Nearly one in five of the GCSEs set by the province's exam board this year has attracted an A* or A grade.

The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) says this is the result of hard work by candidates and not easier exam papers.

The percentage of A* grades awarded to candidates rose from 3.4% in 1997 to 4.4% this year, with those gaining an A* or A also increasing from 18.5% to 19.2%.

The proportion of A* to C grades has fallen slightly from 68.1% last year to 67.7%, but is still above the 1996 mark.

The CCEA is releasing the results more than a week ahead of its English and Welsh counterparts to provide schools in Northern Ireland with more time to organise sixth form classes.

Around 20% of the GCSE exams taken in the province were not set by the CCEA. Those candidates will receive their results next week.

Standards

Although performance has improved, the council's Chief Executive, Catherine Coxhead, says the standard required to achieve these grades remains the same.

"I would like to assure the whole community in Northern Ireland that the improvements we are seeing today are the result of hard work and determination by students and their teachers and not because of any easing of standards," she said.

"This is a time for students, parents and their teachers to enjoy what has been achieved.

"I am sure that the entire community in Northern Ireland will join me in congratulating our GCSE students and wishing them every success as they move on to the next stage of their careers."