Over 136,000 students to sit their Junior and Leaving cert exams

The Leaving and Junior Cycle exams kick off on Wednesday morning with English up first for both cohorts.

More than 136,000 students will sit this years State Examinations which run from today until the 25th of June.

The majority of this years Leaving Cert students would've been in second year when they entered hybrid learning due to the pandemic.

Students are being advised to know their timetables and be sure to eat well over the next three weeks.

The Teachers Union of Ireland President, David Waters, says the students have already overcome lots of challenges.

"For this particular cohort, they are one of the Covid years. For students, sometimes we don't give them enough credit for how resilient they can be.

"They have overcome quite a stressful period already, so they have that in their back pocket, and they should remember that."

ASTI President, Geraldine O'Brien says aftercare is very important.

"They will feel exhausted. It is important for them to take some tie for themselves, be kind to themselves, relax, read a book.

"Avoid any post-morterms. What is done is done. Don't stress yourself that you didn't answer a question. For me, I would say don't do any post mortems after the exam."

Minister for Education Norma Foley said “I am pleased to have the opportunity to send very best wishes to all students beginning their Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle exams today.

"It’s the culmination of many, many years of hard work from all of you. I know those years have been challenging, they’ve been daunting and they’ve been demanding, but you have seen it through right to the very end. So today and over the coming days, give it your very very best. Good luck to you all.”

This year’s Leaving Cert candidates will be the final cohort to benefit from a “postmarking adjustment” which will keep average results in line with the high levels of recent years.