Leaving Cert: Over 65,000 students get results as more than half of grades bumped up
James Cox
Just over half of this year’s Leaving Certificate students’ grades have been artificially inflated, compared with more than two-thirds last year.
It marks the first stage of a gradual phasing out of grade inflation introduced during the pandemic.
A total of 65,444 students received their Leaving Cert results on Friday morning.
This included 60,937 in the Leaving Cert programme and 4,507 students in the Leaving Cert Applied programme.
Applications to view the exam scripts open next Tuesday, while students can appeal their results between August 31st and September 1st.
From 10am on Friday, Leaving Certificate candidates were able to access their provisional results through the SEC’s Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) at www.examinations.ie.
Candidates can view their provisional results and are also able to print a statement of their provisional results. Schools can access results for all of the candidates in the school through the SEC’s Schools Portal.
Most subjects have increased cohorts this year, most notably: Agricultural Science (+13 per cent) Music (+21 per cent), Construction Studies (+13 per cent), Technology (+11 per cent) and Spanish (+13 per cent). There is a decrease in the total candidature for German (-2 per cent) and Accounting (-12 per cent).
Ukrainian was examined for the first time this year and was examined in the same format as the non-curricular EU language examinations. The examination was provided within the "overarching policy context of Ireland’s response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and, specifically, under the access to education provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive".
Ukrainian was the largest non-curricular subject provided by the SEC this year with 549 candidates followed by Romanian with 417.
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless congratulated students ahead of receiving their exam results.
“This a moment to be proud of, marking the culmination of years of hard work, learning, and personal growth,” he said. “Today is not just about results, but about recognising the journey and the support of families, teachers, and school communities.”
“Leaving Certificate results day is an important milestone, but it is only one of many in life. For those who are happy with their results, I wish you continued success. For those who may feel disappointed, remember that education is a lifelong journey and there are many different paths to success.”
Chairperson of the State Examinations Commission Jacinta Stewart said: “I, along with my fellow Commissioners, wish to extend our warmest congratulations to all the candidates receiving their Leaving Certificate results today. Results Day is a significant milestone in your lives, and you should be proud of your efforts and all that you have achieved.
“I would also like to acknowledge your families, teachers and school communities for the support they have provided to you, on your educational journey so far.”
Commenting on the efforts of the SEC to effect the gradual return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes beginning in 2025 Ms Stewart said: “Following the marking of the examinations, the SEC has implemented a post-marking adjustment. This year’s adjustment has been formulated so that the overall Leaving Certificate results in the aggregate are at a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels, still well above the 2019 levels when examinations were last run as normal.
“While the level of the post-marking adjustment has been reduced compared to previous years, the 2025 adjustment has been calibrated to meet the Minister’s commitments to a gradual return to normal while minimising the impact on candidates to the greatest possible degree.”
Ms Stewart added: “In all of our work on the 2025 Leaving Certificate, we have strived to ensure that candidates are treated fairly and equitably, that results are of the highest standards of quality, and that there is full transparency for candidates.
“I would encourage all candidates to ensure they are fully informed about their results and to avail of the opportunity to access the Candidate Self Service Portal next Tuesday when they can see more information such as their component marks and the impact of the post-marking adjustment. Candidates will also be able to view their scripts and appeal their results in due course.”