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1
State Examinations
Commission
Examinations
2017
Information
Pack
2
Introduction 04
1. Website Services for the 2017 examinations www.examinations.ie 05
2. Useful Dates 2017 06
3. Timetables and Schedules 06
4. Dates of Oral and Practical Tests 07
5. Points of Interest
(I) Enhancements to question paper preparation
(II) Delivery of the 2017 Leaving Certificate in Malta
(III) Junior Certificate Optional Oral Examinations
(IV) Mathematics
(V) Leaving Certificate Grading System Changes
(VI) Grading of Junior Cycle English
(VII) On-line Marking of Junior Certificate/Cycle
07
6. Key Logistics 15
7. Examination Running Costs 16
8. Rates of Examination Fees 16
9. The Preparation of Test Items – Principles and Protocol 17
10. Orals, Aurals, Practicals and Practical Coursework
(I) Leaving Certificate
(II) Junior Certificate
18
11. Catering for Diversity in the State Examinations
(I) Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations
(II) Use of Dictionaries in the Certificate Examinations
20
12. Non-Circular EU Language Subjects
Background to the Development of the Non-Curricular Language Subjects
22
13. Emergencies during the Examinations
(I) Remit of Schools
(II) How to Get Help
23
14. Other Useful Information
(I) Chief Examiners’ Reports 2017
(II) Viewing of Leaving Certificate Scripts
(III) External Candidates
(IV) Grading Structure for the Leaving Certificate Examination
(V) Grading Structure for the Leaving Certificate Applied Examination
(VI) Grading Structure for the Junior Certificate/Cycle Examination
(VII) Award of Bonus Marks for Answering Through Irish
24
3
15. Statistical Tables
a. Examination Entries and Sits 1927 – 2017
b. Predicted Leaving Certificate Entries by County and Gender 2017
c. Predicted Leaving Certificate Entries by Subject and Gender 2017
d. Predicted Leaving Certificate Entries by Subject and Level 2017
e. Leaving Certificate Appeals 2016
f. Predicted Leaving Certificate Applied Entries by County and Gender 2017
g. Predicted Leaving Certificate Applied Entries by Subject and Gender 2017
h. Predicted Junior Certificate/Cycle Entries by County and Gender 2017
i. Predicted Junior Certificate/Cycle Entries by Subject and Gender 2017
j. Predicted Junior Certificate/Cycle Entries by Subject and Level 2017
k. Junior Certificate Appeals 2016
29
Appendix A – Timetables and Schedules 41
4
INTRODUCTION
For the 2017 examinations, 56,580 candidates are entered for the Leaving Certificate examination,
2,814 candidates for the final year examinations in the Leaving Certificate Applied and 62,076
candidates for the Junior Certificate/Cycle examination.
The Corporate Affairs Division of the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has compiled this
information pack. We hope that you will find it useful during this year’s examinations.
This booklet provides information and statistics relevant to the 2017 examinations. It is important to
note that the statistical information provided on the 2017 examinations is the predicted entry figures and is subject to change.
If you have any queries on the information provided or on any issues that arise during the course of the
examinations, please contact:
Cathal McDonagh
Press Officer
Phone: 090 644 2770 or 087 2830355
OR
Jackie Wade
Deputy Press Officer
Phone 090 644 2851 or 087 1804466
Email: [email protected]
Further detailed information about the SEC and the operation of the examinations is available on
our website: www.examinations.ie
The website will be updated as appropriate during the course of the written
examinations in June.
Press and Information Office
Corporate Affairs Division
State Examinations Commission
Cornamaddy
Athlone
Co Westmeath
June 2017
5
1. WEBSITE SERVICES FOR THE 2017 EXAMINATIONS
www.examinations.ie
1 All written examination papers taken by candidates in this year’s examinations will be
published on the website on the evening that the examination is completed.
2 Leaving Certificate results will be issued on Wednesday 16th August, 2017 and the on-line
Results Service will be available from 12 noon on that day for Leaving Certificate candidates
3 Junior Certificate/Cycle results will be issued in mid-September and the on-line Results
Service will be available from 4pm on that day for Junior Certificate/Cycle candidates.
4 Detailed contact information, including e-mail, phone and fax details for all key
business areas of the SEC, is available in the Contacts Directory.
5 Other features of the website are:
o The approach taken by the SEC in the event of error occurring in an examination paper
o A directory of current circulars and forms in the Schools Section.
o Detailed information for candidates on the operation of the
examinations, including the Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations,
in the Candidates Section.
o All examination timetables and schedules of significant dates in the
2017 Examination Information Section.
o Examinations papers and marking schemes for past years and access to
Chief Examiners’ Reports for the past number of years in the
Examination Material Archive.
o The on-line Appeal Payment Service for the Leaving Certificate will be available
shortly after the release of the results. Candidates can also pay using Bank Giro.
6
2. USEFUL DATES 2017
Date Event
Monday, March 27th Start of Leaving Certificate oral and practical tests
Wednesday, June 7th Start of written examinations
Thursday, June 15th End of Leaving Certificate Applied written examinations
Wednesday, June 21st End of Junior Certificate/Cycle written examinations
Friday, June 23rd
End of Leaving Certificate written examinations
Wednesday, August 16th Leaving Certificate results in all schools
On www.examinations.ie from 12 noon
Tuesday, August 22nd
Leaving Certificate candidates must return completed
application forms to view scripts to school by this date
Friday & Saturday,
September 1st and 2nd Viewing of scripts in schools
Wednesday, September 6th
Closing date for receipt by the SEC of Leaving Certificate
appeal applications
Mid-September
Release of Junior Certificate/Cycle results on www.examinations.ie at 4pm
Mid-October Release of results of Leaving Certificate appeals
3. TIMETABLES AND SCHEDULES 2017
Four documents giving the dates of the certificate examinations are at Appendix A:
The timetable for the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied written
examinations in June 2017
The timetable for the Junior Certificate/Cycle written examinations in June 2017
A schedule of examination dates for the non-written examinations at the
Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate
Vocational Programme
A schedule of examination dates for non-written examinations at Junior
Certificate/Cycle
These are also available from the Examination Information section of www.examinations.ie
The new Junior Cycle English specification will be examined for the first time in 2017. The
examination is scheduled for Wednesday 7th June and will run from 9.30 to 11.30. The
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examination will consist of one paper at both Higher and Ordinary level. This change has
facilitated a shortening of the Junior Certificate/Cycle examining period by one day and the
Junior Certificate/Cycle examining period now concludes on the final Wednesday of the
examinations, June 21st. As a result, changes to the timetable have been made as follows:
CSPE replaces English Paper 1 on Day 1 Wednesday 7th June PM (from Day 4 Monday
PM)
Science replaces CSPE on Day 4 Monday 12th June PM (From Day 7 Thursday AM)
Home Economics replaces Science on Day 7 Thursday 15th June AM (From Day 8
Friday PM)
Latin/Classical Studies replaces Home Economics on Day 8 Friday 16th June PM (From
Day 12 Thursday AM)
Italian and Ancient Greek are now timetabled in the same session as Technology on
Day 11 Wednesday 21st June PM. (From Day 12 Thursday PM)
4. DATES OF ORAL AND PRACTICAL TESTS 2017
Oral tests in Leaving Certificate language subjects were conducted in the two week period
between Monday 27th March and Friday 7th April, 2017, along with the practical tests in Leaving
and Junior Certificate Music and Junior Certificate Home Economics.
Leaving and Junior Certificate practical examinations were conducted over a two-week period
in early May. Although set dates are laid down for these examinations, they are indicative
only and schools have the flexibility to use this two week period to organise the practical
examinations in such a way as to minimise disruption in the school.
The LCVP Link Modules written examination was held on 3rd May, 2017.
