More than 131,000 students to sit Junior and Leaving Cert exams today

Just more than 131,000 candidates are due to sit the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert on Wednesday in what will be the first full set of in-person State exams to be held in three years.

The total number of candidates this year is a record high and is linked to demographic increases, with numbers up 6 per cent on 2019.

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of junior cycle exams for most students and a combination of calculated grades – based on teachers’ predictions – and optional exams for the Leaving Cert.

Under rules for this year’s exams, any student with Covid-19 or symptoms of the disease is being requested to stay away from the exams for an eight-day period.

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This has prompted the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to hold a second set of deferred exams for any candidates who cannot attend for Covid reasons, as well as serious accident, injury or bereavement.

These deferred exams are due to get under way on June 30th and will run until July 16th at a number or regional venues.

In recognition of the disruption to their schooling due to the pandemic since 2020, this year’s students will have fewer questions and greater choice across their exams.

In addition, Leaving Cert students have been advised that their results will be “no lower” on aggregate compared to last year’s students.

As a result, it is likely that CAO points for college courses will be similar to last year’s record high, which were driven by a combination of grade inflation and record numbers of applicants.

The SEC, meanwhile, says a date for the Leaving Cert results will be announced “as soon as possible”.

The delay in confirming a date has been a source of growing frustration among students and universities who are trying to plan for the start of the new academic year.

They have warned that if results are released in September it could lead to a delayed start to college and a last-minute scramble for accommodation.

In a statement, the SEC said there are a number of significant factors and challenges that it needs to take account of before announcing a release date.

These include uncertainty over the number of candidates who may need to sit the deferred exams; the additional time needed to meet the Government’s pledge that this year’s results will be no lower than last year’s; and a shortfall in the number of applications from teachers to mark the State exams.

This year, with increased candidature, there is a requirement for increased numbers of examiners.

The SEC said it is appealing to teachers to consider becoming an examiner and to “undertake this vital work”.

“Candidates can be reassured that the SEC will make every effort to mark the examinations and process the results as quickly as possible and to ensure that the results of the examinations are available in time to meet the needs of candidates and end users. A date for results will be announced as soon as possible,” the SEC said, in a statement.

This year’s exams will be held in 5,575 examination centres running until Tuesday, June 28th, for the Leaving Certificate.

Minister for Education Norma Foley sent her best wishes to the 131,431 students sitting the State exams.

“You have worked tirelessly and diligently, even through the unique challenges of the last two years. That perseverance has brought you here, the hard work is done and will stand to you in the coming days and weeks,” she said.

Ms Foley said this year sees the full return of externally-delivered exams as well as the first full year of exams under the revised junior cycle framework.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of the State Examinations Commission and post-primary schools across the country in ensuring that we can deliver exams similar to those prior to the pandemic,” she said.