Junior Certificate
Information
The Junior Certificate examination is held at the end of the Junior Cycle in post-primary schools. The Junior Cycle caters for students aged from 12 to 15 years and students normally sit the exam at the age of 14 or 15, after 3 years of post-primary education. However, the Junior Certificate is not limited to post-primary school students.
A candidate following an approved course of study outside the State or who is attending an approved course of study organised under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, adult literacy and community education schemes, the Department of Social Protection's Back to Education scheme for the unemployed or a similar scheme, may also sit the exams. There is information about continuing education schemes elsewhere on this website.
Proposed changes to Junior Cycle
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has produced new proposals (pdf) for reform of the Junior Cycle. These include a cap on the number of subjects to be assessed; new “statements of essential learning”; a mix of exam and portfolio assessment; and a new Level 2 award for students with special needs.
Read the detailed proposals from the NCCA (pdf).
Junior Certificate subjects
Twenty-six subjects are currently available, however, not all schools offer them. Read details of syllabus and curriculum information.
The subjects are:
- Irish
- English
- Mathematics
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Greek
- Classical Studies
- Hebrew Studies
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Science
- Technology
- Home Economics
- Music
- Art, Craft and Design
- Material Technology (Wood)
- Metalwork
- Technical Graphics
- Business Studies
- Typewriting
- Environmental and Social Studies
- Civic, Social and Political Education
- Religious Education
All students must follow courses in Irish (except where exemptions apply), English, Mathematics and Civic, Social and Political Education. There may be other compulsory subjects, depending on the type of school. Examinations in a number of other EU languages are offered to students who meet certain criteria.
Assessment and examinations
The Junior Certificate is assessed by means of a written examination at the end of the three-year programme, along with practical examinations and project work in some subjects and oral and aural examinations in Irish and continental languages.
The practical and oral examinations take place during the third year of the programme. The written examination takes place in June.
Examination fees
Students sitting for the Junior Certificate must pay an examination fee by 30 January the year the exam takes place - see 'Rates' below. This fee is paid through the school.
Examination grades
| Percentage Range | Grade |
| 85 or over | A |
| 70 but less than 85 | B |
| 55 but less than 70 | C |
| 40 but less than 55 | D |
| 25 but less than 40 | E |
| 10 but less than 25 | F |
| Less than 10 | No Grade |
You can find the timetables for the Junior Certificate written examinations (pdf) and for the practical course work (pdf) as well as the Junior Certificate examination papers on the website of the State Examinations Commission.
Rules
The school sends parents who are paying the examination fee a form. The parent makes the payment through a bank and the bank must stamp the form. The parent then returns the form to the school.
Students whose parent or guardian holds a current medical card do not have to pay the fee. In the case of parents who have a current medical card, details of the medical card are put on the form and the parent then sends the form back to the school.
Rates
The examination fee for the Junior Certificate in 2011 is €103.
The examination fee for VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) and analagous students is as follows:
- Leaving Certificate (3+ subjects) is €109
- Mix of Leaving Certificate/Junior Certificate subjects (3+) is €109
- Junior Certificate (3+ subjects) is €103
- 1 or 2 subjects - LC/JC/mix of both is €67
How to apply
The State Examinations Commission manages and adminsters the State Certificate Examinations including the:
- Established Leaving Certificate
- Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
- Leaving Certificate Applied
- Junior Certificate Examinations
Appealing your results: If you wish to appeal your examination results, you should apply through your school. The appeal fee is €32 per subject which is refunded if your result is upgraded.
To request a certified statement of examination results you can either apply in writing or download and complete application form (pdf). Your application should specify the following personal details:
- Full name
- Name at the time of the examination (if different)
- Current address
- Daytime phone number
- Date of birth
- Year of examination
- Name and address of school attended
- Examination number (if known)
Forward your completed application form together with the appropriate fee of €13.50 to the State Examinations Commission.
Where to apply
State Examinations Commission
Cornamaddy
Athlone
Westmeath
Ireland
Tel:+353 (0)90 644 2700
Fax:+353 (0)90 644 2744
Homepage: http://www.examinations.ie/
Language
Related Documents
- Junior Cycle
The first three-year period of second-level education is called the Junior Cycle. - Established Leaving Certificate
This document describes the established Leaving Certificate programme. - Moving your children to secondary school
Different schooling options available in the secondary school system in Ireland and outlines the state examination system.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.