5. POINTS OF INTEREST FOR 2017
(I) ENHANCEMENTS TO QUESTION PAPER PREPARATION
Review of Procedures
The SEC introduced a number of enhancements to the preparations of question papers in recent
years. Chief among these was a comprehensive review in 2014 of the personnel structures for
the preparation of examination papers. International practice in relation to examination paper
preparation and quality assurance measures was also researched and reviewed. Further to this
review and recognising that it is not possible to guarantee that examinations in the future will
be completely error free, the SEC introduced a significant additional quality assurance measure
for the Leaving Certificate examinations to minimise the risk of error. Under this measure, the
2017 curricular Leaving Certificate written papers have again been subjected to scrutiny at an
advanced stage of preparation by a subject expert who has not been involved in generating the
paper.
Communication in relation to error
One of the key objectives of the SEC is to provide an examinations system of the highest
possible quality. The aspiration of any examining body, including the SEC, is to preside over
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a system that is completely error free. However, it is recognised, across the examination sector
including internationally, that this will always be an aspiration rather than a completely
achievable goal. In addition to the wide variety of quality controls put in place to ensure the
risk of error is kept to an absolute minimum, the SEC has developed a communication strategy
specifically for dealing with error if and when this occurs. The SEC has designated a specific
area on its website for the provision of information on its approach to dealing with errors in
examinations. https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/BI-AU-56881430.pdf
This approach will always adhere to the SEC’s core principle that candidates should not be
disadvantaged as a result of an error on a question paper or any other failing on the part of the
SEC or its agents. In addition, the SEC has published material on its website outlining how it
sets and maintains examination standards from year to year and answering the question on
what happens if there are fluctuations in the difficulty of questions in any examination from
one year to the next. https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/BI-AU-67246950.pdf
(II) DELIVERY OF THE 2017 LEAVING CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATIONS IN MALTA
The Leaving Certificate has been taken by the students at the International School of the
Martyrs (ISM), Tripoli, Libya since 1997. In the early 1990s, the then Principal of ISM
approached the Examinations Branch of the Department of Education with a view to
adopting the Irish Leaving Certificate examinations system. The school was seeking the
introduction of a broad-based, internationally regarded examination system and selected the
Irish system in favour of the International Baccalaureate or the British GCE system. The
school began teaching the Leaving Certificate syllabus in September 1995 and the first
examinations were held there in June 1997.
Given the highly unstable political and security situation in Libya since 2011, the SEC
decided that it was not possible to arrange examinations there. As an alternative, the SEC
advised the school authorities that candidates could take their examinations in either Ireland
or Malta. In 2012 candidates travelled to Malta to sit their examinations.
In 2017, the SEC, again on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs, has decided not
to travel to Libya to provide the Irish Leaving Certificate examination there. As an alternative,
the SEC is working with the Irish Embassy in Malta and the school authorities to provide the
Irish Leaving Certificate in Valetta. While 41 candidates are entered to sit the examination,
it is not known at this time exactly how many of these will travel to Malta to sit the
examinations. All additional costs associated with these measures are met by the school.
(III) JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OPTIONAL ORAL IRISH TEST
For the Junior Certificate Irish examination, the SEC issued detailed instructions regarding
the optional school-based oral Irish test which has carried 40% of the total marks from 2010.
The Aural test, which now carries 10% of the total marks, forms an integral part of Paper 1 at
Higher Level and of the written paper at Ordinary Level and at Foundation Level. There was
no change to the Junior Certificate syllabus.
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The change in policy has seen an increase in the numbers of candidates taking the optional
oral Irish test. In 2016, a total of 20,220 candidates took the optional oral examination
compared to 4,276 candidates in 2011 (an increase of 15,944 candidates). 94 schools offered
the optional oral in 2011, 155 schools in 2012, 196 schools in 2013, 252 schools in 2014, 309
schools in 2015 and 357 schools in 2016. Figures are not yet available for the number of
schools participating in 2017.
Year 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Candidates 20,220 16,487 14,269 10,640 7,388 4,276
% of Cohort 38 31.7 31.5 20.5 15 8.9
(IV) MATHEMATICS
The Government’s Project Maths initiative was undertaken with the aim of improving the
quality of the mathematics learning experiences of second level students. It involved the
introduction of new syllabi and the promotion of more effective approaches to teaching and
learning.
There were consequent changes to the structure and style of the examinations to support these
aims. The new syllabi and examinations were introduced on a phased basis over several years
and this transition was completed at Leaving Certificate level in 2014 when all students were
examined under the new programme.
From 2015 onwards, Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Foundation level consists of one
written paper. There is no longer a paper 2 at this level.
In line with the Government’s aims for mathematics education and to encourage more
students to take Mathematics at higher level, the higher education institutions introduced, on
a pilot basis, a scheme of awarding 25 bonus CAO points for applicants for entry who have
taken Mathematics at higher level and achieved a grade D3 or better. This bonus applied to
applicants for entry to these institutions from 2012 onwards. In line with the changed Leaving
Certificate grading system in 2017, this bonus will apply to students who achieve a H7 or
better at Higher Level. The data suggest that the combination of this bonus points scheme
and the Project Maths initiative have led to a significant increase in the numbers of candidates
taking Higher Level Mathematics. The table below shows the entries and sits for
Mathematics from 2010 to 2016 as appropriate. While Leaving Certificate candidates
nominate in advance the level at which they intend to sit each subject, they have the option
of subsequently changing from this nominated level – up to and including the day of the
examination. Traditionally, approximately 2,000 candidates change levels in Mathematics
each year (mostly moving down one level). It is only when the examination scripts are
returned and marked in the SEC that the final numbers taking Mathematics at each level can
be confirmed.
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Entries
Higher
Level
Sits Higher
Level
Entries Ordinary
Level
Sits Ordinary
Level
Entries Foundation
Level
Sits Foundation
Level
2017 19,958 - 33,549 - 2,022 -
2016 19,202 15,198 33,980 32,549 2,035 6,478
2015 18,173 14,691 33,518 33,266 2,177 5,613
2014 17,065 14,326 34,034 32,428 2,296 5,628
2013 15,132 13,014 34,297 32,165 2,520 5,677
2012 12,900 11,131 36,100 33,917 2,669 5,395
2011 10,435 8,235 39,666 37,506 3,033 6,249
Note that the entry and sits figures for Mathematics from 2010 to 2013 include candidates in the project
maths initial schools.
Junior Certificate Project Maths
In 2011, as part of the phased implementation of curricular reform in Mathematics,
the SEC provided examinations in Junior Certificate at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation
Level in Project Maths. This was the first time in the phased implementation that Project
Maths had been examined at Junior Certificate. From 2015 onwards, all candidates sat
the new Project Maths examination papers following the completion of the transition to
Project Maths at Junior Certificate level. The proportion of candiates who sat Higher Level
Mathematics in the Junior Certificate has risen from 45% of the total candidature in 2010
to 55% in 2016 as illustrated below:
Sits
Higher Level
Sits
Ordinary Level
Sits
Foundation Level
2010 24,840 25,853 4,597
2016 32,830 23,781 2,978
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(V) LEAVING CERTIFICATE GRADING SYSTEM CHANGES
A new grading system will apply to all of Leaving Certificate subjects from 2017. The new
grading system reduces the number of grades from 14 in the old system to 8 under the
revised arrangements.
The following table provides an explanation of the revised grading system compared to the
previous grading system
The new grading system will be used on the Statements of Provisional Examination Results
and on the final Leaving Certificates.
OLD NEW
Level
Percentage
Grade
Descriptor Percentage
Grade
Descriptor
Higher, Ordinary, Foundation/
Ard, Gnath, Bonn
≥ 90 to 100
A1
≥ 90 to 100
1
≥ 85 and < 90 A2 ≥ 80 and < 90 2
≥ 80 and < 85 B1 ≥ 70 and < 80 3
≥ 75 and < 80 B2 ≥ 60 and < 70 4
≥ 70 and < 75 B3 ≥ 50 and < 60 5
≥ 65 and < 70 C1 ≥ 40 and < 50 6
≥ 60 and < 65 C2 ≥ 30 and < 40 7
≥ 55 and < 60 C3 ≥ 0 and < 30 8
≥ 50 and < 55 D1
≥ 45 and <50 D2
≥ 40 and < 45 D3
≥ 25 and < 40 E
≥ 10 and < 25 F
≥ 0 and < 10 NG
12
The grades will be used consistently across all three examination levels – Higher, Ordinary
and Foundation. The Statements and Certificates will indicate the level taken using the
following notation beside each subject:
Higher/Ard level, H/A
Ordinary/Gnath level, O/G
Foundation/Bonn level F/B
All grades will be awarded in accordance with the published grading system and no
tolerances can be applied. Note that the use of percentages is used to facilitate
understanding of the Grading system. In the examination marking and resulting processes,
grades are derived from marks not percentages. So for example while a mark of 539 out of
600 in an examination is worth 89.83% when expressed as a percentage, the grading is
awarded based on the marks which equate to a Grade 2. Rounding up to the next grade
band is not permissible.
