Leaving Certificate 2021

1.The Minister has issued a statement setting out the broad parameters of arrangements for this year’s Leaving Certificate examination.
The main elements are as follows:

Written Leaving Certificate examinations will be put in place, which will –

• Operate in accordance with the normal timetables
• Be conducted subject to public health advice and providing, as far as possible, access to the examinations for very high-risk students, and,
• Be supported by clear information and guidance to students and schools.

2. Additional assessment components, such as orals, practical performance tests and coursework will be put in place, subject to public health advice, with components in certain subjects not operating for public health reasons. Assessment will be arranged by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).

3. An Accredited Grades system, to be operated by the SEC, will be available whereby Leaving Certificate candidates can opt to have grades in some or all of their subjects (to be known as “SEC Accredited Grades”) issued to them at the same time as the examination results.

4. There will be a process of standardisation at national level to ensure as much fairness as possible amongst this year’s candidates.

5. The SEC Accredited Grade and examinations outcomes will have regard to the pattern of results in 2020 and previously, with more details of the process to be determined by the Minister having regard to advice from the SEC

6. A right for students to appeal in respect of their Accredited Grade which will comprise a process review focused on examining possible errors in the transmission and processing of student data, and,

7. Provision as far as practicable for out-of-school learners or students studying one or more subjects outside school to apply to receive Accredited Grades through the devising of an appropriate and practicable process

8. The timetable for this year's exams can be accessed HERE