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As announced by Minister for Education Norma Foley yesterday, there will be extensive changes to the State examinations for 2022. While a hybrid option has been ruled out, written exams will have more choice and fewer questions and the overall profile of this year's grades will be similar to last year.
The examination process, although apparently adhering to the pre-pandemic structure, will be unrecognisable from what the class of 2019 experienced. The orals will take place during the Easter holiday break to avoid taking language teachers away from their own students for a further week of tuition.
The 2022 written Leaving Cert examination papers across all subjects were originally amended to expand the range of questions and the choices which students could make, following the loss of three months of face-to-face tuition from January to March 2021. Foley yesterday promised a further expansion of the choices which students will have in June to take account of the considerable disruption which the absences from school of both teachers and students during January caused. These extensive changes to papers accord greater choice within core subjects. In Maths students will be required to answer six questions instead of 10. In English paper 1, they will be required to answer half the number of comprehending questions and on paper 2 they will be required to answer questions from two sections instead of three.
By far the most significant announcement was that the overall grade profile will be in line with that of the class of 2021. Students this year will therefore receive equivalent grades to those secured through assessed grades plus the Leaving Cert exams in 2021. The outcome from the perspective of the class of 2022 seems to be a good one in the circumstances.
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While Government officials examined the potential of a hybrid Leaving Cert, it ultimately concluded that it could not be done in a fair or equitable way. This was due to the absence of Junior Cycle data for one in four candidates. This information has proved key in standardising grades to ensure consistency and fairness.
Given the lack of credible alternatives, the decision to return to traditional exams, with significant changes, appears to be the fairest and most equitable solution. Changes to the exam format will significantly ease the pressure facing candidates this year. In addition, this year’s candidates will not be disadvantaged due to the decision to ensure this year’s results are no lower than in 2021.
Students now have certainty, clarity and adjustments to take account of the disruption they experienced. It should provide the class of 2022 with a fair pathway to successfully complete their second level education and progress to the next chapter of their lives.