Leaving Cert: ‘It requires a lot of mental energy to sit a full exam paper’
Kat Ruane (18) has ADHD and dyspraxia, and finds it hard to manage the timings of exams
Second Level
News and advice on the second-level education system.
On the Leaving Cert: Students do best when they can choose subjects that best suit them
A broad education is important, especially in the early years, but by senior cycle many students are ready to build on their strengths
Leaving Cert: It’s time to relax, recover and recharge
Okay, it was a short week, but it probably didn’t feel like that for anyone sitting the tests.
Leaving Cert maths, paper one: A song and dance about a bum note
Students were generally relieved with an approachable higher-level maths paper one, but the element of choice allowed them to swerve trickier questions, teachers said.
Leaving Cert geography: Students generally pleased but some difficult questions
Students sitting the Leaving Certificate geography exams were happy with a paper that rewarded preparation while avoiding unexpected questions, teachers have said
Leaving Cert: ‘You just have to go with the child that’s in front of you’
When it comes to our Junior Cycle students, it’s all about continued support and motivation
Leaving Cert: ‘If I don’t do good, then it maybe sets a tone for the rest of my siblings’
Momin Bari is studying seven higher-level subjects and also French at ordinary level
Leaving Cert English paper two a ‘thought-provoking’ paper with ‘no curveballs’
Paper two challenged candidates but was ‘manageable’, teachers say
Fiachna Ó Braonáin’s Leaving Cert: ‘I stayed up very late at night, drinking coffee and cramming’
The musician and broadcaster sat the exams in the summer of 1984
The Leaving Cert according to a guidance counsellor: ‘Their brains have been working so hard ... they need to get fresh air’
Guidance counsellor says students should focus ‘on what they know’ rather than what they feel they do not
The Leaving Cert is dense, demanding and far superior to the UK’s A-levels
With its seven, maybe eight subjects, the Leaving Cert cherishes the value of the generalist. In the UK, a 16-year-old may be studying just three
Leaving Cert home economics paper was ‘unpredictable and will leave some with mixed emotions’
‘Accessible’ higher level paper ‘fully aligned with the syllabus’ across ‘wide range of topics’
Leaving Cert: One down, half-a-dozen or so days to go
Thank you to each of the students, parents and teachers who have shared their views with us
Leaving Cert English paper one a ‘lovely’ exam, teachers say
Students relieved and happy after sitting test with ‘terrific’ essay options and variety in reading comprehensions
Cancer survivor wonders can she keep getting invalidity pension when her maternity benefit starts?
Work Q&A: I’m recovering from breast cancer treatment and expecting in July. Can I keep receiving both payments?
My Leaving Cert: ‘Remembering the fun, very silly, happy-go-lucky people we were is like a warm hug’
Erin McGreehan, TD for Louth
Leaving Cert: ‘Even though it’s foundation maths it’s still very stressful’
Grace McNamara (18) is hoping to do well in English and history
Leaving Cert: Just one more sleep to go
Classroom to College: If you are a student, parent or teacher, we have the news, views and information for you
‘Kids after Leaving Cert English look punch drunk’: teacher has his say ahead of ‘tough’ first exam
Sheer amount of handwriting required in answers can make heads – and hands – ache
‘I’m going to do medicine’: Student who left school in second year now aiming for top LC points
Kayleigh Quinn says a comment from a psychiatrist pushed her to do the Junior Cycle exams, which has now led to tackling the Leaving
My Leaving Cert: The school secretary took me to lost property and kitted me out with a new uniform
Author Liz Nugent sat her Leaving Certificate in 1985 and still has nightmares about it
‘Every day feels exhausting’: Four students confront China’s high-stakes college entrance exams
Four Chinese students on sitting the gaokao, a challenging national test that will shape their futures
Leaving Cert: How can you, or your child, best get through the next fortnight?
More than 100,000 households begin the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams this week. Yes, we said it, because if one person is sitting the June exams, everyone in the family is.
