Over 120,000 students began the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams in centres all over the country today. The exams will end on 23 June with the delivery of Leaving Certificate results to schools taking place on 16 August. Educational experts are also predicting a slowdown in the so-called points race for third level places in many courses, because of the success of the Irish economy. Fewer people are now opting to repeat their exams preferring instead to avail of the employment opportunities presented by the buoyant economy, thus easing pressure on the demand for certain courses.
Entry levels for courses such as dentistry, medicine and pharmacy, which have minimal number of places available, however, are likely to remain high. The Department of Education will also introduce a new phone service this year for students who wish to obtain their results without having to go to their own schools.
