Junior Cycle exam and results
- Junior Cycle exam
- Junior Cycle awards and grades
- Junior Cycle exam fee
- Junior Cycle results 2022
- How to appeal your results
- Further information
Junior Cycle exam
The Junior Cycle examination is held at the end of the Junior Cycle in post-primary schools. The Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) has replaced the Junior Certificate. It adds a classroom-based assessment based on the work completed by the student during second and third year.
The written examination takes place in June of the third year of the Junior Cycle.
For information about Junior Cycle results 2022 – see below.
The Department of Education has published the assessment arrangements for Junior Cycle 2023.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) provides timetables for the Junior Cycle written examinations, practical course work as well as previous Junior Certificate examination papers.
Junior Cycle awards and grades
In 2022, the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) fully replaced the Junior Certificate. It adds a classroom-based assessment to the exam which is based on work completed by the student during second and third year.
Students in second year sit standardised tests in Maths and English reading (or Irish reading in Irish-medium schools). Standardised testing in Science is also included.
More information about the changes to the Junior Cycle is available from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement grades
| Percentage Range | Grade |
| 90 or over | Distinction |
| 75 but less than 90 | Higher Merit |
| 55 but less than 75 | Merit |
| 40 but less than 55 | Achieved |
| 20 but less than 40 | Partially Achieved |
| Less than 20 | Not Graded |
From 2014 to 2021, both the old Junior Certificate grade bands of “A-NG” and the new Junior Cycle descriptors of “Not Achieved-Distinction” appeared on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Award.
Junior Cycle exam fee
There was no exam fee for the Junior Cycle exam 2022.
Students sitting for the Junior Cycle normally must pay an examination fee. In early February of the exam year, 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 has a medical card do not have to pay the fee. You fill in details of the medical card on the form and return the form back to the school.
Junior Cycle results 2022
The Junior Cycle 2022 exam results were issued to schools on Wednesday 23 November 2022.
You can get your results from your school and on the State Examinations Commission website. To access your results online you need your examination number and PIN number. You can get both these numbers from your school.
Getting your results from previous years
To get a certified statement of examination, you can either apply in writing or use the application form. You must provide 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)
Send your completed application form together with the appropriate fee to the State Examinations Commission.
How to appeal your results
If you want to appeal your Junior Cycle examination results, you should apply through your school.
In 2022, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will confirm if there is any appeal fee. In 2019, the appeal fee was €32.