Leaving Certificate
- Introduction
- Leaving Certificate 2024
- Leaving Certificate 2023
- Leaving Certificate subjects and assessment
- Leaving Certificate exam fee
- Getting a copy of your old Leaving Certificate results
- Further information
Introduction
Most Senior Cycle students choose the established Leaving Certificate programme. This 2-year programme covers a wide range of subjects.
Subjects are normally studied at either Ordinary or Higher Level. Irish and Mathematics can be studied at Foundation Level. Foundation Level is geared to the needs of students who might have difficulty with subjects at Ordinary or Higher Level.
Leaving Certificate 2024
You can get information about the assessment arrangements for the Leaving Certificate 2024 exams.
The State Examinations Commission will publish the exam timetable for Leaving Certificate 2024.
Leaving Certificate 2023
The Leaving Certificate 2023 written exam ran from 7 June 2023 to 27 June 2023.
The Leaving Certificate 2023 results were issued on the Candidate Self Service Portal (CSSP) on Friday, 25 August 2023.
Leaving Certificate subjects and assessment
The Department of Education publishes syllabus and curriculum information. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment provides a list of Leaving Certificate subjects.
Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate reform
The Department of Education has announced plans to reform the Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate. It has set up the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board to oversee changes. A selection of schools will be invited to become pilot schools. You can read about changes to the Senior Cycle.
Marking system for examination grades
The examination scale has 8 grades, the highest grade is Grade 1 and the lowest grade is Grade 8.
The 8-point grading scale replaced the 14-point scale at both Higher and Ordinary levels in 2017.
Marks between 100% and 30% are divided into seven grade bands (1-7). Each band is 10% wide.
The scheme means that the Common Points Scale used by the CAO to determine entry into higher education institutions, was also revised in 2017. You can read more on transition.ie.
| New grades* | % Marks |
| H1/O1 | 90 - 100 |
| H2/O2 | 80 < 90 |
| H3/O3 | 70 < 80 |
| H4/O4 | 60 < 70 |
| H5/O5 | 50 < 60 |
| H6/O6 | 40 < 50 |
| H7/O7 | 30 <40 |
| H8/O8 | 0 < 30 |
*Grades at Higher level are prefixed with H. Grades at Ordinary level are prefixed with O.
Marking system (2015/16)
| Percentage Range | Grade |
| 90% or over | A1 |
| 85% but less than 90% | A2 |
| 80% but less than 85% | B1 |
| 75% but less than 80% | B2 |
| 70% but less than 75% | B3 |
| 65% but less than 70% | C1 |
| 60% but less than 65% | C2 |
| 55% but less than 60% | C3 |
| 50% but less than 55% | D1 |
| 45% but less than 50% | D2 |
| 40% but less than 45% | D3 |
| 25% but less than 40% | E |
| 10% but less than 25% | F |
| Less than 10% | No grade |
Leaving Certificate exam fee
There will be no fee for the Leaving Certificate exam in 2024.
Getting a copy of your old Leaving Certificate results
You may be asked for evidence that you have completed State examinations when you apply for a job or for further education. It is always useful to have a copy of your results as well as the original Certificate, especially if you plan to work or study outside Ireland.
The State Examinations Commission can give you a certified statement of your results.