Record number of students set to sit State examinations

Ireland is witnessing a record number of students participating in the State Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle written examinations, which commenced this morning. A total of 71,698 candidates are registered for the Leaving Certificate, marking a 9% increase from last year. The overall number of students registered for state exams has exceeded 146,000 for the first time.

This rise is attributed to population growth within the relevant age cohort. A new measure will provide approximately 30,000 students with an additional 10 minutes per exam. This interim arrangement supports Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle students with additional needs, aligning with pre-existing accommodation rules.

Jacinta Stewart, Chairperson of the State Examinations Commission, described the increase as a "major milestone." She stated that the commission's review of its reasonable accommodation scheme is guided by principles balancing access for students with special educational needs and fairness for all candidates.

The examinations are being conducted across over 800 post-primary schools and other approved venues, concluding on June 23. Leaving Certificate results, due August 21, will again feature a post-marking adjustment. This adjustment is part of a government commitment to gradually return results to pre-pandemic levels. Last year's marks were boosted to align with 2020 and 2021 levels, and this year's results are expected to be just below 2020 levels, which were four percentage points higher than 2019.

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Our work on the review of the RACE Scheme continues guided by two key principles which seek to balance, on the one hand, access for candidates with special educational needs and, on the other, equity and fairness for all candidates undertaking their examinations.