Initially the government wanted 85 per cent of all 14 year olds to achieve level five or above in English and maths and 80 per cent to achieve level five or above in science.
However, only 71 per cent of 14 year olds reached level five or above in science, 73 per cent in English and 77 per cent in maths.
This year maths was the only subject in which pupils achieved better results than in 2007, however the average increase was just one per cent.
Grades for English decreased by one per cent and grades in science by two per cent.
Schools Minister Jim Knight congratulated teachers and pupils on their hard work in 2008, but said the drop in English and science marks disappointed him.
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