Leaving Cert grades scheme set for changes

A move away from 14 different Leaving Certificate grades is likely on foot of recommendations about to be made by a Government advisory body.

The possibility of awarding students one of either eight or 11 grades instead of the current system is being examined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It was a key recommendation of a wider initiative to reduce pressure on students to get top marks just to secure college places at the expense of proper understanding of a subject.

The system of sub-divided grades (A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, and so on) was introduced in 1992 to facilitate colleges which select students using the Central Applications Office (CAO) points system.