Fall in top Leaving Certificate marks

THE number of students getting the highest marks in the Leaving Certificate has fallen for the first time in almost a decade, official figures reveal.

Statistics from the Central Applications Office (CAO) suggest a possible reversal of improvement in grades obtained, which had led to claims of grade inflation and exams being “dumbed down” in recent years.

The 4,450 students who scored more than 500 out of 600 points with their results last month represent 8.5% — or just over one-in-12 — of the 52,144 students who sat the exams. A 500 points score would require average grades of at least four higher level B1s and two B2s.