A record number of students in Ireland received their Leaving Certificate exam results

DUBLIN — A record number of students in Ireland received their Leaving Certificate exam results from yesterday, with more than 17,000 students in Dublin also taking part in this historic moment. A total of 70,411 candidates nationwide received their results yesterday.

The 2026 exam batch is the largest in Irish history. There has been a 15% increase in the number of students compared to previous years. However, there has been a decrease in the number of those who achieved high marks in this year's Leaving Cert.

As of 10 am, 70,411 students were able to check their results online and in schools. The percentage of H1 grades decreased from 12.1% last year to 10.1% this year. 

At the general level, O1 grades also fell to 2.7% from 3.7% last year. 

Meanwhile, post-marking adjustments increased more than a third (35.5%) of grades.

Post-marking adjustments, known as grade inflation, were introduced in 2021 to cope with learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Hildegard Naughton said her department was committed to a "gradual return to normal Leaving Certificate results".

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

The State Examination Commission said it was conscious of "minimizing the impact on candidates to the maximum extent possible, to ensure that there is no disruption in terms of returning to pre-pandemic results."

Meanwhile, there was a steady shift towards higher level examinations, with 74% of students opting for higher level, compared to only 24.6% of those who took the ordinary level examinations. The number of foundation level students remained stable at 1.4%.

About 93% followed the traditionally established program, while the remaining 7% completed the practical program, which helps students focus more on work-related modules.

Grade adjustment and assessments

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has made special mark adjustments this year to maintain results similar to the high pass rates during the Covid period. About 35% of the total grades were adjusted in this way. Education Minister Norma Foley had assured students that there would be no sudden drop in the high grade standards of previous years.

Most subjects saw increases in their enrollment this year, especially technology (21% increase), religious education (20% increase), physical education (25% increase), and computer science (10% increase).

This is the first year that students with special educational needs will receive their results. 

The aim of the new Senior Cycle Level 1 and 2 learning programmes is to prepare students for life beyond school. Around 306 students will receive their results in 78 schools across the country. 

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegard Naughton congratulated those who achieved success, including students who achieved success in the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 learning programs.

Now focus on CAO allotments

With the exam results available on the online portal, students' attention is now on college admissions. The Central Applications Office (CAO) will release its first round of college offers next week.

Due to a record increase in the number of applicants, fierce competition is expected for popular courses at leading universities such as Trinity College (TCD) and University College Dublin (UCD).

If you or someone you know has achieved excellent results in this year's Leaving Certificate exams, we would like you to send us that information. 

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* Student's name and photo

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* Marks / Grade (Points) obtained

* Contact phone number and parents' names.

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