Oral exams for Leaving Cert English: How will they work?
Oral presentations are increasingly being used at third level in response to AI – and secondary schools are set to follow suit
Leaving Certificate
Discover the latest updates on the Leaving Cert syllabus, with news and adivce on exams, results and your educational journey
Leaving Cert students to face oral exams in English under sweeping changes
Draft plan would see candidates quizzed on plays or books at end of fifth year
I got a D in pass maths in the Leaving Cert but I addressed the Society of Actuaries in Ireland dinner
Róisín Ingle: I worried that my after-dinner talk was too grim, but my speech – especially the death content – went down well
Grind schools create an injustice at the heart of Ireland’s education system
Unthinkable: How fair are the State exams if some students can buy an advantage in the form of specialised tuition?
My son is anxious about the Irish orals. How can we help him prepare?
Immersion in the language is key – as is understanding the structure of the assessment
Teachers seek indemnity from legal actions over students’ improper AI use in Leaving Cert
Failure to disclose use of tools such as ChatGPT may result in loss of marks for candidates
Q&A: Why are teachers worried about AI and the Leaving Cert?
Teachers' union seeks legal indemnity to protect members who must authenticate students' work
CAO applications: Maths and statistics up 20% this year, according to data
Large number of students to compete for places on courses in health subjects, veterinary science and law
My son’s teachers have expressed alarm at new Leaving Cert reforms. How will they affect him?
Research projects worth 40% will roll out across a number of subjects for students starting fifth year in September
Inflated Leaving Cert results set to drop for first time in five years
Class of 2025 students will be at disadvantage compared to those with bumper grades in recent years
Home economics is losing students who are learning little to no practical cookery. Why?
It is a make-or-break moment for reform of a Leaving Cert subject which teaches pupils vital life skills
Should bonus points for higher-level maths in the Leaving Cert be scrapped? An academic and a student debate
Students who achieve 40 per cent in higher level maths are entitled to 25 bonus points from the CAO. But while some teachers warn of unintended consequences, many students feel it’s a fair reflection of the extra work required
My daughter wants to drop a foreign language in the Leaving Cert. Should she?
It is worrying that continental language take-up at Leaving Cert level is dropping
Leaving Cert reforms ‘favour children of affluent families’
Labour TD Eoghan Kenny hits out at rushed changes while Helen McEntee says ‘huge amount’ of consultation work done
My son is worried about getting into college. Can he avail of reduced CAO points?
Access routes provide a pathway into college for more vulnerable students
My son did poorly in the mocks and is now very worried. How can I get him on the right track?
It’s much better to make mistakes now rather than in June. There’s plenty of time to use the experience positively over the coming months
CAO 2025: College application numbers set to reach record high
Significant increase may place upward pressure on high-demand CAO points courses
Irish-language exemptions: ‘It’s all firefighting and band-aids, instead of a sensible approach’
Critics say there is an urgent need to overhaul how we teach Irish following a century of failure
Can you really get on a college degree course without CAO points?
Yes, tertiary degrees are an exciting new option which are opening doors for students of all ages
The debate: Are Irish language exemptions given out too freely?
Over 20,000 students who had exemptions from studying Irish at second level on the grounds of literacy difficulties were studying other languages
‘My 15-year-old son hates going to school and is not doing any homework’
Ask the Expert: ‘I’m not sure what to do with him. Should I just let him continue the way he is?’
How can I make sure my son has filled out his CAO form correctly?
Watch out for a piece of correspondence which lands in May. It is crucial to a successful application
Most secondary teachers will struggle to authenticate students’ work under Leaving Cert reforms, survey finds
Exam integrity will be compromised by access to artificial intelligence tools, ASTI says
As a visually impaired Leaving Cert student, I feel ignored, frustrated and voiceless
Students with visual impairments should be able to access modified or enlarged mock State exam papers
My daughter is in a panic over CAO course selections. How can I guide her in the right direction?
Researching options, planning for challenges and having passion for the subject are key
Leaving Cert 2.0: What to expect from the reformed senior cycle
Students starting fifth year in September will be the first to experience sweeping changes
Key dates for 2025 CAO applications: from early-bird applications to Leaving Cert appeals
The essential calendar for this year’s Leaving Cert students and CAO applicants
Seven factors to consider when making your college application
Applying for college this year? Whether applying for a course at home or abroad, here’s all you need to know
It’s time to get rid of the damaging Leaving Cert points race
Unrestricted access to third level education in Ireland would allow schools to educate holistically and give pupils a chance to flourish in the subjects they enjoy most
I worry that if my son doesn’t apply to the CAO he will limit his options
Parental expectations can – unintentionally – distract students and distort course choices
CAO system should be changed to match Leaving Cert reforms, education experts say
Apprenticeships and new tertiary degrees could be combined into a single applications system, says Department of Education advisory board
The first Leaving Cert 100 years ago: girls-only exams, botany tests and imperial measures
The biggest reforms to the exam in a century are due to roll out later this year. Are schools ready for the challenge?
We need a Donogh O’Malley-style figure to deliver on the promise of a reformed Leaving Cert
Broadening the range of learning and assessment at senior cycle has the potential to provide pathways for all students to realise their full potential
My daughter struggles with school but loves fixing things. Would an apprenticeship suit her?
CAO points are not a requirement for the thriving engineering sector which provides excellent career opportunities
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