More than 140,000 Leaving and Junior Cycle students will turn the page on their English exam at 9.30am today, kicking off the 2026 exam season that finishes on Tuesday, June 23rd with applied mathematics at Leaving Cert level.
Key reads
- Leaving Cert: 10 tips for parents supporting an exam student this month
- Classroom to College newsletter: your essential Leaving Cert guide
- Eoin Murphy from Co Mayo explains why he’s annoyed about having to wear his school uniform in the exam hall
- And Danny Goff from Co Wexford on preparing for the exams and having Type 1 diabetes
On that subject, I think it is worth mentioning the students who may not come from the most straightforward backgrounds. Those who may have experienced trauma, have special educational needs, who maybe do not learn the same way as others.
Dr Katriona O’Sullivan, a senior lecturer in the psychology department of Maynooth University, wrote a memoir about the poverty she grew up in, her parents who had addition issues, her teenage pregnancy and her time living in a care home.
That memoir, Poor, certainly changed the way I thought about class, privilege and the trauma some children in this country experience.
She took to her Instagram page this week to remind us all that not every child is equal, and sometimes the Leaving Certificate exams can be a blunt instrument in assessing potential.
These are her words:
“The Leaving Cert is influenced by your brain and bodies capabilities to focus and feel safe, by the school you go to, by your family background, by how diverse you are, by anxiety, by friendships ... by how many grinds you had, by how much money you have.
“It does not accurately measure potential. Please remember this is not the end no matter how it goes. There is a world of ways to achieve your dreams. To find your dreams. I left school age 15 no Leaving Cert no hope.
“I’m a professor
“I’m a bestselling author
“And I’m happy.
“This is not the end this is just the beginning.”
So that’s it, the clock has started on this year’s exams, the pages are turned and the wheels are spinning.
English Paper One has been handed out to students, while many parents must be sitting over a cup of tea taking in what is a big moment in their lives too.
Brian Mooney has some advice for those parents here.
I think this is my favourite:
10) Do not over hype the importance of any examination
It is very easy in the middle of a stress-inducing experience such as a major examination to get the whole event totally out of perspective. Parents need to be aware that sons or daughters taking terminal examinations can sometimes mistakenly believe that their standing in their parent’s eyes is dependent on their examination success. Parents should ensure that their son or daughter facing the State examinations over the coming weeks is absolutely clear, that your unconditional love and regard for them is in no way dependent on how they perform in the Leaving Certificate. This affirmation is the greatest gift you can give them on the eve of their examinations.
Here is the Leaving Certificate timetable:
What happens if I’m late or sick for an exam?
Candidates are required to be seated in the test centre 30 minutes before the exam is due to start – so that’s 9am today.
However, if you are late, you will still be admitted into the hall up to 30 minutes into the exam.
If you are sick, you might be able to defer your exam – but a simple headcold won’t do it.
It must be a “life-threatening medical emergency”, according to the State examinations Commission, and you need supporting evidence from a medical consultant – not a GP.
Candidates who suffer bereavement of a close family member between May 29th and 23 June 23rd may also be eligible to defer.
The deferred exams take place between Wednesday, June 24th and Saturday, July 11th.
Nerves, excitement, pressure – how are your peers feeling these last couple days? You can watch their video diaries here:
Today a record-breaking 66,911 students are due to begin their Leaving Certificate exams.
It is the highest ever level of students, breaking the previous record set in 1995 of 66,304.
It begins with English Paper One at 9.30am this morning, followed by Home Economics from 2pm.
The exams last 15 days, closing out on June 23rd with Applied Maths.
The Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied exams take place alongside this.
Much work and preparation has gone into these exams, and it’s understandable if nerves are frayed in some quarters.
For other students today may just be like any other day, no big deal, they have bigger fish to fry.
Whatever your approach, your background, or your ambitions, we would love to hear from you as the days go on.
I will be here running our live coverage every day, and you can email me at niamh.towey@irishtimes.com.