(VI) GRADING OF JUNIOR CYCLE ENGLISH
English is the first subject being examined in the reformed Junior Cycle programme. A
revised grading system will apply in English this year which will be rolled out to other
subjects as other reformed subjects come on stream. This means that this year the grading
that applies to English and that which applies to all other Junior Certificate subjects will be
different. From this year’s examinations, both sets of grades will be in use; the new
descriptors for Junior Cycle English and the existing Junior Certificate grades for all other
subjects. This format of grading will continue to apply until 2021 when the last of the
Junior Certificate examinations are terminated.
In the Junior Certificate, candidates will continue to achieve grades of A, B, C etc.
to NG based on marks achieved, a total of 7 grades.
In the Junior Cycle, achievement will be indicated using the grade descriptors of
Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved, and Not Graded, a total of
6 grade descriptors.
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The following table provides an explanation of the current and revised grading system for
Junior Certificate / Junior Cycle subjects.
Junior Certificate Junior
Cycle
Level
Percentage
Grade
Descripto
r
Percentage
Grade
Descripto
r Higher, Ordinary, Foundation ≥ 85 to 100 A ≥ 90 to 100 Distinction
Ard, Gnath, Bonn ≥ 70 and < 85 B ≥ 75 and < 90 Higher Merit
≥ 55 and < 70 C ≥ 55 and < 75 Merit
≥ 40 and < 55 D ≥ 40 and < 55 Achieved
≥ 25 and < 40
E ≥ 20 and < 40
Partially
Achieve
d ≥ 10 and < 25
F ≥ 0 and < 20
Not Graded
(NG)
≥ 0 and < 10 NG
Both the old and the new grading systems will appear side-by-side on the Statements of
Provisional Examination Results issued by the SEC and on the final Junior Certificate
Profile of Achievement (JCPA) which will be generated by schools and issued for the
first time in respect of the 2017 examinations. The JCPA will include details of the final
grades awarded by the SEC following the conclusion of the Junior Certificate/Cycle
appeals process. The technical arrangements for the production of the JCPA are currently
being finalised by the Department of Education and Skills. A broad outline of the
arrangements that will apply are set out in Department of Education and Skills circular
letter 15/20017. Final details will be communicated to schools and centres by the
Department in due course.
Junior Cycle English will be offered at Higher and Ordinary Level and there is no longer
a Foundation level option in this subject.
(VII) ON-LINE MARKING OF JUNIOR CERTIFICATE/CYCLE
ENGLISH & AND HIGHER LEVEL FRENCH
At the 2017 certificate examinations the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will
continue its pilot in the use of on line marking in Junior Cycle English (Higher and
Ordinary Level) and again in Junior Certificate Higher Level French. On-Line marking
involves the marking of candidate’s responses by examiners using specially designed
software which enables them to interact with scanned images of the candidates’
examinations scripts. This technology is used by all of the UK examinations boards,
including Northern Ireland, and throughout Europe. Online marking facilitates high
quality, reliable marking of candidates examination responses.
There are many advantages to on line marking both for the examiners and for the system
as a whole. In particular, it allows examiners to focus on the marking exercise and not
on the administration of the marking and eliminates the possibility of clerical errors.
14
There is no significant change for students as they will sit their examinations in the
normal way and their completed examinations scripts will be returned to the SEC in
Athlone in the normal way. In both of these subjects, the examination papers are also the
answer books. At that point their scripts will be scanned and the paper document will
become an electronic script. The paper record will of course be retained. The
examination papers for these subjects include minor modifications, such as having small
bar codes applied to each page, to facilitate the scanning process.
Examination superintendents will be provided with information about the on-line
marking of Junior Certificate/Cycle English (Higher and Ordinary) and Higher Level
French. The Superintendents will instruct candidates in the examination centres that they
need to complete the paper in Blue or Black pen (This improves the accuracy of the
scanning process.) Schools have been asked to ensure that students taking these subjects
are aware of this requirement in advance of the examinations.
The second important piece of information that needs to be brought to the attention of
students taking these subjects is about the use of supplementary answer paper. Last year,
the SEC noted that some students included supplementary answer paper even through
there was adequate space for the answers to be completed, and for any roughwork, in
their main examination script. The SEC is satisfied that adequate space for candidate
responses has been provided in these papers and that it is possible for candidates to
achieve full marks for responses completed in the space provided under each question
and in the spare pages provided at the back of the booklet.
The inclusion of additional loose pages complicates the scanning process and is to be
avoided unless absolutely necessary. This year our examination Superintendents will be
instructed to strictly apply the longstanding rule of not providing candidates with
supplementary answer paper unless they have run out of space within the main
examination script.
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6. KEY LOGISTICS
Established in 2003, the S EC assumed responsibility from the Department of Education and
Skills for the operation of the second level examinations of the Irish State, the Junior
Certificate and the Leaving Certificate. The SEC is based at Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co.
Westmeath.
The SEC currently employs just over 150 permanent staff supplemented by 80 temporary staff at
peak period to assist in key seasonal functions such as the packing and distribution of
examination material and the examination resulting process.
To give an idea of the scale of activities involved in conducting the state examinations, it
is worth noting that the 2016 examinations involved the following activities and outcomes:
Providing examinations to 118,713 candidates across all examination programmes;
60,248 at Junior Certificate, 55,707 at Leaving Certificate, and 2,758 at Leaving
Certificate Applied Programme;
Arranging for examinations in 90 curricular and 16 non-curricular examination
subjects;
Engaging 578 drafters, setters and translators to develop 506 different test
instruments – including oral tests, aural recordings, practical briefs, project briefs,
portfolio and coursework items as well as the written examination papers;
Producing 4 million examination papers comprised of almost 47.7 million A4 pages;
Arranging for the recording of over 92,000 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate
Applied oral tests;
Engaging 5,123 superintendents to superintend at ordinary examination centres;
Providing 20,209 reasonable accommodations to facilitate 16,764 candidates with
individual needs (14% of the overall cohort) to access the certificate examinations
and establishing 10,685 special examination centres as a result;
Engaging 6,848 examiners to mark the examinations comprised of 4,417* written
examiners, 1,154 oral examiners and 1,277 practical examiners;
Examining over 1.9 million individual test items including written examination
scripts, art and craftwork pieces, project and practical pieces in Leaving Certificate
Construction Studies and Engineering and Junior Certificate Metalwork, Materials
Technology (Wood) and Technology, oral tests, coursework journals, research
reports and portfolios;
Generating just over 1 million individual grades leading to the award of 118,713
examination results;
Returning 383,108 marked scripts to schools for viewing;
Processing some 13,399 appeals at Leaving (including LCA) and Junior Certificate.
* includes examiners of the written scripts and the supervisory teams for the Leaving (including Non-
Curricular languages)and Junior Certificate examinations, along with those for the Leaving Certificate
Applied.
16
7. EXAMINATION RUNNING COSTS
The overall cost of running the examinations in the period 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016
was €63.64 million, of which €9.06 million was collected in fees.
The main running costs associated with the examinations are the fees paid to superintendents,
examiners, drafters and setters, and their associated travel and subsistence costs. The cost of
printing, packing and posting examination materials is also significant. Examination materials,
past papers, aural tests, marking schemes etc. are provided free of charge to schools and candidates
in a variety of different formats including paper, CD and on our website.
