New dates for Leaving Certificate written exams announced; Exams will start on 16 November

People had started adjusting with the new way of living and thus, the government started to reopen schools, colleges and other important sectors of the society.

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, has announced the postponed Leaving Certificate written exams will happen from November 16. The exams will happen during the evenings and on the weekends.

The exams were postponed on May 8, with the idea of a Calculated Grade system under the assessment of a teacher for each subject along with a standardization from the Department of Education. But the Calculated Grade scheme was not a success because of many reasons.  

The Living Certificate exam are for those who didn’t received Calculated grades, because they weren’t having a teacher in a particular subject and also for the one who opted to sit them instead of receiving a Calculated Grade.

The postponed Living Certificate exam won’t be having any oral exams or practical assessments, instead it will be having only written examinations.

The ones, who were dissatisfied with the Calculated Grade assessment they received can also opt for the written exams. The Calculated Grade are due to be announced on September 7.

The month of November will also be witnessing the Junior Cycle examination for adults and early school leavers.

The minister in her announcement said that these November written exams will be based on the normal question paper format.

If the students, who opt for the written exams because of a poor Calculated Grade and are unhappy with the new results, they can keep their Calculated Grades instead of the new result.

The SEC will mark coursework, which had been completed before the school closure and these marks will be added in the grading five subjects, which are:

• Home Economics (already marked by the SEC);
• LCVP Portfolio;
• Design and Communication Graphics;
• Physical Education (PE) Physical Activity Project;
• Engineering.

More details, including the timetable and the seating arrangements will be announced shortly by the State Examination Commission (SEC).

The schedule details and final arrangements will be decided in parts after finalizing the number of students, this could happen only after publishing the Calculated Grade, on September 7.

The Minister Foley said it wanted to provide certainty regarding some elements of the examinations in the interim, to allow students considering sitting these examinations to prepare for them.