The General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) Examination is one of the most important milestones in a Sri Lankan student’s academic journey, shaping their chances of securing a place in a State university.
The 2023 (2024) A/L Exam, held in January of last year (2024), marked another important year for thousands of students across the country. With disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic still affecting the academic calendar, the 2023 (2024) Exam saw notable shifts in student performance, university eligibility rates, and subject-wise trends.
According to the Department of Examinations, the 2023 (2024) A/L Examination was held from 4-31 January 2024. The scheduling of this crucial examination had been affected in previous years due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to adjustments in the usual exam calendar.
The A/L Examination is one of the most significant and competitive exams in Sri Lanka, as it determines university admissions under the free education system.
General overview of results
A total of 269,613 candidates sat for the 2023 (2024) A/L Examination. Of them, 64.33% achieved the minimum eligibility for university admission. Notably, 10,484 candidates (3.89%) obtained three A passes. However, 27,970 candidates (10.37%) failed all subjects.
Among the total candidates, 229,057 were school applicants. Of these, 151,343 students qualified for university entrance with at least three passes. Compared to the previous year (2022), the number of school candidates sitting for the A/L Exam decreased by 3,740. The university admission eligibility rate for school candidates stood at 66.07%. Additionally, 9,854 school candidates (4.30%) secured three A passes — a noticeable increase compared to recent years.
Failure rate and alternative paths
A concerning statistic is the number of students who failed all three subjects. Among school candidates, 21,570 (9.42%) did not pass any subjects, making them ineligible for university admission under the free education system. This highlights the importance of providing alternative education and training opportunities for these students. Fortunately, Sri Lanka offers numerous vocational education and skills development programmes, and candidates are encouraged to explore these pathways through various public and digital platforms.
Provincial distribution
The Western Province had the highest number of candidates sitting for the exam, with 69,358 students. Of these, 45,002 qualified for university admission, making it the Province with the highest number of eligible candidates. However, it also recorded the highest number of students failing all subjects (7,053). In the Northern Province, 13,172 candidates took the exam. Of them, 8,841 (67.12%) qualified for university entrance, while 517 students (3.92%) obtained three A passes. However, 1,350 students (10.25%) failed all subjects.
Performance by subject stream
The A/L Examination consists of seven main subject streams: Bio Science, Physical Science, Commerce, Arts, Engineering Technology, Bio Systems Technology, and the Common (None) stream. With regard to the student performance across these streams: the Arts stream - 65,783 students qualified for university admission (66.78%). The highest number of students with three A passes also came from this stream (4,158 candidates/4.22%). However, 6,730 candidates failed all subjects; the Commerce stream - 39,035 students (68.52%) qualified for university admission, making it the second-highest in terms of eligibility; the Bio Systems Technology stream - This stream had the highest percentage of candidates qualifying for university (76.12%); the Bio Science stream - While popular, it recorded the highest number of students failing all subjects (7,798); and the Physical Science stream - Ranked third in terms of three A passes, showing strong academic performance.
Gender-based analysis
More female candidates took the A/L Exam than male candidates. However, male students dominated the Physical Science, Engineering Technology, and Common (None) streams. Despite this, female students had a higher overall university entrance eligibility rate. Interestingly, male candidates outperformed in university eligibility within the Physical Science, Engineering Technology, and Common (None) streams.
Performance in specific subjects
General English, a compulsory subject for all students, with 240,034 candidates sitting for the exam. Of them, 141,844 passed, while 98,190 failed. Physics - 82,970 students sat for the exam, with a pass rate of 72.16% (60,325 students). However, 23,645 students failed (28.16%). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - 37,364 students took the subject, with a pass rate of 77.19%. Higher Mathematics - Only three students sat for this subject, and all of them passed, making it the subject with the highest pass rate (100%). Drama and Theatre (English) - No students took this subject in 2023 (2024).
University eligibility by province and district
The Western Province had the highest number of students qualifying for university in the Bio Science stream (62.39%). The Southern Province led in university eligibility for the Physical Science stream (62.99%). The Western Province also had the highest university eligibility rate for the Commerce stream (71.03%). The Northern Province had the highest percentage of students qualifying for university in the Arts stream (73.50%). The Sabaragamuwa Province had the highest eligibility rate in the Bio Systems Technology stream (80.28%). The Northern Province led in the Common (None) stream, with 51.90% of candidates qualifying for university.
When looking at the District-level performance, the Mannar District recorded the highest percentage of candidates qualifying for university (73.43%). The Mullaitivu District ranked second (70.02%), followed by the Jaffna District, the Batticaloa District, and the Colombo District (68.51%). The Polonnaruwa District had the lowest university eligibility rate (58.08%).
The statistics from the 2023 (2024) A/L Examination provides insights into student performance and trends in education. While a significant portion of students qualified for university, the high failure rates in some streams highlights areas that need attention. Policymakers and educators can use this data to improve education strategies, ensuring that students who do not qualify for university have access to alternative pathways such as vocational and technical education. Addressing these gaps will be key to strengthening Sri Lanka’s education system and creating opportunities for all students.
(The writer is a Lecturer and Head of the Department of ICT at the Uva Wellassa University)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication