Some 60,000 students receive the results of their Junior Certificate examinations today.
For the first time in the history of the State the results are being issued by the new State Examinations Commission and can be accessed on the Internet from 4 p.m.
Access to the service, which requires the use of an examination number and a unique PIN, is through www.examinations.ie.
The Department of Education said the service is not intended to replace the "valuable results service and advice provided to students by schools at results issue time."
The results show that the class of 2003 has outperformed last year's students in most subjects. However, almost 8 per cent of students failed ordinary level maths and 12 per cent failed ordinary level French.
Overall, standards in Irish and art were well up on last year.
There were also very good grades achieved in religious education, where some 4,000 students were examined for the first time. More than 84 per cent of those taking a higher grade paper in the subject secured an honour.
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, congratulated both students and teachers.
"The Junior Certificate provides a valuable record of young people's progress while equipping them with valuable skills for their future," he said.
"Ireland's young people are among the most talented anywhere. Individual pupils, classes and whole schools achieve tremendous feats and too often we do not celebrate that fact.
He added: "Education is not only about exam results but is also about our young people acquiring the skills to play a significant part in our society. While some may be disappointed with their results, there are a range of opportunities open to them within the senior cycle and I wish them success for their future."
