Leaving Certificate Results – Confusion and Disappointment for Many Students with the Predicted Grade System

Confusion and disappointment surrounded many students who received their Leaving Certificate results today.

While on paper there was a 5% increase in top grades, many students felt that the system had impacted them negatively.

Schoolyards were notably devoid of teens comparing results, as most chose to use digital results to comply with public health guidelines.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Co Mayo’s Oisin Browne said: “Personally, he gutted me this morning.

“I got 552 so I should be happy, but I feel really bad.

“I know that I will not get my first choice course as a result.

“For example, I got an H1 in my business simulation and I got an H2 today, and in the story I also got an H2 where I felt I deserved an H1.

“I know a lot of people are over the moon or at least happy with their results, and I’m really delighted by them, but for people like me we can’t say until we see the teachers’ estimates.”

Sophie, 18, of Wexford is another student who felt the system had failed her.

She said: “I am grateful for the 400 points, don’t get me wrong, but it seems we already know that the infirmary will probably be inflated this year, which scares me.

“I obtained consecutive H1 and H2 in English and Biology and in my results I obtained an H3.

“I would be lying if I said that I was not angry. I just want to know where that note came from. “

And a student at the posh Ashfield College in Dublin said the system has been “absolutely horrible” and worries that private school students have been treated differently.

He told the Irish Mirror: “It is absolutely horrible the way they have predicted the Leaving Cert.

“I attended a private school in grades 5 and 6 and I feel like they didn’t take us into consideration at all.

“Friends from my old school received 613 points, 550, etc. for not even trying and skipping classes.

“How is that fair?

“I feel like they were so afraid of giving private schools good grades that they actually put us at a disadvantage.

“I am concerned about whether we will be heard, as we are a minority compared to public schools.

“If my LC results from this morning hold up, I will not be my first choice, even though I put my heart and soul into this year.”

He added that other students at the school felt the same and that: “We are only praying in social networks, the department, the calls listen to us.”

Fortunately for others, it was a very positive experience and most importantly the end of a tremendously turbulent school year.

Alexandra Mangan from Malahide told the Irish Mirror: “It is good to finally be able to close that chapter of our lives.

“I’m going to NCAD, I had already made a portfolio and they accepted me, so I only needed two H5s to enter.

“I think the whole process made people realize that the Leaving Cert needs to be reworked, there needs to be a Plan B in case something like the pandemic happens again.”

Sam O’Gara was another happy student and said: “Happy with my results, some subjects were a bit generous in my grade, others I know I could have done better, but still happy. Stress levels have been high for a few days. “

Statistics published by the Department of Education show that the results are almost 5% higher than in other years.

The calculated scores saw a 4.4% increase overall than last year, according to the Department of Education.

In higher-level jobs, the proportion of H1 grades awarded increased 3% compared to last year, from 5.9% of the total to 8.9%.

The proportion of H1 and H2 ratings awarded increased by 5%, from one in five (20.9%) to one in four (25.9%).

At the ordinary level, the number of O1 and O2 ratings awarded has increased by 3.5%.

The increase in top grades varied across subjects, with one of the smallest increases being for Higher English level, which increased by only 1.3%.

At the other end of the scale, 8.5% of Higher Level Art students will receive an H1, compared to just 3.2% last year.

Nearly 30% of those who studied higher applied mathematics will receive an H1, compared to just 16.5% last year, while nearly 42% of the 48 students who studied Latin will receive an H1 compared to just 18 , 5% last year.

You can contact the Leaving Certificate Student Helpline at 1800265165.

This helpline will operate until September 16 after the first round of the CAO is offered and is comprised of qualified guidance counselors.

More details can be found at https://www.npcpp.ie/leaving-cert-helpline.