On Air Early Breakfast Chris Williams | 5:00am - 7:30am

Exam season starts for Manx pupils

First time IGCSEs will be taken

School students around the Island start their A-level and GCSE exams today (3 May).

Around 1,800 youngsters will sit exams in more than 40 subjects, the results set to influence their career, trainign and education choices.  

For the first time, large numbers of 18 and 16-year olds will sit IGSCEs - after education chiefs opted for a system which grades papers from A* to G, rather the 1-9 system used in England.

Education minister Tim Crookall has praised parents and teaching staff for helping students prepare for the weeks ahead - and has wished youngsters 'all the very best'. 

As timetables are set by UK bodies, the exam season in the Island always spans TT fortnight.

It means many students sit their exams during race week, when Manx schools are closed.

More from Isle of Man News