The Department of Education is to reduce the time Leaving Cert students spend in the exam hall after pressure from parents and teachers. Last year, honours students in higher-level Irish and history had to take two exams running to three hours and 20 minutes each on one day.
Last week, in response to pressure from parents and teachers, the Department told teaching unions that the practice would end.
Traditionally, Leaving Cert exams at honours level have lasted three hours, but this was extended by 20 minutes for English, Irish, history and geography two years ago.
It was thought the extra 20 minutes would help to take some of the pressure from students as many struggled to complete the exam within three hour. However, the reverse appears to have happened, with students writing flat-out to include more information.
This year, some higher-level exams in English, Irish, history and geography will again last for three hours and 20 minutes. However, students will not have to undergo two such exams in one day.