Almost 74,000 students across Ireland are receiving their Junior Cycle results on Wednesday, marking the fourth year that candidate numbers have surpassed the 70,000 threshold. Schools can access the grades digitally through the State Examinations Commission (SEC) Schools Portal and issue them to students, while candidates can also check their scores directly on the SEC Candidate Self Service portal.
More students sit exams as distinctions rise
A total of 73,879 candidates sat the exams this year, representing a slight increase compared to the 73,336 students who took the tests in 2025. In Carlow and Kilkenny alone, about 2,000 students are collecting their scores. Nationwide, the SEC is issuing more than 651,000 individual grades across 21 subjects. About 8.6 per cent of all grades secured a Distinction, while just over 30 per cent achieved a higher Merit. The proportion of grades classed as partially achieved or not graded decreased compared to the previous year.
Reformed curriculum introduces revised grade bands
Wednesday marks the fifth year of the reformed Junior Cycle curriculum for all students, a system that combines classroom-based assessments with final examinations. Traditional letter grades like A, B, and C have been replaced by descriptors such as Distinction, Higher Merit, and Merit. This year also marks the first time that revised grade bands—where the top four grade descriptors are distributed evenly in bands of 15 percentage points—were incorporated directly into the normal marking process rather than applied afterward through a technical intervention.
Most subjects are examined at a Common level, with the exception of Irish, English, and Mathematics, which retain Higher and Ordinary levels. The French paper drew particular scrutiny from educators this year. Elizabeth Lyne, a teacher, described the Common level French exam as an “absolute horror show,” noting that a question about pocket money confused students and arguing that the lack of differentiation harms weaker language learners. Results show that 9.8 per cent of students achieved a distinction in French, up from 8 per cent last year, though the proportion of students not graded increased slightly to 1.4 per cent.
Richie Bell praises examination fairness and safety
ASTI President Richie Bell offered congratulations to students receiving their outcomes, noting that completing the Junior Cycle provides young people with their first experience of state examinations. Bell highlighted the transparency and fairness of Ireland’s examination process, which places the national education system among high-performing international peers for quality and equity. He also urged students celebrating their milestones to keep themselves and their friends safe while staying in communication with parents and guardians.
How students access Junior Cycle results?
How can students access their Junior Cycle results?
Schools can access the results through the State Examinations Commission Schools Portal and distribute them to students. Candidates can also check their individual scores directly on the SEC Candidate Self Service portal.
How many students sat the Junior Cycle exams this year?
A total of 73,879 candidates sat the examinations nationwide, a slight increase from the 73,336 students who took the tests in 2025.
Which subjects are examined at Higher and Ordinary levels?
All Junior Cycle subjects are examined at a single Common level, except for Irish, English, and Mathematics, which offer both Higher and Ordinary level papers.
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