2025 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination Results - Media Briefing by the Commissioner General of Examinations

The full details of the press conference held today (20) by the Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Kumari Liyanage, regarding the 2025 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination results, are as follows.

The results of the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination for the year 2025 were released online at midnight on June 19th. The examination was held from February 17th to 26th, with 3,547 examination centers operating island-wide. A total of 451,719 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 382,480 school candidates and 79,239 private candidates. Considering the number of candidates who actually appeared for the examination, a total of 405,015 candidates sat for the examination, including 359,883 school candidates and 45,132 private candidates. 

For the first time in this examination, the number of students who appeared for five or more subjects is 308,562, which accounts for 99.91% of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination. Among them, 225,748 students qualified for the Advanced Level, which is 73.16% as a percentage. The number of school candidates who obtained 'A' passes for all subjects is 11,651, which is 3.7% as a percentage. Similarly, 139 private candidates also obtained 'A' passes for all subjects. Accordingly, the total number of candidates who obtained 'A' passes for all subjects is 11,790, which is 3.57% as a percentage of all private and school candidates.

It must also be mentioned that there is a number of children who failed all subjects. Among school candidates who appeared for the examination for the first and second time, 7,419 children failed all subjects. This is 2.36% as a percentage. Last year, too, the number of children who failed all subjects in this examination was close to this value. Percentages of children who qualified for the Advanced Level by province:

Southern Province: 75.56%

Western Province: 74.42%

Eastern Province: 74.42%

Sabaragamuwa Province: 74.31%

Central Province: 73.98%

Uva Province: 71.34%

North Western Province: 70.69%

Northern Province: 70.00%

North Central Province: 68.39%

Including all provinces, the overall percentage of children who appeared for the examination for the first time and qualified for the Advanced Level is 73.16%. Pass percentages by subject:

Islam: 89.56%

Catholicism: 89.10%

Tamil Language and Literature: 87.60%

Sinhala Language and Literature: 87.03%

Christianity: 86.35%

Buddhism: 84.81%

Shaivism: 84.34%

History: 81.93%

English Language: 73.57%

Mathematics: 72.03%

Science: 70.11%

It is particularly noteworthy this time that the achievement level of students in Science and Mathematics among those who sat for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination has increased compared to last year. This year's pass percentage for Science is 70.11%, whereas in the 2022 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination, it was 69.07%. Similarly, the pass percentage for Mathematics in the 2023 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination is 72.03%. In 2022, the pass percentage for Mathematics was 71.6%.

Notably, the pass percentage for both Second Language Tamil and Second Language Sinhala has increased this time. The pass percentage for Second Language Tamil this year is 97.51%, compared to 95.71% last year. Similarly, the pass percentage for Second Language Sinhala in the 2023 G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination is 91.3%. In the 2022 examination, it was recorded as 90.21%.

Facilities have been provided for children to view and download the results of this year's G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination from the official website of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka. Results can be viewed and downloaded through the websites www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lk of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, all principals can download the examination results sheet relevant to their school by using the username and password provided to them via the official website of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka. Similarly, all provincial and zonal education directors can also download the results using their provided username and password.

In addition, we are providing candidates with the opportunity for re-scrutiny of these examination results. Accordingly, applications for re-scrutiny can be submitted online from June 25th to July 8th.

This time, we will not officially announce the names of students who achieved merit island-wide in the examination. Since this examination is conducted to assess the achievement level of students who have completed their education in grades 10 and 11 of the senior secondary section based on fundamental criteria, and to help children decide on qualifying for Advanced Level studies, as the Department of Examinations, we will not publicize their names.

We have facilitated the online application for examination result certificates through the official website of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, and the delivery of certificates directly to homes. I urge all candidates who wish to obtain their official examination result statement to use this online facility to apply for certificates through the Department of Examinations website and have them delivered to their homes by post. There is no need to visit the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, to obtain certificates; I remind the children to use this online facility.

I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the entire staff of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, to all the children who achieved high results in this examination and qualified to study in Advanced Level classes. Furthermore, there are some children who failed one or all subjects. To those children, I say, do not be discouraged by this at all. Attending school daily is very important. Resolve to attend school daily, study the subject matter taught very well, and appear for the examination once again. I wish those children the strength and courage needed to successfully pass that examination next year.

Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude at this moment to the Hon. Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, as well as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and the Secretary of that Ministry, Mr. Nalaka Karunaratne, who constantly encouraged us and provided necessary instructions to the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, from the beginning of all activities of this General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level Examination until now.

Similarly, I extend my thanks to all provincial education directors, zonal education directors, principals, and staff who supported the conduct of this examination island-wide, and to the Additional Commissioner General of Examinations and all other Commissioners of Examinations, Deputy Commissioners of Examinations, Assistant Commissioners of Examinations, and the entire staff of the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, who dedicated themselves to making this endeavor successful.

Furthermore, I extend my respectful thanks at this moment to the Sri Lanka Police for providing police protection to all examination centers and coordination centers during the examination, to the Tri-Forces for their various forms of assistance, and to the Director of the Disaster Management Centre and various other divisions who consistently provide necessary assistance to the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, during disaster situations, for their cooperation in making these examination activities successful. Thank you very much.