Key Costs in 2016
€m
Fees paid to Examiners, Superintendents and
other Contract Personnel 35.60
Staff Salaries 10.05
Travel & Subsistence (Contract and Staff) 8.89
8. RATES OF EXAMINATION FEES 2017
Students who hold a medical card or who are dependent on a Parent or Guardian who is the holder
of a medical card are exempt from examination fees. For other candidates the lists of fees for the
2017 examinations are listed below.
School Candidates
Leaving Certificate (Established and LCVP) €116
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme €116
Junior Certificate €109
Repeat Leaving Certificate €301
Post Leaving Certificate course (1 or 2 subjects) € 71
Post Leaving Certificate course (3+ subjects) €116
VTOS and Analogous Candidates
Leaving Certificate (3+subjects) €116
Mix of LC/JC subjects (3+) €116
Junior Certificate (3+subjects) €109
1 or 2 subjects – LC/JC/mix € 71
External candidates
ORDINARY FEES
First time entry (3+ subjects) €116
First time entry (1 or 2 subjects) € 71
Repeat entry (3+ subjects) €326
Repeat entry (2 subjects) €211
Repeat entry (1 subject) €116
17
LATE FEES (EXTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY)
Received 16th February to 4th March: an additional €32.00 per subject.
Received on/after 5th March: an additional €52.00 per subject.
Appeal Fees
The fees for appealing a result in a subject in the 2017 certificate examinations are as follows:
Junior Certificate/Cycle: €32 per subject
Leaving Certificate Established €40 per subject
Leaving Certificate Applied: €15.50 per subject
Appeal fees are refunded in the event that a result is upgraded. Refunds are made through the
school system in the case of school candidates and are paid directly to external candidates.
9. THE PREPARATION OF TEST ITEMS - PRINCIPLES AND PROTOCOL
The preparation of test items of the highest standard and the maintenance of an examination
system providing valid and reliable certification requires rigorous quality assurance measures
based on sound principles articulated through a comprehensive protocol. During 2006 the SEC
published a booklet, The Preparation of Test Items - Principles and Protocol, setting out the
principles and protocol which underpin and inform the preparation of test items used by the
Commission. It describes the context in which the SEC fulfils its role, indicating, in particular,
the importance of the SEC’s relationship with its partners and customers in the broad education
community, with the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council of Curriculum
and Assessment (NCCA) in the matter of the provision of state certificate examinations.
The key principles underpinning and informing the preparation of test items outlined in the
booklet include validity, reliability, freedom from bias, inclusiveness and equity, discrimination,
and accessibility. The booklet also sets out the protocol which personnel responsible for the
preparation of test items follow in applying these principles and outlines the roles and
responsibilities of key personnel within the SEC in relation to the preparation of these same test
items.
In publishing this booklet the SEC wishes to assure candidates, parents, teachers, schools and the
broader education community of the care taken with the preparation of test items. In so doing,
the SEC reiterates its commitment to openness and transparency, fairness and accountability and
to the maintenance of the highest standards possible in the preparation of state certificate
examinations.
The following outlines the key principles that underpin and inform the preparation of test items
used by the SEC in more detail:
• Validity
Validity refers to the accuracy with which an examination measures what it is
intended to measure.
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• Reliability
Reliability refers to the consistency of the results produced by an examination.
• Freedom from Bias
Freedom from bias refers to the elimination, as far as possible, of bias from an examination.
Bias is the presence of some characteristic in an examination that results in different levels
of performance by candidates of the same level of achievement, but from different groups,
such as ethnic or gender.
• Inclusiveness and Equity
Inclusiveness and Equity refer to the extent to which examinations should
reflect an inclusive view of society and a respect for diversity
• Discrimination
Discrimination refers to the extent to which an individual test item, or an
examination as a whole, effectively distinguishes between candidates o f different
underlying levels of achievement.
• Accessibility
The accessibility of an examination refers to the extent to which all candidates
are facilitated in demonstrating their achievements, in the context of the need
to preserve the integrity, fairness and standards of the examination.
The booklet was distributed to all second-level schools, to the education partners and was
published on www.examinations.ie.
10. ORALS, AURALS, PRACTICALS AND PRACTICAL COURSEWORK
Each year, the state examinations involve the preparation of 506 different test components in
almost 90 curricular subjects. These components include oral tests, practical tests, aural tests,
project briefs, practical coursework specifications, journals, reports and portfolios as well as the
written examination papers.
(I) LEAVING CERTIFICATE
The Leaving Certificate subjects examined entirely by written examination are English,
Mathematics, Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Studies, Hebrew, Physics, Chemistry, Physics and
Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business, Economics, Arabic and the non-curricular EU
Languages.
The subjects with oral and aural components are Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese
and Russian. Music has an aural component.
19
The Leaving Certificate subjects Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Construction
Studies, Engineering, Home Economics, Links Modules, Music, History, Geography, Religious
Education, Technology and Design and Communication Graphics have practical coursework
components.
There were also practical examinations in Art, Engineering, Construction Studies, Music and
Home Economics.
(II) JUNIOR CERTIFICATE
The Junior Certificate subjects examined entirely by written examination are Mathematics,
Ancient Greek, Business Studies, Classical Studies, Geography, History, Latin and Technical
Graphics.
In addition to the written examination, Junior Certificate Irish, French, German, Spanish and
Italian have an aural component. There are also optional oral tests in these subjects which are
taken by a small number of candidates in the modern European languages each year, with a
significant increase evident in recent years in the numbers taking the optional oral in Irish with
the reweighting of this component to 40%.
In 2017, for the first time as part of Junior Cycle reform, the state examination in English will
comprise two elements – an Assessment Task worth 10% of the marks completed by students in
schooltime and a Final Examination, worth 90% of the marks, to be undertaken on Wednesday 7th
June. Both elements will be marked by the SEC.
The Junior Certificate subjects Art, Craft & Design, Home Economics, Materials Technology
(Wood), Metalwork, Religious Education, Science, Environmental and Social Studies (ESS),
Technology, Jewish Studies and Civic, Social and Political Education ( CSPE ) have practical
coursework components.
There are also practical examinations in Art, Craft & Design, Home Economics, Music and
Metalwork. There are no written examinations in Junior Certificate Art, Craft & Design.
20
11. CATERING FOR DIVERSITY IN THE STATE EXAMINATIONS
(I) THE SCHEME OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE
CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
The SEC facilitates access to the certificate examinations by candidates who would have difficulty
in accessing the examination or communicating what they know to an examiner because of a physical
disability, including visual and hearing impairments, or a learning difficulty. The access scheme is
referred to as the Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations or RACE
Scheme. The scheme provides accommodations for students with a complex variety of special
educational needs including learning difficulties as well as permanent or temporary physical, visual,
hearing, medical, sensory, emotional, behavioural or other conditions.
The purpose of the scheme is to allow candidates who have special educational needs that interfere
with their capacity to engage with the standard examination arrangements to demonstrate what they
know and can do, without compromising the integrity of the assessment. This involves such students
being held to the same standard as other candidates with regard to what the examination is intended
to measure. In common with similar schemes which operate in other jurisdictions, the focus of the
RACE scheme is on the need to remove barriers to accessing the examinations, while retaining the
need to assess the same underlying skills and competencies as are assessed for all other candidates,
and to apply the same standards of achievement as apply to all other candidates.
Changes to the RACE Scheme
In light of the priorities identified by the Board of the SEC and feedback from stakeholders, the SEC
has implemented two major changes to the scheme for the 2017 examinations. The changes were
the subject of intensive consultation with stakeholders over the summer of 2016 and an information
programme involving all second-level schools during October 2016. The revisions to the scheme
are intended to provide certainty to students with special educational needs about the supports they
can expect to have for the Leaving Certificate. The new scheme also enables greater access to the
scheme by students whose needs are as a result of a learning difficulty.
Change 1. Application Process
Schools have devolved authority to recommend to the SEC the supports to be provided at Junior
Certificate based on a full assessment of eligibility within the school against the criteria for the
particular accommodations sought. The criteria include evidence of need; a history of learning
support and intervention in the school as well as, in the case of students with learning difficulties,
recent attainment scores and error rates in reading and spelling.
