Almost 59,000 Leaving Certificate candidates received their results today.
More than 3,500 of these students sat the Leaving Certificate Applied, while about 2,800 others repeated the exams.
Over 5,000 or 10% of all students failed Maths either at higher, ordinary or foundation level.
The pattern is similar to last year and the Chief Examiner in Maths has complained students are not giving the subject the kind of attention it requires.
The failure rate in English remains low. 77% - slightly more than last year - achieved Honours, while 80% of those taking Ordinary level got a Grade C3 or higher.
Failure rates across all science subjects remain high, with Physics & Chemistry the second highest of all subjects, at 33%.
18% failed Ordinary level Biology compared to fewer than 4% of students of Ordinary level Business.
But the hardest subject to pass seems to be Classical Studies, with a 40% failure rate.
‘Easy’ subjects include Music, with a 2% failure rate,
English (3%), and Business Studies, Irish and Art, all on 4%.
83% of those taking Higher level French got Honours - one of the highest honours rates in any subject, though overall French was among the harder subjects in which to achieve Honours.
Toughest seem to have been Economics, with only 70% of students managing it, followed by Agricultural Science and French (71%), and Business at 72%.
The falling population has meant there were 2,500 fewer applicants to the CAO this year compared with last. Consequently points requirements should be lower.
This does not, however, apply to medicine, law and veterinary science, as demand for such courses is simply too high.
Contacts for results: www.examinations.ie or 1530 719 290 (33c/min) or +353 1 258 8588 from abroad, international call rates. Requires exam and PIN numbers.
