More students expected to get higher grades as Junior Cert bands changed

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

More students are expected to get higher grades as a result of Junior Cert band changes, the Minister for Education said.

Helen McEntee said the changes will apply to the 73,000 students due to sit their junior cycle State exams in the coming weeks.

Ms McEntee said the changes would be “more reflective” of students’ and teachers’ school work.

The new system sees marks of 85 per cent or above earn a Distinction, instead of 90 per cent or above.

A Higher Merit is 70-84 per cent, instead of 75-90 per cent, and a Merit is 55 per cent to 70 per cent, rather than 55 per cent to 75 per cent.

The grade bands for Achieved, Partially Achieved and Not Graded remain unchanged.

Ms McEntee said she was “delighted” to confirm the changes, which she said would result in more students receiving distinctions and higher merits.

“With the top four grade bands now becoming evenly distributed, this will have a positive impact on students, ensuring their grades are more reflective of their work and effort, as well as of the work of our teachers,” she said.

“It can be expected that higher numbers of students will achieve Distinction and Higher Merit grades with this change.

“While today I am announcing changes to the grade bands for students in 2025 and future years, they remain sufficiently broad to ensure that students can focus on learning and engaging in school, and on becoming independent, resourceful and confident learners, rather than focusing solely on examinations.

“It is vital that students, their learning and engagement remains at the heart of Junior Cycle.”

A final report based on a longitudinal study on the enactment of the Junior Cycle Framework, by University of Limerick and commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is being considered by the NCCA Council.

Ms McEntee said: “I look forward to receiving the final report of the Longitudinal Study on Junior Cycle in the near future.

“I have written to the NCCA emphasising that where action is needed, I intend to move quickly, both in the interests of students as well as teachers, to ensure there is continuous improvement in the Junior Cycle experience.”