It will be easier for Junior Cycle students to achieve the two top grades in their exams under changes to Junior Cycle grade bands announced by Minister for Education Helen McEntee.
Marks for the two top bands, Distinction and Higher Merit, are being widened, making them easier to attain.
The changes will come into effect for the more than 73,000 students due to sit their Junior Cycle examinations this coming June.
A Distinction will now be awarded for marks from 85% upwards. It was previously awarded for marks from 90%.
A Higher Merit will now be awarded for marks between 70% to 85%, instead of marks between 75% to 90%.
The changes have been announced as the minister prepares to address teachers at their annual trade union conferences today and tomorrow.
"This will have a positive impact on students, ensuring their grades are more reflective of their work and effort, as well as of the work of our teachers," Ms McEntee said.
"It can be expected that higher numbers of students will achieve Distinction and Higher Merit grades with this change.
"They remain sufficiently broad to ensure that students can focus on learning and engaging in school, and on becoming independent, resourceful and confident learners, rather than focusing solely on examinations," she added.
Speaking later to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said that her ambition is that the Leaving Cert reform is a success.
"I will work with our teachers for us to achieve our objective and my goal and I set it at the outset, is to make sure that every young person is supported to achieve their full potential. And when it comes to leaving search reform, I think we're all on the same page here.
"Our representative and teachers have said change is what is needed to make sure that young people are supported and are equipped to deal with the world that we live in now," she added.
Ms McEntee addressed primary school teachers at the INTO annual congress in Galway this morning.
She then travelled to Killarney to address post-primary ASTI delegates at their annual convention.
