More than 146,000 students to begin State exams

The State Examinations Commission said the number of students sitting State exams increased by 4% this year. File Picture: Leah Farrell

More than 146,000 students will commence State exams on Wednesday, as record numbers sit the Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied, and Junior Certificate tests.

Some 3.5m test papers will be distributed over the course of the exams, with most students sitting down to tackle English this morning.

“All of you — Leaving and Junior Cert students — are on the home stretch and your teachers are very proud of you,” said Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland president Padraig Curley.

“Your job now is to look after yourself. A balanced routine with plenty of rest, some exercise, meeting with friends, and time to organise yourself ahead of each exam will serve you well.” 

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) said the number of students sitting State exams increased by 4% this year, and indicated that a “post-marking adjustment” will again apply to Leaving Certificate results, which remains a hangover from the covid era of "predicted grades".

The 2025 results in the aggregate, on average, were at a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels, it said.

Continuing this trend in 2026 will see the overall Leaving Certificate results just below 2020 levels which were ahead of 2019 levels by four percentage points. 

To achieve this, the SEC will again apply a post-marking adjustment, after all Leaving Certificate marking is complete.

Separately, it said that two initiatives have been introduced to support the requirements of candidates with special educational needs sitting the exams this year.

“The SEC is delighted to be involved in this initiative undertaking the external validation of these new qualifications so that this group of students will receive their results at the same time as all other Leaving Certificate candidates on Results Day in August,” said State Examinations Commission chair Jacinta Stewart.

A 'post-marking adjustment' will again apply to Leaving Certificate results, which remains a hangover from the covid era of 'predicted grades'.

“I want to wish every candidate the very best as they begin their examinations. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution made by school communities — including principals, deputy principals, examinations aides, teachers and special needs assistants — whose ongoing dedication supports candidates at this time.” 

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland, meanwhile, wished students well while calling for appropriate resourcing in secondary-level education.

“TUI members voted last year to accept a set of support measures for Senior Cycle redevelopment, and in recent weeks we announced a range of additional supports for the redevelopment process following engagement with the Department of Education and Youth,” said its president Anthony Quinn.

“However, while our members are in favour of positive reform that benefits the education system, they have ongoing concerns about the absence of appropriate resourcing.

“It is also extremely worrying that many now look on the teaching profession as unaffordable due to the cost of training and the subsequent initial struggle on low hours that most teachers face in their early years.” 

The 2026 Leaving Certificate results will be issued on August 21.