LAST UPDATE | 21 Aug

THERE HAS BEEN a drop in the number of top marks awarded in this year’s Leaving Cert, with over 70,000 students receiving their results this morning.

Some 70,411 students were able to get access to their results both online and in schools from 10am.

The percentage of H1 grades has dropped from 12.1% last year, to 10.1% this year. 

At ordinary level, O1 grades are also down to 2.7%, compared to 3.7% last year. 

Post-marking adjustments meanwhile saw over one third (35.5%) of grades increased.

Post-marking adjustments, commonly referred to as grade inflation, were introduced in 2021 to counter the disruption caused to learning by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton said her department is committed to the “gradual return to normal leaving cert outcomes”.

Speaking to Newstalk, she said: “Next year, we will be continuing that gradual return; then, by 2028, we will be back to the Leaving Cert levels.”

The State Examinations Commission has said it is “cognisant of minimising the impact on candidates to the greatest possible degree ensuring that there is no cliff-edge in terms of a return to pre-pandemic outcomes.”

Meanwhile, there was a continued shift towards higher level exams, with 74% of students opting for Higher Level, compared to 24.6% who sat Ordinary Level exams.

The number of foundation level students remained steady at 1.4%.

Nearly 93% of people followed the traditional established programme, while the remaining 7% completed the applied programme, which sees students focus more on work-related modules.

Overall, the number of people completing the Leaving Cert has increased by 15% since 2024.

Most subjects increased their cohort this year, notably Technology (up 21%), Religious Educations (up 20%), Physical Education (up 25%), and Computer Science (up 10%).

This also marks the first year that students with special educational needs will get their results. 

The new Senior Cycle Level 1 and 2 Learning Programmes aim to prepare students for life beyond school. Some 306 students in 78 schools across the country will be receiving their results. 

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton offered her congratulations to the students, including those receiving results in the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning programmes.

“Today marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and challenges overcome. I hope you take the time to celebrate this achievement, to reflect on everything you have accomplished, the friendships and memories you have made and the contribution you have made to your school and wider community.

“I would particularly like to congratulate the students who have completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes and who, for the first time, are receiving their results alongside their peers. 

“Today marks an important step forward for inclusive education and I wish every student receiving their results the very best for the future.”

From 10am today, Leaving Cert candidates are able to access their provisional results through the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP).

People will need to register for an account, using their examination number, student portal account password, and PPS number. 

The CAO Round 1 offers will be made on 26 August from 2pm.

If students wish to view their scripts, they must apply to do this between 25 August at 5pm to 26 August at 8pm.

For those that wish to appeal their scripts, they can do so between 10am on 30 August to 5pm on 31 August.

The results of appeals will be published on 25 September.

Round 1 offers begin on 26 August from 2pm. Students have until 1 September at 3pm to accept your offer.

CAO round two offers will be made on 7 September at 2pm. Students have until 9 September at 3pm to accept these offers. 

If a candidate needs to contact the State Examinations Commission, the email address for enquiries is candidateportal@examinations.ie and the phone number is 090-6442702.

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper