Big day as thousands of teenagers collect their exam results

These pupils in Solihull opened their results this morning

If you have older siblings, family or friends, it's a big day, as thousands of 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland get the results of their GCSEs and other exams today.

Year 11 pupils in England and Wales, and year 12 pupils in Northern Ireland, will be heading into their schools to collect their results from exams they sat before the summer holidays.

As well as GCSEs, pupils doing BTecs and and other Level 2 qualifications will be waiting to find out how they did too.

Scottish teenagers got their National 5 results earlier this month, where the pass rate improved over last year.

GCSEs have a mix of exams and coursework, which is completed in class

Overall, more pupils were awarded top grades this year.

The pass rate fell slightly in England, but rose in Wales and Northern Ireland.

GCSEs are exams that pupils mostly take in year 11 in England and Wales, and year 12 in Northern Ireland, although you'll begin to study for them a few years before.

They're important as they can help you get into sixth-form, college, or an apprenticeship.

It'll be a mix of emotions from lots of teenagers this morning

In England, GCSEs are marked from 1 to 9, which is the highest mark you can get.

In Wales and Northern Ireland they are still graded using letters from A* to U

In England, you have to do GCSEs in English, maths and science, with the same in Wales - except you also have to do a GCSE in Welsh, as either a first or second language.

In Northern Ireland, you'll have to study English and maths, and many schools will ask you to take religious studies too.