Commenting on the results Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said: “Congratulations to all the young people involved in achieving these excellent results. I believe they are the result of hard work and dedication of our students. They are also a credit to the professionalism and commitment of teachers and parents.
“If you did not achieve the grades you wanted, there are many avenues open to you and I urge you to explore these.
“I sincerely wish you all every success for the future, whether you decide to go to university, further education, training or employment and that you are leaving school with many years of happy memories with the skills, talents and enthusiasm needed to pursue a career of your choice. Tá an domhan mór ar aghaidh boise agaibh, agus molaim daoibh gach deis a thapú. Is tréimhse spreagúil é seo in Éirinn, agus caithfidh sibh a bheith rannpháirteach ann. (The world is your oyster and I urge you to take every opportunity open to you. This is an exciting time in Ireland and we need you to play your part.)”
98% of entries at A-level here have achieved pass grades, with 33.2% being awarded the top grade A. This is respectively a 0.3% and 0.8% increase on last year, demonstrating that high standards have been maintained.
Girls continue to outperform boys at A and AS levels, both locally and within England, Wales and the North of Ireland together. Overall, boys and girls undertaking A/AS levels and advanced vocational qualifications here continue to achieve higher grades than their counterparts in England and Wales.
Sir Reg Empey said: “These are excellent results and I wish all those who got the grades they required every success. Some may not have done as well as they hoped and I would reassure them by saying that there are many other options open to them.
“I would urge young people to seriously consider their future career plans now. In the changing world in which we live, our economy is undergoing resurgence and requires a skilled workforce to enable us to compete with our European neighbours. Not all these skills can be learned at university and equally fulfilling careers can be found outside the higher education route.
“It is vitally important at this juncture to seek and listen to good advice. My Department has professionally qualified Careers Advisers throughout Northern Ireland to offer impartial advice and guidance.
“These Advisers provide up-to-date information on a range of options and I would strongly advise those who are still uncertain about their future plans to avail of this free service.”
For those seeking information and advice on any issues relating to their exam results, contact your exam centre or the CCEA helpline on 028 9026 1260 or email helpline@ccea.org.uk. For those who did better or less well than expected, there may still be opportunities available through the UCAS clearing system and information, advice and guidance on what to do next is available from the Careers Service at 028 9044 1787 or at www.careersserviceni.com or the Aimhigher website at www.aimhigher.ac.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. All available statistics are provisional and are subject to appeals, re-marks and, in the case of AS Levels, the cashing-in of awards.
2. Figures for candidates in the North of Ireland cover all candidates, irrespective of the examining body with which the examinations were taken.
3. Media queries to: Press Office, Department of Education, Tel 028 9127 9207 or Press Office, Department for Employment and Learning, Tel 028 9025 7872
4. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
2007 GCE A Level results analysis (2006 figures in bracket):
| 2007 | England, Wales and the North of Ireland | North of Ireland only |
| ENTRIES | 805,657 (805,698) | 30,815 (31,237) |
| %A | 25.3 (24.1) | 33.2 (32.4) |
| %A - E | 96.9 (96.6) | 98.0 (97.7) |
- There was a 0.8% increase on 2006’s results at grade A and 0.3% at A-E here, compared to 1.2% and 0.3% in England, Wales and the North of Ireland together.
- The North of Ireland remains ahead of the figures in England, Wales and the North of Ireland together by 7.9% at grade A and 1.1% at A-E.
2007 GCE AS Level results analysis (2006 figures in bracket) (at the time of award):
| 2007 | England, Wales and the North of Ireland | North of Ireland only |
| ENTRIES | 1,114,424 (1,086,634) | 38,886 (38,099) |
| %A | 18.5 (18.4) | 32.8 (32.6) |
| %A - E | 87.8 (87.5) | 95.1 (94.7) |
- There was an increase of 0.2% on the 2006 results at grade A and 0.4% at grades A-E, compared to 0.1% and 0.3% in England, Wales and the North of Ireland together.
- The North of Ireland remains ahead of the figures in England, Wales and the North of Ireland together by 14.3% at grade A and 7.3% at A-E.
