This year's 11-plus results have been delivered on Saturday to pupils throughout Northern Ireland.

A total of 17, 063 pupils took the 2000/2001 tests which determine whether they will be to attend the school of their choice next year.

The results have shown that a total of 6,420 pupils were awarded the top 'A' grade.

There were 1,316 pupils who received a B1 grade with 1,305 scoring a B2.

The number who received a C1 was 1,458 with a total of 1,461 achieving a C2.

A total of 5,103 pupils were awarded a D grade.

Grades

The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum (CCEA) is responsible for developing and setting the tests and determining the grades.

According to the CCEA, grade A is awarded to the top 25% of the entire age group eligible to sit the tests.

B1 is awarded to the next five per cent, B2 to the next five per cent and so on until grade D. Grade D is awarded to the balance.

The CCEA said that parents should contact their school principal if they are concerned about the grade issued to their children.

If necessary, the principal can arrange for a re-mark to be carried out by CCEA.

The closing date for the receipt of requests for re-marks from school principals is Friday 2 March 2001.

A review body is currently looking at the selection procedure.

It is due to report its recommendations to the Northern Ireland Minister for Education, Martin McGuinness, by the end of May.

But any major changes are likely to take a number of years to implement.