Maths more popular as gap closes between girls and boys at top A-level grade

Mathematics has grown in popularity in Northern Ireland as more students gear up for the jobs market, A-level results showed.

The gap between the top performing girls and boys overall has closed at the highest A* grade.

Performance levels remained strong and stable with 7.7% of entries receiving an A*, up 0.1% on last year.

Female students outperformed boys across the grades but boys continued to close the gap at the highest grade, rising 0.1% to 7.5%.

The number of entries in mathematics rose this year by 1.4% and was the most popular subject with the highest levels of achievement.

Anne Marie Duffy, director of qualifications in Northern Ireland, said: "It is a very desirable subject for entry to university for engineering and for business qualifications and it is one of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

"People make individual choices based on where their career aspirations lie."

The overall A level pass rate in Northern Ireland is 98.2% "It's a good day for NI" says director of CCEA @qnewsdesk

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A recent survey by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry found half of businesses felt a skills mismatch/shortage was hampering economic and business growth and few believed young people were receiving enough support when making their choices.

Today's results showed participation in STEM subjects remained popular, with a growth in participation by girls in ICT, mathematics, biology and chemistry. There was also an increase in the number of students choosing business studies.

Overall, the tally of entries for A-level decreased this year by 1.7% in line with falling school populations.

There were notable drops in the number of entries in music, religious studies, drama and art and design.

Justin Edwards, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland’s awarding organisation, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) said:

“The A-Level examination results, received by many students across Northern Ireland today, are recognition and reward for hard-work and a commitment to learning. My best wishes go to all those receiving results, and I wish you the best for whatever you choose to do next.

"Overall Northern Ireland has performed well in comparison to other regions of the UK.

"Results at the highest grades have risen a small amount and there is stability across all the grades. Northern Ireland is fortunate to have dedicated and focused teachers and lecturers, who play a key role in the success of Northern Ireland learners." he added.

More than 28,000 pupils received their A-level and AS-level results on Thursday.

The number of A-level entries was 31,828, and the proportion of entrants receiving A* or A grades rose by 0.2% on the previous year, with almost 30% receiving the high marks.

Maths, biology, history, English and religious studies were the five most popular subjects.

For the third year the proportion of entries for media/film/television subjects has increased - up 3.6%.

The number of students staying at school after the age of 16 to take A-levels has risen.

Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir said Northern Irish students had outperformed their counterparts in England and Wales.

"Worthy of note is the level of participation in Stem subjects, which remain popular, with a growth in female participation in subjects such as mathematics and computing.

"Employers continue to tell us about the growing need for students with science, technology, engineering and maths subjects and this year entries in a number of Stem subjects from female students have increased."