Leaving Cert: ‘I would much rather wear my comfy clothes’ in the exam hall
Eoin Murphy found you sometimes can’t win as a Leaving Cert student, such as when you get too much sun
My Leaving Cert: ‘I was upset with a performance anxiety-related false start’
Fionnuala Moran, broadcaster, sustainability influencer and DJ
Leaving Cert: 10 tips for parents supporting an exam student this month
Pointers on how best to help and encourage a son or daughter in what can be a stressful period
Leaving Cert and diabetes: ‘I used to be going constantly in and out of class, going to the first aid room’
Danny Goff is the eldest child in his house - a positive and a negative when it comes to exam pressure
Inside a Quaker-ethos secondary school in Ireland: ‘There is a high expectation of good behaviour’
There are currently 86 boarders in Newtown School in Waterford City, with more than half from abroad
‘An amazing opportunity’: Science student’s journey from failing chemistry to TU Dublin
High costs put tutoring out of reach for many students but jumpAgrade, a free tuition service, is changing that for some
Did you hear? The Leaving Cert exams are just around the corner
This week in The Irish Times, Conversations with Parents brings you a special episode to help parents and students navigate the next few weeks
Leaving Cert 2026: How to manage the days before the exam and how to tackle the papers
Exam-day performance is determined by physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as preparedness in the subject
Hear and Dare: Your questions answered at this stage of CAO process
Hear and Dare connect students to supports including financial assistance, academic guidance and orientation
Why summer before sixth year matters for students considering UK university
Applications for UK universities take longer and involve more planning compared to CAO’s
How a PLC course can forge your path in education after the Leaving Cert
Post Leaving Cert courses can act as a stepping stone to university and the world of work
Enrolments in primary schools set to fall significantly, Department of Education says
Student numbers at first year in second level also starting to decline but there will be significant local variations, briefing document says
With my daughter planning to go to college, what financial supports are available?
Ask Brian: Maintenance grants and fee grants are available to eligible undergraduate students
Are you a parent? The reason teaching is falling apart might hurt your feelings
Secret Teacher: Children’s general level of intelligence and attention spans have plummeted
Classroom to College: When it comes to education, we all have different targets and priorities
We will be running a series of interviews with Leaving Cert students and their parents before, during and after the exams
What is Senior Assassin – the game Leaving Cert students are obsessed with?
Leaving Cert students in desperate need of diversion have embraced the viral game during their last few weeks of secondary school
Leaving Cert 2026: Tell us about how everything is going and how you are feeling
There is so much to prepare for, and plenty to digest in the aftermath, too – if you can imagine a world where this is actually over!
‘Could my son lose a college offer if CAO details incorrect?’
Parents should ensure that the correct Leaving Cert number is recorded when the Central Applications Office email arrives
Covid and school closures
The official ‘schools are safe’ mantra was patently false to those living it
Final countdown: Exam survival guide for Junior and Leaving Cert students (and parents)
It is normal for students to feel stressed coming up to the written papers. Here are some simple tips that can help you to dial down the anxiety
‘I didn’t know anybody who had gone on to college and barely knew anybody who had a Leaving Cert‘
‘Our learners are as smart as people in mainstream education; they just needed the chance’
Educators should adopt trust-based approach to AI in schools, committee hears
Co-ordinators of a proactive artificial intelligence schools programme in Estonia tell of their experience
Parent-led campaign to push for legislation guaranteeing right to Irish language education
Ireland should follow Wales and compel Department of Education to plan proactively to increase Irish-medium education provision, campaigners say
Preparing to move from primary school to secondary starts now, not in September
A new school can feel like an alien experience. Everything is different
‘My dyslexic son refuses to engage with school support services. Should I force the issue?’
Accepted Dare applicants receive the support of the university disability services throughout their college years
Secret Principal: ‘There is no training that could equip you for this role’
I have attended group counselling for principals to bolster my personal armour. It was of little help
Ten years of Leaving Cert politics and society: ‘Taking turns rowing the lifeboat’
The subject gives students an opportunity to be active participants in discussion and start developing their citizenship
Science teachers offered old telephone box to store chemicals, equipment and students’ work
Teachers express concern they do not have adequate training, resources or facilities for laboratory-based research
‘Living pay cheque to pay cheque’: Teachers feel pinch of cost-of-living crisis
Recent pay rises leave teachers feeling they amounted to ‘half or less than half’ rate of inflation’
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