With exam times just about upon us we look at what options Leaving Cert students have for this year’s examinations.

After last year’s Leaving Cert was cancelled due to Covid, students this year were given the option between ‘SEC accredited grades’ and sitting the written exam papers.

So, what are SEC accredited Grades?

These are a new name for calculated grades, accredited by the State Examination Commission (SEC).

SEC accredited grades were brought in last year due to the cancellation of written exams. These calculated grades see students receive a grade from their subject teacher based on their performance during the school year, “taking cognisance of likely performance in all aspects of an examination including, where relevant, oral, practical and coursework components and tasks” according to the Department of Education.

The results are then standardised at a national level. This is an attempt to decrease grade inflation.

Yes, there is. This year’s students can take the SEC accredited grades, sit the leaving certificate written exams, or do both. If they decide to do both i.e., take the SEC accredited grade and sit the written exams they will be automatically awarded the higher result of the two. There is also the option for students to choose to take certain exams only and receive the SEC accredited grade on the others.

Strict social distancing rules will be in place at exams with the students also required to wear a facemask.

There have been a number of adjustments made to the papers this year to take account of the disrupted learning experienced by students during the 2019/20 school year”, including increased choice of questions and the removal of some compulsory questions.

It was confirmed recently that the results of the exams will be issued to students on Friday 3^rd of September.

Cause for Concern

With the results of the Leaving Cert exam been issued much later than previous years there is understandably much concern among students wishing to go to further and higher education as CAO offers will only be offered after this date.

Most third-level institutes have had to delay the starting dates to welcome new students. Like all year’s subsequent rounds of CAO offers will also continue until all places have been filled. Colleges often offer additional supports for students in these situations to help make up for anything they have missed.

Student accommodation is also a cause for concern as students will have their college place confirmed a good bit later than was the case in previous years.

CAO point may rise this year and that is based on two factors:

1. Places in higher and further education have not increased quick enough to accommodate the rising number of students applying.
2. Results are likely to be inflated again this year on account of accredited grades. Points requirements for courses will also have to increase to whittle down the number of students who will ultimately receive a place

Minister for Higher education, Simon Harris has announced that extra further education and training places will be created to ease the pressure on the system. However, if extra places are not added for the more popular courses point requirements will still increase.

Source: Breakingnews.ie

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