Over 3,260 Westmeath students began State Exams today

A total of 3,261 Westmeath students began their State Examinations this morning (Wednesday).

This morning 1,474 Leaving Certificate students sat their first exam in Westmeath, as well as 46 Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) students, and 1,741 Junior Certificate students.

Nationally, the number of candidates is up by 3 per cent on last year's figure of 136 thousand across Leaving Cert, Junior Cert and the Leaving Cert Applied.

The number of students sitting State exams has passed 140 thousand for the first time.

The examinations will run until Tuesday, June 24 for Leaving Certificate (Established and Vocational); Thursday, June 12 for Leaving Certificate Applied; and Monday, June 16 for Junior Cycle examinations.