5% of Northern Ireland A level entries achieved a grade A, 0.4% up on last year, and almost 7% ahead of the equivalent national figure of 21.6%.
The overall pass rate is also up, with 97.2% of all entries achieving an A – E grade as compared to 96.4% in 2002.
Once again girls continue to outperform boys across the majority of subjects with girls 4% ahead in the numbers achieving the top grade. The good news for boys is that the gap in the overall pass rate has closed once more with just 0.6% separating the sexes in the numbers achieving grades A – E. Northern Ireland boys and girls also outperform both sexes in England and Wales.
The figures released by CCEA also show that A levels are proving more popular than ever with a record 28,650 entries across all subjects.
CCEA Chief Executive Gavin Boyd, commenting on the figures said:
This is an excellent performance by our students and one about
which all in the community can be rightly proud. My congratulations and best
wishes go to all receiving results today and their families. A levels remain
a stern test of ability requiring rigorous and intensive study. Today’s
results reflect the fact that not only do our young people work very hard
but they are now better prepared, better supported and better resourced than
ever before. Our pupils also benefit greatly from a focused and professional
teaching force who truly are top of the class.
(more
During the last two months CCEA has marked and processed close to three quarters of a million scripts. I would like to pass on a personal note of thanks to the thousands of markers and assessors, most of whom are practising teachers, who are vital to this task. Without them the whole massive operation would grind to a halt.
Finally, I know that amid the celebrations there will be those who are disappointed or confused about the results they have received. I would urge them not to be disheartened and to talk with their parents and teachers about what to do next. CCEA can offer further explanation and advice regarding marks and grades and our helpline is now running 9 am - 5 pm until Friday 22 August. The helpline telephone number is: (028) 9026 1260. Queries can also be made via e-mail on helpline@ccea.org.uk
Students who have decide to cash-in for their AS levels also receive results today.
Overall there are 35,453 cash-ins with 28.3% of entries achieving a grade A and 93.3% achieving results in the A – E grade range. The Northern Ireland results are marginally down on last year but still well ahead of the equivalent national figures of 17.4% and 86.7%.
Results in vocational A and AS levels are also available today.
In Northern Ireland there was in general a steady rise in the number taking
these subjects:
Vocational A levels (single award)
This is normally taken after 2 years. 2880 candidates took sufficient exams to gain a qualification, 58.9% were female, and 41.1% male.
The largest entry subject was IT, 54.5%, of the total exams sat.
The pass rate for Vocational A levels (single award), A – E, was 85.4%, with 10.4% achieving grade A. The equivalent figures for 2002 were 80.6% achieving a pass, and 8.2% achieving grade A
Vocational A levels (double award)
2533 candidates gained a qualification. 55.9% were female, and 44.1% male.
The largest entry subject was Business Studies (27.5%) followed by Health and Social Care (20.8%).
The pass rate for Vocational A levels (double award), AA – EE was 86.3%, with 6.2% achieving grade AA. The equivalent figures for 2002 were 82.6% of entries achieving a pass and 2.3% achieving grade AA
Vocational AS levels
This is the third year of the new 3 unit qualification – only 4 subjects are available at present. There were 1055 results – 65.4% female and 34.6% male. The largest entry subject was IT (73.4%).
The pass rate for Vocational AS levels, A – E, was 89.3%, with 17.1% achieving grade A. In 2002 the pass rate (A – E) was 80.1%, with 13.4% achieving grade A.
2003 GCE A Level Results Analysis (2002 figures in brackets)
Please note the figures below are provisional and subject to enquiry and appeal
| 2003 | NATIONALLY | NI ONLY |
| ENTRIES | 750,537 (701,380) | 28650 (27,853) |
| %A | 21.6 (20.7) | 28.5 (28.1) |
| %A - E | 95.4 (94.3) | 97.2 (96.4 ) |
In Northern Ireland:
- 28650 A Level Cash ins
- 97.2% passed (grades A – E), with 28.5% at grade A
- Females outperform males by 4% at Grade A ( 30.2% female, 26.2% male)
- Females outperform males by 0.6% at Grades A-E (97.4% female, 96.8% male)
The five most popular A level subjects cashed-in in Northern Ireland are :
| OVERALL | MALES | FEMALES | |
| 1 | Biology (10%) | Mathematics (10.8%) | English Literature (12.5%) |
| 2 | English Literature (9.7%) | Geography (8.8%) | Biology (11%) |
| 3 | Geography (8%) | Biology (8.5%) | Geography (7.4%) |
| 4 | Mathematics (8%) | Physics (8.4%) | Religious Studies (7.1%) |
| 5 | History (6.7%) | Computing (7.2%) | History (6.3%) |
2003 GCE AS Level Results Analysis (2002 figures in brackets)
| 2003 | NATIONALLY | NI ONLY |
| ENTRIES | 1,030,919 (995,404) | 35,453 (36,883) |
| %A | 17.4 (18.0) | 28.3 (29.2) |
| %A - E | 86.7 (86.5) | 93.3 (93.9) |
In Northern Ireland:
- 35453 AS Cash ins
- 93.3% passed (grades A – E), with 28.3% at grade A
- Females outperform males by 3.5% at Grade A ( 29.7 female, 26.2% male)
- Females outperform males by 2.3% at Grades A-E (94.3% female, 92% male)
The five most popular AS subjects cashed-in in Northern Ireland are :
| OVERALL | MALES | FEMALES | |
| 1 | Biology (10.9%) | Mathematics (9.9%) | Biology (11.7%) |
| 2 | English Literature (9%) | Biology (9.7%) | English Literature (11.2%) |
| 3 | Mathematics 7.4%) | Physics (8.9%) | Religious Studies (6.7%) |
| 4 | Geography (6.8%) | Geography (7.4%) | Geography (6.4%) |
| 5 | History (6.8%) | Chemistry (7%) | Chemistry (6.4%) |
GENDER ISSUES – A LEVELS
| 2003 | NATIONALLY | NI ONLY | ||
| MALES | FEMALES | MALES | FEMALES | |
| %A | 20.0 | 22.9 | 26.2 | 30.2 |
| %A - E | 94.3 | 96.4 | 96.8 | 97.4 |
- Nationally the difference at grade A is 2.9%, in NI it is 4%
- Nationally the overall pass rate difference is 2.1%, in NI it is 0.6%.
- In NI, females are 7.3% ahead of the National figure at grade A, and 1% ahead at grades A – E. Males are ahead of the National figure at grade A by 6.2%, and 2.5% ahead at grades A – E.
GENDER ISSUES – AS LEVELS
| 2003 | NATIONALLY | NI ONLY | ||
| MALES | FEMALES | MALES | FEMALES | |
| %A | 15.6 | 18.9 | 26.2 | 29.7 |
| %A - E | 84.2 | 88.7 | 92.0 | 94.3 |
- Nationally the difference at grade A is 3.3%, in NI it is 3.5%
- Nationally the overall pass rate difference is 4.5%, in NI it is 2.3%,
- In NI, females are 10.8% ahead of the National figure at grade A, and 5.6% ahead at grades A – E. Males in NI are 10.6% ahead of the National figure at grade A and 7.8% ahead at grades A – E.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
