Leaving certificate students can access their results online from 10am this morning – many schools are also hoping their students will call in to meet with guidance counsellors and teachers later in the morning.
More than 61,000 students sat the exams this year.
They include 12,452 who opted for the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and a further 3,051 who followed the Leaving Certificate Applied.
The results this year have been adjusted to ensure that the class of 2022 are not at a disadvantage compared to 2021 when the results were a blend of exam or grades awarded by teachers.
This model was used because of disruption caused by Covid restrictions.
This year’s outcomes are no lower than those of last year at an aggregate level, and the State Examinations Commission said that the grade profile at each level is similar to that of 2021.
However it said grade profiles do vary across subjects and are not identical to last year.
The SEC hopes to contain grade inflation.
Colleges are not happy with the process as it means they will have so many applicants with the maximum points of 625 course places will have to be awarded based on random selection.
A significant number of students with top CAO points of 625 failed to secure places on courses they had chosen last year.
This year also saw competency in four languages – Polish, Portugese, Lithuanian and Mandarin Chinese – examined for the first time.
First round college offers will be available on September 8th.
As students consider their results and options today the Leaving Certificate candidate helpline, which is provided by the National Parents Council Post-Primary, will be available for students to reach a guidance counsellor with any queries that they may have.
This will operate from 2pm-8pm on Friday 2 September until Wednesday 14 September and is staffed by qualified guidance counsellors. The helpline can be contacted on 1800 265 165.
The State Examinations Commission Candidate helpline is available for queries relating to the Candidate Self Service Portal and the services provided through the portal.
The helpline can be contacted at 1800 111135 or 1800 111136 from 10am to 5pm from 2 September to 12 September.
Outside of these hours queries may be e-mailed to [email protected]. A range of wellbeing resources developed by the National Educational Psychological Service is also available at www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate
Schools have been asked to provide support to candidates on results day, by allowing them to come to the school if they wish to at a scheduled time, to meet with members of the Student Support Team such as Guidance Counsellors, Year Heads, Tutors and Chaplains.
These planned interactions with candidates are intended to support wellbeing and to discuss future education and career options.
Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is urging students across the country to use its services when they get their leaving cert results in the morning.
The charity said it runs free support groups most evenings at 6pm and a free ‘Thought Catcher’ online mood diary every day from 2pm until 8pm where people can post about how they’re feeling about their results. The charity stated that young people might be feeling happy, disappointed, or overwhelmed with their leaving cert results but may need support to manage their mental health during this period.
The Charity says many students find this transition a challenge whether it’s first year of college, a year abroad, going straight into the workplace or repeating the year. Turn2Me offers free, professional mental health services 365 days a year for people over the age of 12 in Ireland.
The charity also advises parents that if the student is disappointed with their results offering support and moving to the next phase is helpful whether it’s repeating, going to a study coach, doing a pivot course to another course, or considering another career path. It’s important to emphasise that today, there are so many other options available to people. The Leaving Cert isn’t the only gateway to success according to Turn2Me.