When it comes to Leaving Certificate, schools also now have devolved authority to recommend to
the SEC that the same supports provided at Junior Certificate should be put in place at Leaving
Certificate based on their judgment that the need for support persists. Schools can also recommend
the provision of accommodations that were not provided at Junior Certificate, subject to a full
assessment of eligibility as applies to all Junior Certificate applications.
In general the SEC will accept the recommendation of the school unless some exceptional
circumstance arises such as the student being clearly ineligible for the accommodations being
recommended or the accommodations not being available within the scheme, etc.
21
Change 2. Broader Access to the Scheme on grounds of learning difficulty
The second change is that there is greater access to the scheme by students with learning difficulties.
Eligibility for reasonable accommodations on grounds of a learning difficulty is assessed based on
level of need as evidenced by the student’s attainment in, for example, spelling and/or reading. There
is no longer any need for a student to have a diagnosis of a specific learning difficulty to be eligible.
This brings RACE into line with the overall needs-based approach to allocating special education
resources. The revisions to the RACE Scheme have been designed to provide certainty to students
with special needs about the supports they can expect to have for the Leaving Certificate and to
enable greater access to the examinations by students whose needs are as a result of a learning
difficulty. The main benefits of the changes to the scheme are that the scheme now:
1. Provides certainty at an earlier point in students’ schooling of the level of support that they
can expect to receive in their state examinations
2. Addresses the issues associated with the creation of expectations of students, parents and
school authorities as a result of the previous decision making process
3. Maintains the autonomy of schools in relation to the RACE application process and is
consistent with the ethos of the Junior Cycle reform
4. Allows for the enhancement of NEPS role in RACE, in terms of training and support for
schools and auditing schools and quality assurance of RACE applications
5. Is more inclusive for student with learning difficulties and accords with overall educational
policy of mainstreaming students of all needs throughout their education
6. Accords with the needs based approach embedded in the General Allocation Model for the
allocation of resources to students with special needs.
7. Criteria will still apply in order to ensure consistency and fairness
8. Addresses the concerns raised about the scheme by the offices of the Ombudsman and the
Ombudsman for Children.
In keeping with the SEC’s commitment to transparency in its decision making, all decisions made
by the SEC in relation to the provision of reasonable accommodations are open to appeal to a
Reasonable Accommodations Independent Appeals Committee. The following tables illustrate the
significant increases in the provision of reasonable accommodations and special centres in recent
years. In 2016, 20,209 reasonable accommodations were granted to 16,764 candidates (14% of the
overall cohort) to facilitate their participation in the state examinations. This required the
establishment of inter alia, 10,685 special centres.
Type of Accomodation 2013 2014 2015 2016
Tape Recorder 477 349 328 249
Reading Assistance 6995 6352 6261 6431
Scribe 1900 2123 2253 2310
Word Processor 914 726 1338 1530
Visually Modified 164 145 175 155
Component / Subject Exemption 2170 2385 2300 2292
Spelling / Grammar Waiver 8018 7422 7151 7242
TOTAL 20638 19502 19806 20209
Reasonable Accomodations 2013 – 2016
Special Centres 9610 9951 10223 10685
22
(II) USE OF DICTIONARIES IN THE CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
Candidates whose first language is not English or Irish are allowed to use bi -lingual translation
dictionaries in certain examinations. In 2016, a total of 2,587 candidates applied to use bi -
lingual dictionaries in the state examinations.
12. NON-CURRICULAR EU LANGUAGE SUBJECTS
The SEC provides examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the
non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal
school curriculum but which students may opt to be examined in if they meet certain criteria.
Chief among these conditions are the requirements that candidates for these examinations:
• Be from a member state of the European Union;
• Speak the language in which they opt to be examined in as a mother tongue;
• Have followed a programme of study leading to the Leaving Certificate;
• Are taking Leaving Certificate English.
Another condition is that candidates may undertake examination in one non-curricular language
subject only and for this reason in 2017, the SEC has again scheduled all of the non-curricular
examinations for one session – Thursday 8th June 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
For the 2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, candidates will be examined in the following
seventeen non -curricular language subjects including Slovenian for the first time:
Bulgarian Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian
Finnish Modern Greek Hungarian Latvian Lithuanian Polish
Portuguese Romanian Slovakian Slovenian Swedish
The following table compares the predicted candidate entries for these subjects in the 2017 Leaving
Certificate to the number of candidates that sat these examinations in 2016.
Subject 2016 (Sits) 2017 (entries) Dutch 19 18 Portuguese 95 98 Polish 718 726 Latvian 73 83 Lithuanian 202 237 Romanian 167 208 Hungarian 45 58 Czech 15 19 Slovakian 30 26 Bulgarian 14 13 Croatian 22 38 Others less than 10 2016# 25 Others less than 10 2017* 26 Total
1,425 1,550
Non-Curricular Language Subjects 2016 and 2017
#Modern Greek, Danish, Estonian, Finnish and Swedish
*Modern Greek, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Swedish and Slovenian
23
Background to the development of the Non-Curricular language subjects
The development of the examinations in these languages has evolved over time. From time to time
the SEC, and prior to 2003, the Department of Education and Science, have received requests to
provide examinations for native speakers in their mother tongue. The policy has been to accede
to these requests in the case of the national languages of EU states in line with the commitment
made by member states under Article 149 of the Treaty of Nice. This states that "Community
action shall be aimed at developing the European dimension in education, particularly through the
teaching and dissemination of the languages of the Member States."
The model for the non-curricular language examination papers is based on the First Foreign
Language final written paper of the European Baccalaureate and the syllabus on which it is based.
Although no national syllabi have been developed for these subjects, the SEC is satisfied as to the
rigour of the standard that applies.
The European Baccalaureate model has been developed by the European Schools taking into
account the educational standards of all member states including Ireland. The SEC is satisfied with
the very high academic standard of this qualification and indeed the European Baccalaureate
is recognised by all Irish universities.
The structure of these examinations has been agreed between the SEC, the Academic Board and
the Board of Inspectors of the European Schools. The delivery of these examinations is overseen
by a senior Examinations and Assessment Manager of the SEC. This official meets regularly
with the college of examiners in order to provide training and to ensure standardisation between
all of the non-curricular language subjects. The examinations are set and marked by highly
qualified subject experts and experienced practitioners in the relevant subject areas. The benefit
of this arrangement for the SEC is the link to an accredited syllabus in a high calibre, well
recognised examination and access to a range of expertise that would be difficult to find elsewhere.
13. EMERGENCIES DURING THE EXAMINATIONS
Each year brings a number of events which impact in significant ways on individual candidates or
on groups of candidates as they prepare for and take their examinations. Events such as serious
illness, accidents and death are deeply upsetting when they involve a close relative or friend and
can be felt with particular intensity at the time of an examination - itself a stressful event for
most. Reasonable accommodations can be made in order to assist candidates affected by such
emergencies in continuing their examinations.
The SEC is anxious to provide all the assistance it can to schools and to candidates to help them
through their examinations at what is for them a most difficult time while being careful to maintain
the highest standards of fairness and equity in the interests of the generality of candidates and of
society as a whole.
There may be a misconception that examiners can allow in some subjective way for the life
circumstances of individual students. This is not the case. Examiners are confined to applying the
marking scheme to the work actually produced at the examination. An examiner has no scope to
deviate from the marking scheme.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provide assistance to schools and
candidates in crisis situations during the examinations.
24
A candidate who is unable to take the examinations in their normal centre may be permitted to take
them in a special room in the school or in a hospital. Other arrangements can also be made
depending on the individual circumstances. Where an emergency occurs, the school is likely to be
in the best position to make the necessary alternative arrangements at short notice. In addition, the
school is authorised to make certain specified arrangements without advising the SEC.
(I) REMIT OF SCHOOLS
Schools have the authority to make a number of specified arrangements to facilitate examination
candidates based on local knowledge of what is in the best interest of the candidate and without
requesting advance permission from the SEC. The specified arrangements include granting breaks
or rest periods in each examination session that are warranted by the physical or medical condition
of the candidate; allowing candidates to take medicine, food or drinks into the examination centre
where this is required for medical reasons; allowing the candidate to move within the centre;
allowing the use of a special desk or chair; allowing the use of low vision aids used normally in
the classroom; ensuring that a candidate with a hearing impairment is positioned close to the
superintendent.
