2,569 candidates will commence the postponed 2020 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied exams today (Monday, November 16).
The first exam, biology, will begin at 5:30pm. However, agricultural science candidates have a further wait until their exam, with it scheduled for Sunday, December 6, at 2:00pm.
The agricultural economics exam will take place a few days earlier, on December 3.
Agricultural Science is the subject with the tenth highest number of candidates, 188. Biology is the highest, with 1,003 students opting to sit the exam.
Results to be issued in February 2021
Candidates are sitting exams at 574 locations across the country. The opportunity to sit Junior Cycle exams was offered to adult learners and early school leavers and 60 candidates are due to take these exams, which also commence today.
There will be one exam each weekday evening and two exam sessions at weekends, on both Saturdays and Sundays. The Leaving cert exams will conclude on Friday, December 11, and the Junior Cycle will conclude on Monday, November 30.
Pat Burke, chairperson of the State Examinations Commission (SEC), said: “This year has been particularly difficult and stressful for Leaving Certificate candidates and their families in these unprecedented times; amidst the Covid-19 pandemic when the holding of exams was cancelled for the first time in the history of the state and an alternative to state examinations, the calculated grade, was introduced.”
Speaking today, Minister for Education Norma Foley said:
“I would like to wish those of you starting your Leaving Certificate the very best of luck. This has been an incredibly challenging year for you and I know that you never envisaged sitting the exams under these unusual circumstances.
“I have no doubt that you have put in many days and nights of hard work and I really hope that work finally pays off for you over the coming weeks.
As a teacher, I understand how significant these exams are. They are the culmination of work done not just this year, but during your entire education leading up to now.
“There is an exciting world of opportunity ahead with more options open to you than ever before whether you are interested in focusing on a skill, a trade, a traineeship, or going to college or university.
“If you are feeling anxious or nervous today, that’s completely normal. Embrace it, do your best and I’m sure you will perform to the very best of your ability.”