Record number of students to sit State exams this year
A record number of students will today begin their Leaving Cert, Leaving Cert Applied and Junior Cycle exams as the 2025 State examinations begin.
For the first time, the number of students beginning their exams today has surpassed 140,000, which the State Examination Commission (SEC) has linked to increasing demographics.
Overall, the number of students set to take the 2025 exams increased by 3% when compared to last year; From 130,160 to 140,457.
This includes 61,632 Leaving Certificate candidates, 4,512 final year Leaving Certificate Applied candidates and 74,313 Junior Cycle candidates.
The most significant increases were recorded for the Leaving Certificate programme, up 5% when compared to 2024, and the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, which increased this year by 11%.
This year also marks the beginning of moves to tackle grade inflation, which increased sharply post-pandemic.
The SEC has been asked by the Department of Education to begin 'a gradual return to normal' Leaving Certificate grades in the main, which will involve a post-marking adjustment.
This is expected to bring the overall Leaving Certificate results in the aggregate on average to a point broadly midway between the 2020 and 2021 levels.
Education Minister Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan wished students beginning their exams today good luck.
Ms McEntee said: 'I know the amount of work and effort you have put in to reach this point. It is the culmination of many years of effort.
'This can be a very stressful time so I would remind everyone that when it comes to examinations, all we can do is our best. We are all very much behind you over the next few weeks, and I know that regardless of the outcome of these examinations, there will be many great opportunities ahead for you all.'
Mr Moynihan said: 'I know the exam period can be a stressful time for students, so please do take care of yourselves and try to take some solace in the fact that there are many pathways to what you may hope to do next, some which you might not envisage at this point in time. You never know when or in what shape certain opportunities will arise.
'The skills and knowledge that you have learned during your schooling will stand to you during the examinations period, and throughout your life.'
SEC chair Jacinta Stewart added: 'Today marks a real milestone in the educational journey for the thousands of candidates taking the State examinations.
'On behalf of my fellow commissioners and the staff of the SEC, I want to offer our sincere best wishes to all those taking examinations this year.' 'I also want to express my appreciation to parents and families as well as school communities for supporting these candidates at this very important time in their lives.'
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