176,527 Eligible to Apply for University Admission
03-Apr-2026.
With the official release of the 2024 GCE Advanced Level examination results, Commissioner General of Examinations Indika Kumari Liyanage announced that 176,527 candidates are eligible to apply for university admission.
She said the examination, which was delayed due to Cyclone Dithwa and adverse weather conditions, recorded an overall pass rate of 62.64%. She also noted that, as in previous years, female students have achieved higher success rates in most subject streams.
She made these remarks at a press conference held at the auditorium of the Department of Examinations in Colombo.
She stated that the 2024 (2025) GCE A/L results were officially released on 1 April. The examination was originally scheduled to be held from 10 November to 5 December 2025. However, due to adverse weather and the impact of Cyclone Dithwa, certain postponed subjects were conducted later from 12 January to 20 January 2026.
The examinations were held at 2,362 centres islandwide, and all practical examinations were completed by 16 March.
Eligible for University Admission
A total of 336,697 candidates applied for the examination, including 245,888 school candidates and 90,809 private candidates. However, only 281,810 candidates sat for the examination.
Out of them, 176,527 candidates have qualified to apply for university admission, representing 62.64% of those who sat for the examination.
Among school candidates, 146,405 qualified, representing 66.12%. Among private candidates, 30,122 qualified.
8,300 Achieve 3 ‘A’ Passes
A total of 8,300 candidates obtained three ‘A’ passes, including 7,477 school candidates and 823 private candidates.
In the Biology stream, 59.56% of school candidates qualified, while the overall qualification rate in the stream was 58.43%.
In the Physical Science stream, 63.96% of school candidates and 61.59% of private candidates passed.
In the Commerce stream, 72.02% of school candidates and 66.29% of private candidates qualified.
In the Arts stream, 67.57% of school candidates and 63.57% of private candidates passed.
In the Engineering Technology stream, 64.85% of school candidates and 62.65% of private candidates qualified.
In the Biosystems Technology stream, 71.76% of school candidates qualified, while the overall qualification rate was 76.24%.
For all other streams, 55.39% of school candidates and 51.45% overall qualified.
With regard to university admission eligibility, female students outperformed male students in all streams except Biology, where male students recorded a higher pass rate.
Western Province Tops
Based on school candidates eligible for university admission at provincial level, the Western Province ranked first with 69.42%.
It was followed by the North Western Province (68.48%), Northern Province (66.91%), Eastern Province (66.32%), Southern Province (65.69%), Sabaragamuwa Province (64.90%), Uva Province (63.53%), Central Province (63.04%), and North Central Province (60.91%).
Compared to previous years, demand among students has increased for Biology, Physical Science, and Biosystems Technology streams. In particular, the number of students selecting Information Technology increased by 5,905 compared to the previous year.
However, the number of candidates sitting for the Arts stream declined from 133,686 in 2024 to 132,003 this year.
Results Withheld for 111 Candidates
Meanwhile, results of 111 candidates have been fully withheld due to examination rule violations such as using mobile phones and electronic devices, copying, and failing to sign the admission form.
The number of school candidates who failed all subjects stood at 19,301 (8.7%). Among private candidates, 19.2% failed all subjects. Overall, 10.96% of those who sat for the examination failed to pass any subject.
Applications for Result Re-scrutiny From Monday
Applications for re-scrutiny of results will be accepted online only from 6 April to 22 April. The deadline will not be extended under any circumstances.
She further said the next GCE A/L examination (for this year) will be held from 10 August to 5 September, and applications are open until 24 April. Candidates applying for re-scrutiny were advised not to delay submitting applications for the next examination while waiting for re-scrutiny outcomes.
