More than 300 year 13 students across the island’s five state secondary schools received their results yesterday (Thursday).

The island’s overall A level pass rate this year - being grades A* to E - was 98.4%. This was said to be in line with previous years.

A total of 42% of students achieved higher grades of A* to B.

This is down from 51.1% last year but is in line with previous years, the Department of Education, Sport and Culture said.

The pupils entered for 900 full Level 3 qualifications in more than 50 subjects.

Performance was ’particularly strong’, the department said, in mathematics, history, geography and art and design A levels, as well as in agriculture, sport and ICT BTEC Level 3s.

Several students achieved ’outstanding results’, gaining three or more grade A* and A or equivalent passes.

Education Minister Graham Cregeen said: ’I would like to congratulate all pupils receiving results today as these outcomes represent two years’ of concerted effort with learning on the part of pupils and significant support from both staff and parents.’

He thanked teaching staff for their hard work and ’on-going support and care of these young people during this key transition period in their lives’.

â?¢ See next week’s Isle of Man Examiner for four pages of A-level coverage. It will be in shops on Tuesday (August 20).