----------------------
The question and answer session conducted by the Commissioner General of Examinations with the journalists who attended this discussion is as follows.

Question: Madam, how does the re-scrutiny process work? 

Answer: Yes, applications for re-scrutiny can only be made online. The period for this is from June 25th to July 8th. I also remind applicants at this time that this period will not be extended under any circumstances. Therefore, care must be taken to submit applications only through the online method.

Question: There are result suspensions, aren't there? 

Answer: Yes, there are a certain number of result suspensions. One reason for this is specifically that children did not bring their identity cards when appearing for the examination. Appearing for examinations at examination centers without a proper identity card, and also, we inform the public through the media about the examination rules and regulations that candidates must follow before the examination begins. Principals and invigilators at examination centers also inform the children about this.

Despite such awareness, it must be stated with regret that the examination results of these children have had to be suspended due to engaging in examination malpractices such as violating examination rules by possessing mobile phones or notes, or exchanging question papers or answer scripts with others. The total number of children whose results were completely suspended is 314, and due to various examination malpractices and other reasons, the results of one or several subjects for another 134 children have been suspended.

Question: Now, a recurring accusation is that it took longer to release the examination results this time. Was there actually such a delay? Or was it as usual? What actually happened there? 

Answer: It must be stated that there has been no delay in releasing the examination results. Normally, it takes about four months to release the results of a G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination, and this has been the case in previous years as well. However, this time, when we released the results yesterday, only 3 months and 21 days had passed since the examination was held. Therefore, there has been no special delay.

Because the process of preparing these examination results is carried out very accurately, as a result of a large process to ensure fairness to all candidates. A specific time is required for this, and I would like to remind you at this time that there has been no special delay other than the time taken to complete all those processes.

Question: According to some information we received, we learned that you face severe difficulties because children appearing for the examination try to change examination centers at the last moment. Does such a situation actually arise? 

Answer: Yes, actually, as soon as we issue admission cards to examination candidates, we provide a grace period. Both school and private candidates have this time to revise any changes or errors in their subject numbers, subjects they are appearing for, or mediums. Also, if there is a need to change an examination center for a valid reason, we investigate the matter and provide the necessary facilities after the Department of Examinations is officially informed.

However, despite this, some candidates act very carelessly. Even though the admission card was sent two weeks before the examination, they do not read it and pay attention, and on the morning of the examination day, they go to the hall and say, "This is not the subject or medium I am writing," requesting other subjects. Such situations arise due to their carelessness.

Furthermore, there are children who go to examination centers not assigned to them and appear for the examination without any approval or notification from the Department of Examinations. Because children do not follow examination instructions in this manner, a significant amount of time has to be spent re-checking and correcting these during the result preparation process.

Therefore, I would like to remind you at this time that if, after the grace period we provide, actions such as changing centers, changing subjects or subject numbers, or requesting to appear for unapplied subjects are taken, their examination results will be suspended. All candidates must pay close attention to this.

Question: You yourself mentioned that there are some whose examination results have been completely suspended. What is the message you have for the children who are going to face future examinations regarding this? 

Answer: The message that should be given to these children is to pay attention to the rules and regulations that must be followed at an examination center, as well as the items that must be brought to the examination. Especially, a recognized identity document such as a National Identity Card, a valid driving license, or a valid passport must be brought to confirm one's identity.

The Department for Registration of Persons has provided facilities for children studying in Grade 10 to obtain a National Identity Card after completing 15 years of age. However, some candidates did not pay attention to this and appeared for this year's examination without a National Identity Card. Therefore, I remind you to prepare your National Identity Card before the examination and to go to the examination hall with an identity document approved by the Department of Examinations.

Furthermore, it is essential to get your signature certified on the admission card before the examination. Although identity and signature must be confirmed as per the instructions given on the back of the admission card, result suspensions have occurred due to appearing for the examination without doing so. Therefore, certifying the signature on the admission card and carrying a recognized identity document are mandatory.

In addition, only pens, pencils, and erasers required for writing should be brought into the examination hall, and we remind you in every examination not to bring correction fluid, electronic devices, mobile phones, or any other notes whatsoever. Although principals at the school level and invigilators in the examination hall inform about this, some candidates violate the rules. I hope that all candidates appearing for future examinations will face the examination without such problems, by properly following all instructions given.

Question: Can you give us a small update on the Advanced Level (A/L) examination as well? 

Answer: Yes, arrangements are being made to hold the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination for the year 2023 from August 10th to September 5th. The examination timetable for this has also been published by now. That examination is scheduled to be held properly as planned.

Similarly, arrangements have been made to hold the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination island-wide on August 9th. The General Information Technology (GIT) examination for Grade 12 students is scheduled to be held on October 24th.

The next G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination is scheduled to be held from December 8th to 17th in the year 2024, and arrangements have been made to call for applications for it in the first week of July. I think that information will be sufficient. We can think so.