(II) HOW TO GET HELP
Throughout the examination period, SEC personnel are generally on hand from 8.30 a.m. to
9.00 p.m. on examination days, and often outside of those hours, and at weekends. Contact
may be made through the main number 090 644-2700 on a 24 hour basis and a brief message can
be left with the security staff if the office is closed. Alternatively details can be faxed to 090 644-
2744 or e mail [email protected]
14. OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
(I) CHIEF EXAMINERS’ REPORTS 2017
Chief Examiners' Reports provide a review of the performance of candidates in the
examinations and detailed analysis of the standards of answering. The Chief Examiners’
Reports on the 2016 Leaving Certificate examinations have been published and are accessible
on the Examination Material Archive on the Commission’s website www.examinations.ie .
(II) VIEWING OF LEAVING CERTIFICATE SCRIPTS
Candidates in the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied examinations are
afforded an opportunity to view their own marked scripts after the initial marking process.
The viewing allows candidates to satisfy themselves that the marking scheme has been
applied correctly to their work and, in addition to enhancing transparency, is designed
to assist candidates in making a decision to appeal a result in one or more subjects. This year,
the viewing will take place, in schools, on Friday 1st September and Saturday 2nd September
2017.
Examination and Assessment Managers monitor the viewing centres to ensure that the
viewing process conforms to the strict regulations that apply. To protect the integrity of the
process, only the organising superintendent is allowed to bring writing material or
instruments into the viewing centre, or to remove scripts from the centre.
25
(III) EXTERNAL CANDIDATES
A candidate who is not a recognised pupil in a post -primary school and who is not following
a course of study organised under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, the Adult
Literacy and Community Education Scheme, the Department of Social Protection second
level scheme for the unemployed, or other similar course, may enter for the Leaving
Certificate examination as an external candidate. This year 2,775 students have entered as
external candidates.
(IV) GRADING STRUCTURE FOR THE LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION –
NEW 2017
A new grading system will apply to all of Leaving Certificate subjects from 2017. The following
table provides an explanation of the revised grading system compared to the previous grading
system while section 5 above provides further information on this change.
OLD NEW
Level
Percentage
Grade
Descriptor Percentage
Grade
Descriptor
Higher (HL), Ordinary (OL),
Foundation/ Ard (FL), Gnath,
Bonn (CL)
≥ 90 to 100
A1
≥ 90 to 100
1
≥ 85 and < 90 A2 ≥ 80 and < 90 2
≥ 80 and < 85 B1 ≥ 70 and < 80 3
≥ 75 and < 80 B2 ≥ 60 and < 70 4
≥ 70 and < 75 B3 ≥ 50 and < 60 5
≥ 65 and < 70 C1 ≥ 40 and < 50 6
≥ 60 and < 65 C2 ≥ 30 and < 40 7
≥ 55 and < 60 C3 ≥ 0 and < 30 8
≥ 50 and < 55 D1
≥ 45 and <50 D2
≥ 40 and < 45 D3
≥ 25 and < 40 E
≥ 10 and < 25 F
≥ 0 and < 10 NG
26
(V) GRADING STRUCTURE FOR THE LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED
EXAMINATION
The Leaving Certificate Applied programme consists of a range of courses each designed on
a modular basis. The number of modules depends on the course. Each year of the two year
programme is divided into two sessions; September to January, and February to June. A
module within a given course is usually completed within one session. Over the two year
duration of the programme, participants complete 44 modules. Credits towards the final
award are accumulated throughout the two years of the programme through:
1.) Satisfactory completion of modules (Maximum of 62 credits);
2.) Performance of student tasks (Maximum of 70 credits);
3.) Performance in the final examinations (Maximum of 68 credits);
This LCA Certificate is awarded at three levels. Each level represents a percentage
range of marks as follows:
Level Percentage Range Credits
Distinction 85+ 170 - 200 credits
Merit 70>85 140 - 169 credits
Pass 60>70 120 - 139 credits
Candidates who acquire less than 120 credits or who leave before the end of the programme
receive a Record of Credits.
Unlike the Leaving Certificate grading structure, there are no changes to the existing LCA grading
structure.
27
(VI) GRADING STRUCTURE FOR THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE / JUNIOR CYCLE
EXAMINATION
English is the first subject being examined in the reformed Junior Cycle programme. A revised
grading system will apply in English this year which will be rolled out to other subjects as other
reformed subjects come on stream. This means that this year the grading that applies to English and
that which applies to all other Junior Certificate subjects will be different.
The following table provides an explanation of the current and revised grading system for Junior
Certificate / Junior Cycle subjects while more detailed information on this structure is provided at
section 5 above.
Junior Certificate Junior
Cycle
Level
Percentage
Grade
Descripto
r
Percentage
Grade
Descripto
r Higher, Ordinary, Foundation ≥ 85 to 100 A ≥ 90 to 100 Distinction
Ard, Gnath, Bonn ≥ 70 and < 85 B ≥ 75 and < 90 Higher Merit
≥ 55 and < 70 C ≥ 55 and < 75 Merit
≥ 40 and < 55 D ≥ 40 and < 55 Achieved
≥ 25 and < 40
E ≥ 20 and < 40
Partially
Achieve
d ≥ 10 and < 25
F ≥ 0 and < 20
Not Graded
(NG)
≥ 0 and < 10 NG
(VII) AWARD OF BONUS MARKS FOR ANSWERING THROUGH IRISH
At the Certificate Examinations, candidates shall, except where otherwise directed, have the option
of answering either in Irish or in English, except in the case of the subjects Irish and English and
questions in other language subjects where the use of the target language is specified. Candidates will
be supplied with Irish or English versions of the examination papers as indicated on their entry forms.
A candidate who answers in Irish at the written examination in the various subjects as set out below
may be given bonus marks in addition to the marks gained in the subject.
Bonus marks at the rate of 10 per cent of the marks obtained will be given to a candidate who
obtains less than 75 per cent of the total marks in the case of the following subjects: - Latin,
Ancient Greek, Classical Studies, Hebrew Studies, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry,
Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Science, Business, Economics, Agricultural Science, Agricultural
Economics, Home Economics, Music, Business Studies, History and Appreciation of Art, Civic,
Social and Political Education, Religious Education, Arabic, Links Modules -Written Component
only.
Bonus marks at the rate of 5 per cent will be given to a candidate who obtains less than 75 per cent
of the total marks in the case of the following subjects: French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Accounting, Engineering, Construction Studies, Materials
Technology (Wood), Metalwork, Technology, Russian, Japanese.
28
Above 75 per cent the bonus will be subjected to a uniform reduction until the candidate who
scores 100 per cent gets no bonus.
No bonus will be given in the case of the following subjects: - Technical Graphics, Technical
Drawing*, Leaving Certificate Art (other than History and Appreciation of Art).
For the purpose of the award of bonus marks, Mathematics, Paper I and Paper II, will be treated as
separate subjects.
Candidates who answer partly in Irish and partly in English will receive no bonus marks.
* Design and Communication Graphics replaced Technical Drawing as a subject in 2009.
