Leaving Cert 2025 Signals Gradual Return to Academic Normalcy

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has initiated a gradual return to pre-pandemic grading standards for the 2025 Leaving Certificate, marking a critical step in addressing the issue of grade inflation that has affected academic assessments since the onset of COVID-19. The commission’s adjustments aim to realign grades closer to those of 2019, after a significant increase in results during 2020 and 2021.

In the years following the pandemic, the SEC implemented measures that artificially inflated grades, a process that continued through to 2024. The results from this year, however, indicate a shift toward moderation, as authorities begin to recalibrate the grading system that had seen a surge in high marks. The SEC intends to avoid a sudden drop in grades, which could lead to discontent among students, educators, and parents alike.

In statements made by Norma Foley, the former education minister, the SEC outlined a phased approach to returning to normalcy. The commission has committed to ensuring that the overall results in 2025 will remain “broadly midway” between the inflated results of 2020 and 2021. It is projected that the overall results will exceed 2019 levels by at least 5.5 percentage points on average.

Adjustments and Grade Distribution

To facilitate this transition, the SEC applied a universal post-marking adjustment to all subjects. This adjustment, which has become a standard practice since 2022, resulted in an average increase of 6.8% to the corrected exam scripts. Notably, around 229,275 grades out of a total of 438,000 were elevated, representing approximately 52% of all grades issued this year.

Despite the overall moderation, the percentage of students receiving top grades remains exceptionally high. For instance, 11.7% of higher-level grades were awarded an H1, which translates to the highest mark for students achieving over 90%. While this figure is a decrease from 14.3% in 2024, it remains significantly higher than the 5.9% recorded in 2019.

The SEC’s chairwoman, Jacinta Stewart, emphasized the importance of transparency in the grading process. She encouraged students to utilize the Candidate Self Service Portal, which will be available from next Tuesday, to view detailed information about their component marks and the effects of the post-marking adjustment.

Implications for College Admissions

As students now await the first round of college place offers from the Central Applications Office (CAO) on the following Wednesday, the implications of this year’s results on CAO cut-off points remain uncertain. The transition back to more normalized grading standards could significantly impact students’ prospects, particularly given the demographic shifts and changing demand for college placements.

The ongoing adjustments reflect an effort to maintain academic standards while avoiding the pitfalls of abrupt changes that could disadvantage current students compared to their peers from 2020 to 2024. As the SEC continues to navigate this complex landscape, the balance between ensuring fairness and restoring academic integrity remains a paramount concern.

The path to returning to a balanced grading system is a challenging one, but the SEC’s cautious approach aims to restore faith in the examination process, ensuring that students receive grades that accurately reflect their abilities without compromising educational standards.