Almost 62,000 students are receiving their Leaving Certificate results, which have been artificially boosted by an average of almost 8%.
The adjustment has been made following a promise made by Minister for Education Norma Foley that results received by the class of 2023 would be no lower than last year's.
This year’s post-marking adjustment is considerably higher than that applied to last year’s results.
Last year’s marks were artificially increased by an average of 5.6%. This year the average hike is 7.9% and 71% of all grades awarded have risen as a result, compared to 50% last year.
This is the third year of disruption to the setting and marking of exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State Examinations Commission has said that the stronger adjustment was needed because this year’s base aggregate results were significantly lower than those of 2022.
They were closer to marks received in 2019, before the pandemic disruption.
This may be good news for many of this year's students, but it may mean others could lose out on a coveted college place where random selection is used.
The SEC has pointed out that the exam experience of this year’s students was also closer to that of pre-pandemic years, with some allowances that were made for students in 2021 and 2022 removed.
For instance, a concession that saw last year’s students required to answer fewer questions in written exams was taken away this year.
Students can access their results online or at their school.
Schools have been asked to make arrangements to support candidates receiving results.
Students will receive their adjusted marks today but can view their original marks and see the adjustments that were made from next Tuesday.
Congratulations
President of the Association of Secondary School Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Geraldine O'Brien has congratulated students receiving their Leaving Cert results, calling it "a day to celebrate the beginning of the next phase of their lives".
Ms O'Brien said a key learning from the pandemic is that the integrity of the Leaving Cert must be protected and that any changes must be built upon fairness for students and trust in the system.
"Your teachers are very proud of each and every one of you today," she said.
"I urge those of you celebrating to do so safely. I wish you every happiness and success over the coming weeks and in your future lives."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister Foley congratulated the class of 2023 as well as their teachers, families and guardians "who journeyed with them".
Minister for Higher and Further Education Simon Harris encouraged those receiving results to take the time to "enjoy what is an incredibly special moment".
"In advance of the CAO offers being issued next week, I would also like to remind students that there are so many pathways out there towards their chosen studies and dream career," Minister Harris said.
"If they do not receive offers for one of their preferred courses do not give up - please know that there other routes available.
"There are plenty of courses which can get you where you want to go, be it through PLC and Further Education courses, apprenticeships or the recently announced unified tertiary courses in which students will be able to enroll in one of 23 new degree courses outside of the CAO points race across a wide range of sectors – for the first time ever."
Post marking adjustment
Minister Foley had instructed the SEC to ensure that "the overall set of Leaving Certificate results for 2023, should in the aggregate be no lower than 2022".
The SEC said that the initial marking of exam papers revealed that results were lower across the board compared to the unadjusted marks of 2022.
As was the case in 2022, the gap to be bridged was wider at the lower end than the upper.
Once again the SEC adjusted marks on a sliding scale with a greater adjustment at the lower end.
So while an additional 12 marks were added to a score of 10%, an extra nine points were added to a score of 50% and an additional six to a score of 90%.
A similar approach was adopted with Leaving Certificate Applied results but with a slightly larger adjustment.
Read more: Does Leaving Cert grade inflation really matter?
The SEC has stressed that all adjustments were upwards and that no student's marks were downgraded during this process.
It also said that the adjustment process did not tamper with the order of achievement in any subject and that no student’s results can have 'leapfrogged’ another’s.
14.6% of marks awarded at Higher Level this year were H1s, compared to 14.8% last year and 14.3% in 2021.
The ongoing adjustment of marks means that current Leaving Certificate grades remain considerably inflated compared to those awarded prior to the pandemic.
This year's outcomes, like those of the past two years, are 7% higher than student outcomes in 2019.
Leaving Certificate Applied
The number of students opting for the alternative Leaving Certificate Applied programme has risen by 37% since 2019. This year alone the proportion rose by 21%.
Like the established Leaving Certificate programme, the LCA is a two-year course, but it is more focused on developing practical life skills and students complete more of their formal assessment as they progress.
Despite the increase the number of students taking this pathway remains comparatively small, at 3,730 this year.
Read more:
Leaving Cert Applied: The alternative pathway to college