29
15. STATISTICAL TABLES
A. EXAMINATION ENTRIES AND SITS 1927 – 2017
Year Entered Sat 1927 823 (516m/307f)
1935 2,165 (1325m/840f)
1955 6,098 (3153m/2945f)
1967 13,590
1975 29,206
1980 36,539
1989 58,435 (incl. 4,397 External)
1990 60,074 (incl. 4,928 External)
1992 60,919 LC 59,509 (incl. 4,326 External& 6,599 repeats)
1993 63,234 61,561 (incl. 4,332 External & 6,330 repeats)
1994 66,033 LC (incl. 4,845 External) 64,033 (incl. 4,120 External & 7,748 repeats)
1995 68,492 LC (incl. 4,865 External & 7,819 repeats) 66,304 (incl. 4,292 External)
1996 62,277 LC (incl. 5,087 External, 7,540
repeats) 1,278 LCA 59,176 (incl. 4,558 External)
1997 65,881 LC (incl. 4,597 External, 4,674
repeats) 1,056 LCA 63,234 (incl. 4,181 External)
750 LCA
1998 65,584 LC (incl. 4,621 External 5,226 repeats)
2,450 LCA 64,155 (incl. 4,137 External)
1,700 LCA
1999 64,761 LC (incl. 4,574 External 5,013
repeats) 2,499 LCA 62, 844 (incl. 4,089 External)
2,092 LCA
2000 62,235 LC (incl. 4,614 External, 3,889
repeats) 2,821 LCA 60,737 (incl. 4,053 External)
2,682 LCA
2001 58,388 LC (incl. 4420 External, 2786 repeats)
2928 LCA (final year exam) 56,670 (incl. 3,970 External)
2815 LCA
2002 56,837 LC (incl. 5014 External 3,384 repeats)
3130 LCA 55,435 (incl. 4,490 External, 3,217 repeats)
2003 57,722 LC (incl. 4749 External, 3298 repeats)
4763 LCA 56,237 (incl. 4,261 External, 3,298 repeats)
3299 LCA
2004 56,124 LC (incl. 4331 External, 3004 repeats)
3620 LCA (final year exams)
57,378 Junior Certificate
55,222 (incl. 3,946 External, 2,818 repeats)
3520 LCA (final year exams)
56,864
2005 55,467 LC (in cl. 4,065 External, 2,704 repeats)
3,404 LCA
57,104 Junior Certificate
54,073 (incl. 3,732 external , 2,523 repeats)
3,318 LCA
56,640 Junior Certificate
2006 52,050 LC (incl . 3,939 External, 2,099 repeats)
3,282 LCA
58,212 Junior Certificate
50,955 (incl. 3, 689 External, 1,973 repeats)
3,155 LCA
57,782 Junior Certificate
2007 52,021 LC (incl. 3,930 External, 2,020 repeats)
3,132 LCA
57,883 Junior Certificate
50,873 LC(incl. 3,651 External, 1,880 repeats)
3,021 LCA
57,287 Junior Certificate
2008 53,345 LC (incl. 4,447 External, 1,890 repeats)
3,475 LCA
57,006 Junior Certificate
52,143LC(incl. 4,101External, 1,778 repeats)
3,400 LCA
55,940 Junior Cert
2009 55,383 / 3,269 / 56,513
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate 54,197 LC (incl. 4,361 external, 2,212 Repeats)
3,264 LCA
55,557 Junior Cert
2010 55,783 / 3,418 / 57,133
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate 54,479 / 3,358 / 56,086
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate
30
2011 55,550 / 3,245 / 57,732
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate 54,344 / 3,195 / 56,841
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate
2012 53,789 / 3,301 / 59,684
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate 52,588 / 3,228 / 58,798
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate
2013 53,749/ 2,853/ 60,243
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate 52,767 / 2,810 / 59822
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate
2014
54,933/ 3,042/ 60,698
Leaving Certificate / LCA / Junior Certificate
54,025/2,964/60,328
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
2015 55,963/2,902/59,919
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
55,044/2,887/59,522
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
2016 56,595/2,811/60,652
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
55,707/2,758/60,248
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
2017 56,580/2,814/62,076
Leaving Certificate/LCA/Junior Certificate
31
B. PREDICTED LEAVING CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY COUNTY AND GENDER 2017
County Female Male Total
Carlow 411 460 871
Cavan 449 416 865
Clare 675 677 1,352
Cork 3,180 3,280 6,460
Donegal 1,146 1,061 2,207
Dublin 7,112 7,200 14,312
Galway 1,558 1,617 3,175
Kerry 961 850 1,811
Kildare 1,324 1,416 2,740
Kilkenny 508 517 1,025
Laois 427 448 875
Leitrim 248 223 471
Limerick 1,236 1,320 2,556
Longford 295 269 564
Louth 898 829 1,727
Mayo 797 824 1,621
Meath 1,079 1,115 2,194
Monaghan 428 422 850
Offaly 444 425 869
Roscommon 248 250 498
Sligo 371 389 760
Tipperary N.R. 556 474 1,030
Tipperary S.R. 536 594 1,130
Waterford 804 828 1,632
Westmeath 747 705 1,452
Wexford 978 879 1,857
Wicklow 818 817 1,635
Counties Total 28,234 28,305 56,539
Malta 17 24 41
TOTAL 28,251 28,329 56,580
32
C. PREDICTED LEAVING CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY SUBJECT AND GENDER 2017
Subjects Female Male Total
Irish 24,787 23,805 48,592
English 27,294 27,593 54,887
Mathematics 27,581 27,948 55,529
Accounting 3,361 3,749 7,110
Agricultural Economics 17 65 82
Agricultural Science 3,166 4,700 7,866
Ancient Greek - - 17
Applied Mathematics 563 1,531 2,094
Arabic 61 76 137
Art 6,370 3,334 9,704
Biology 20,950 14,062 35,012
Business 9,061 8,935 17,996
Chemistry 5,329 4,409 9,738
Classical Studies 286 343 629
Construction Studies 894 8,116 9,010
Design & Communication
Graphics 736 4,904 5,640
Economics 2,101 3,949 6,050
Engineering 330 5,089 5,419
French 14,765 11,087 25,852
Geography 10,775 13,669 24,444
German 4,387 3,763 8,150
Hebrew Studies - - -
History 5,365 7,168 12,533
Home Economics S & S 10,561 1,473 12,034
Italian 348 165 513
Japanese 181 138 319
Latin 17 69 86
Link Modules 7,840 6,643 14,483
Music 4,534 2,053 6,587
Physics 2,055 5,793 7,848
Physics & Chemistry 247 368 615
Religious Education 740 668 1,408
Russian 172 153 325
Spanish 4,043 3,176 7,219
Technology 280 1,292 1,572
- Less than 10 female, male or total candidates
Notes: The entry figures for the non-curricular language subjects are shown in a separate table on
page 16.
33
D. PREDICTED LEAVING CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY SUBJECT AND LEVEL 2017
Higher
Level
Ordinary
Level
Foundation
Level Total
Irish 23,415 22,726 2,451 48,592
English 40,398 14,489 54,887
Mathematics 19,958 33,549 2,022 55,529
Accounting 5,907 1,203 7,110
Agricultural Economics - - 82
Agricultural Science 7,186 680 7,866
Ancient Greek - - 17
Applied Mathematics 2,060 34 2,094
Arabic 117 20 137
Art 8,350 1,354 9,704
Biology 30,902 4,110 35,012
Business 15,391 2,605 17,996
Chemistry 9,125 613 9,738
Classic Studies 607 22 629
Construction Studies 8,164 846 9,010
Design and Communication
Graphics 4,702 938 5,640
Economics 5,517 533 6,050
Engineering 4,776 643 5,419
French 18,338 7,514 25,852
Geography 21,413 3,031 24,444
German 6,387 1,763 8,150
Hebrew Studies - - -
History 9,951 2,582 12,533
Home Economics 10,526 1,508 12,034
Italian 416 97 513
Japanese 301 18 319
Latin - - 86
LCVP Link Modules (Common) 14,483
Music 6,255 332 6,587
Physics 7,189 659 7,848
Physics and Chemistry 540 75 615
Religious Education 1,339 69 1,408
Russian 317 8 325
Spanish 5,467 1,752 7,219
Technology 1,425 147 1,572
- Less than 10 female, male or total candidates
34
E. LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPEALS 2016 A total of 5,464 candidates made applications for appeals against 9,500 grades leading to 1,724 upgrades. This represents
0.45% of the 391,356 of all grades awarded. There was one downgrade.
