A total of 51,149 students get leaving cert results today

For exactly 51,149 students, this day is one they will likely remember for life – the day they receive their Leaving Cert results.

From this morning, the results are available in schools, while from students who are not in a position to collect their results in person from their school can access them through the State Examinations Commission (SEC) internet results service.

This is the second year in which the new Leaving Certificate grading system has been in use.

The new grading system reduces the number of grades from 14 in the old system, which was in place since 1992, to 8 under the revised arrangements.

There has been no change in the examination standards of the Leaving Certificate, rather the change relates to how candidates’ results are reported to them through the new grading system.

According to the SEC, the results obtained this year are generally broadly in line with those obtained in 2017.

What Candidates Should Do Next

Candidates receiving results today can find detailed information about viewing their scripts and appealing their results in the 2018 Candidate Information Booklet which they received before the examinations commenced. This booklet, also available from www.examinations.ie,

https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/BI-CA-60294532.pdf explains the marking, viewing and appeals and post-appeals processes in an accessible question and answer format. Candidates should adhere to the instructions provided in order to ensure that they lodge valid requests for viewing marked scripts and appealing results.

Access to Examination Scripts

Under a ruling by the European Court of Justice, examinations scripts are now classified as personal data and accordingly candidates can seek copies of their scripts. Data access requests for scripts may be made to the SEC but it could take up to 90 days from the issue date of the Leaving Certificate results, or longer if they appeal, before a candidate receives a copy of their script under the Data Protection legislation. By the time they receive a copy of the script, the opportunity to appeal the result will have passed.

Candidates need to be aware that the only opportunity that they will have to access their written examination scripts in advance of the appeal application closing date is to apply to view their script at one of the three Viewing of Scripts sessions taking place on the 31st August and 1st September.

Under a new initiative this year, candidates viewing scripts are allowed to bring a mobile phone, tablet or digital camera with them to the viewing session in order to make a copy of their own script(s).

Viewing of Marked Scripts

This free service offers all candidates the opportunity to view one or more of their marked examination scripts to see how the marking scheme has been applied to their work. Candidates do not need to have viewed their script to make an appeal but anyone considering an appeal is strongly advised to view their scripts first. As in previous years, candidates must attend the viewing session themselves, accompanied by a person of their choice, and, this year, can bring a mobile phone, tablet or digital camera with them to the viewing session in order to make a copy of their own scripts.

With the exception of external candidates, all applications for Viewing of Marked Scripts should be made through the candidate’s school. The closing date for receipt of completed application forms in schools is Tuesday 21st August 2018.

Appeals

To appeal a result, Leaving Certificate candidates should use the On-line Appeal Application Service on www.examinations.ie. This service, which allows candidates convenient access to making and paying for an appeal, will be available from 12 midday on Monday 20th August until 5pm on Monday 3rd September.

Access to the service is via examination number and the previously issued PIN and at the end of the transaction the candidate will be provided with an Appeal Confirmation Form showing the subjects which they have opted to appeal. In order to make a valid appeal, they must return this form to the school where they sat their examinations. The appeal application is only complete if the form is returned to the school and candidates have until the evening of Monday 3rd September to do so.

Candidates who took the Leaving Certificate Applied programme can obtain a personalised appeal application from their school.

Results of appeals will be issued in mid-October.