Level Grades Appeals Upgrades
Accounting A 4,867 168 60
Agricultural Science A 6,270 257 117
Applied Mathematics A 1,917 47 8
Art A 7,789 230 30
Biology G 8,890 11 1
Biology A 25,213 1,079 256
Business A 12,562 561 60
Chemisty A 7,658 396 73
Classical Studies A 551 41 10
Construction Studies A 7,087 80 10
Design & communication A 4,350 107 10
Economics A 4,633 243 34
Engineering A 4,489 36 9
English G 17,132 34 15
English A 36,578 1,511 195
French A 15,253 495 79
French G 10,505 29 4
Geography A 18,669 574 98
German A 5,257 216 51
History A 8,752 310 74
Home Economics A 8,755 258 43
Irish G 23,593 38 4
Irish A 20,098 730 113
Italian A 366 22 8
Links Modules C 14,655 182 44
Mathematics A 15,198 750 138
Mathematics G 32,550 431 74
Mathematics B 6,478 11 3
Music A 6,046 198 21
Physics A 6,003 190 30
Physics & Chemistry A 439 13 1
Religious Education A 1,143 44 4
Spanish A 4,405 128 33
Technology A 1,244 18 2 Smaller numbers of appeals were processed in:
Level:* A = Ard (Higher), G = Gnath (Ordinary), B = Bonn (Foundation), C = Common.
Higher Level: Agricultural Economics, Ancient Greek, Bulgarian, Japanese, Latin, Polish, Romanian, Latvian, Hungarian.
Ordinary Level: Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Economics, Geography,
German, History, Italian, Music, Physics, Spanish
Foundation Level: Irish
.
35
F. PREDICTED LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED ENTRIES BY C O UNT Y A ND GENDER 2017
County Female Male Total
Carlow - - 30
Cavan 23 32 55
Clare 39 47 86
Cork 116 95 211
Donegal 55 59 114
Dublin 289 401 690
Galway 43 34 77
Kerry 42 37 79
Kildare 70 103 173
Kilkenny 13 23 36
Laois 26 13 39
Leitrim - - -
Limerick 80 112 192
Longford - - -
Louth 74 81 155
Mayo 41 57 98
Meath 57 66 123
Monaghan 11 32 43
Offaly 31 51 82
Roscommon - - 24
Sligo - - 29
Tipperary N.R. 30 39 69
Tipperary S.R. 16 28 44
Waterford 52 70 122
Westmeath - - 23
Wexford 59 72 131
Wicklow 32 44 76
Total 1,259 1,555 2,814
- Less than 10 female, male or total candidates
36
G. PREDICTED LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED ENTRIES BY SUBJECT AND GENDER 2017
Subject Female Male Total
French 627 742 1,369
German 183 287 470
Spanish 381 464 845
Italian 55 54 109
Gaeilge Chumarsáideach 1,249 1,546 2,795
English And Communication 1,256 1,553 2,809
Social Education 1,256 1,553 2,809
Arts 1,255 1,550 2,805
Leisure&Rec Incl Physical Educ 1,256 1,552 2,808
Information & Communication Tech. 442 545 987
Mathematical Applications 1,256 1,553 2,809
Agriculture/ Horticulture 75 166 241
Hotel Catering & Tourism 701 723 1,424
Craft & Design 216 294 510
Engineering 108 351 459
Technology 20 34 54
Graphics And Construction Studies 334 754 1,088
Childcare / Community Care 268 36 304
Office Admin And Customer Care 149 123 272
Active Leisure Studies 42 72 114
Hair And Beauty 161 12 173
37
H. PREDICTED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY COUNTY AND GENDER 2017
County Female Male Total
Carlow 454 475 929
Cavan 437 445 882
Clare 763 737 1,500
Cork 3,418 3,525 6,943
Donegal 1,168 1,186 2,354
Dublin 7,710 7,756 15,466
Galway 1,615 1,675 3,290
Kerry 930 937 1,867
Kildare 1,524 1,744 3,268
Kilkenny 581 572 1,153
Laois 489 517 1,006
Leitrim 245 240 485
Limerick 1,334 1,404 2,738
Longford 346 374 720
Louth 982 1,098 2,080
Mayo 879 840 1,719
Meath 1,293 1,366 2,659
Monaghan 403 429 832
Offaly 533 553 1,086
Roscommon 288 316 604
Sligo 392 425 817
Tipperary N.R. 614 536 1,150
Tipperary S.R. 563 611 1,174
Waterford 845 897 1,742
Westmeath 757 743 1,500
Wexford 1,046 1,106 2,152
Wicklow 905 1,055 1,960
Grand Total 30,514 31,562 62,076
38
I. PREDICTED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY SUBJECT AND GENDER 2017
Subject Female Male Total
Irish 27,758 26,838 54,596
English 30,342 31,266 61,608
Mathematics 30,378 31,317 61,695
Ancient Greek - - 29
Art, Craft, Design 13,115 7,435 20,550
Business Studies 17,176 17,696 34,872
C.S.P.E 29,393 30,173 59,566
Classical Studies 181 406 587
Environ & Social Studies 225 313 538
French 17,212 14,777 31,989
Geography 28,276 28,888 57,164
German 5,881 6,330 12,211
History 27,879 28,512 56,391
Home Economics 18,665 3,710 22,375
Italian 295 160 455
Jewish Studies - - -
Latin 47 217 264
Material Technology (Wood) 2,914 14,453 17,367
Metalwork 813 7,139 7,952
Music 7,950 3,095 11,045
Religious Education 14,616 13,429 28,045
Science 28,146 29,724 57,870
Spanish 5,452 4,976 10,428
Technical Graphics 2,176 10,450 12,626
Technology 662 2,948 3,610
- Less than 10 female, male or total candidates
39
J. PREDICTED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE ENTRIES BY SUBJECT AND LEVEL 2017
Subject
Higher
Level Ordinary Foundation
Grand
Total
Irish 32,409 21,153 1,034 54,596
English 49,125 12,483 61,608
Mathematics 36,560 22,786 2,349 61,695
Ancient Greek - - 29
Art, Craft, Design 17,123 3,427 20,550
Business Studies 28,628 6,244 34,872
C.S.P.E (Common Level) 59,566
Classical Studies 519 68 587
Environ & Social Studies 222 316 538
French 24,851 7,138 31,989
Geography 49,407 7,757 57,164
German 9,972 2,239 12,211
History 44,419 11,972 56,391
Home Economics 19,196 3,179 22,375
Italian 359 96 455
Jewish Studies - - -
Latin - - 264
Material Technology
(Wood) 14,441 2,926 17,367
Metalwork 6,304 1,648 7,952
Music 9,490 1,555 11,045
Religious Education 23,956 4,089 28,045
Science 47,259 10,611 57,870
Spanish 8,128 2,300 10,428
Technical Graphics 9,517 3,109 12,626
Technology 3,252 358 3,610
- Less than 10 female, male or total candidates
40
K. JUNIOR CERTIFIC ATE APPEALS 2016
Following the release of the 2016 Junior Certificate results, appeals were made against
3,800 grades, leading to 875 upgrades. There were no downgrades.
Subject Level
No. of
Candidates Appeals Upgrades
C.S.P.E Common 58,627 155 48
Geography Higher 47,596 432 99
English Higher 45,057 769 262
Science Higher 43,898 329 56
History Higher 39,993 204 67
Mathematics Higher 32,830 217 44
Irish Higher 29,770 294 68
Irish Ordinary 21,566 18 5
French Higher 24,197 248 17
Business Studies Higher 26,162 385 73
Religious Education Higher 22,847 64 4
Home Economics Higher 17,927 94 28
Art, Craft & Design Higher 15,589 241 51
Materials Technology Wood Higher 13,636 61 12
German Higher 9,128 74 10
Music Higher 9,050 85 9
Technical Graphics Higher 8,684 47 3
Spanish Higher 6,874 19 3
Metalwork Higher 6,257 11 2
Technology Higher 3,154 13 2
Classical Studies Higher 516 16 8
Small numbers of appeals were also processed in the following subjects:
Higher Level: Latin,
Ordinary Level: Art , Cr af t & Des i gn ,Business Studies, English, French, Mathematics,
and Technology
Foundation Level: English
41
APPENDIX A – TIMETABLES AND SCHEDULES
• The timetable for the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied written
examinations in June 2017
• A schedule of examination dates for the non-written examinations at the Leaving
Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational
Programme
• The timetable for the Junior Certificate written examinations in June 2017
• A schedule of examination dates for non-written examinations at Junior
Certificate
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